Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/vhosts/sevenone-esports.staging.dept42.de/httpdocs/web/app/plugins/better-wp-security/core/modules/security-check-pro/class-itsec-security-check-pro.php on line 52 Not just Skill-Based - How complex is Call of Duty's Matchmaking?
May 3, 2021
Call of Duty
Not just Skill-Based – How complex is Call of Duty’s Matchmaking?
How exactly the Matchmaking in Cold War and Warzone functions is a well-guarded secret. Several members of the community have now went on a mission to discover answers in a series of complex experiments.
The results seem to be clear: The better you play, the higher the chances that you get matched with better players. Other factors such as your internet connection seem to only play a minor role.
Complex system
Further strengthening the case for that assumption are two patents that Activision has registered in the last six years. Within those are detailed solutions of the ideal matchmaking system for their games.
Video – Call of Duty WTF Moments #6
The system seems to be extremely complex. In the patent you can see that factors like ping, skill level and preferred playstyle are compared to each other, to fit players into a matching lobby. These factors not only change after each match, their weighting also changes over time.
That means that while initially low ping might be higher valued by the matchmaking engine, skill might be valued higher after as an example you lose several matches in a row
However it is important to note that the existence of these patents does not automatically mean, that they are being used in Call of Duty.
Not just ping and skill
The system goes even further: It also analyzes your playstyle. Ideally this results in lobbies with players on different roles. Snipers get matched more often with Riflers to prevent a team of campers having to compete against a team of aggressive Run & Gun players.
It is also interesting to note, that the game also analyzes how satified you were with your past lobbies. To do so it compares your playtime in the match with your average, it supposedly also measures the psychological status of the player. How much these factors matter is unknown, but probably not as much as ping or skill.
Your skill definitely matters a lot in Call of Duty’s matchmaking. But the system uses a lot of other factors as well and can even change the weighting of those values from one match to the other. While your ping can be an important factor, the system might also just match you in a lobby with worse ping and unbalanced teams to prevent too long waiting times.
Each match changes the matchmaking values, so you can never be entirely sure what will await you in the next match.
How were your experiences in Call of Duty’s matchmaking? Join the discussion on social media or our Discord! You can also help improve our website by submitting direct feedback!
