Game developers working in the online multiplayer sphere are always looking for ways to optimize lobbies and matchmaking algorithms in an effort to create an engaging competitive environment. Sometimes, the computations that put players together result in the player base grumbling a bit. Call of Duty‘s skill-based matchmaking has been called too strict by fans and pros alike. However, a new patent filed by Activision is looking into new ways to engage players in multiplayer lobbies.
While specific formulas as to how teammates and opponents are paired together remain a secret, patent documents show that developers are constantly looking at ways to shake up online lobbies. Similarly, EA recently submitted a patent for a matchmaking system that tries to examine how a player would contribute to “the quality of the game” before adding them to a specific lobby.
Activision’s new system seeks to encourage players to increase their level of engagement with a game, through a system that rewards them for inviting friends or members of a social group to play with them. The system would reward, or offer incentives, to the first player to invite someone into the game session, and from there the second player could then invite someone and receive a lesser reward or incentive.
This creates a sort of hierarchy down the line based on who invites who to a game session. Rewards could take the form of promotional items, like the Black Ops Cold War Mountain Dew skin for Adler, giving players a little something cosmetic for bringing together a squad.
While the patent looks at a number of ways this system could be implemented, the idea itself is quite player-friendly and would incentivize people to play games with friends, a feature that Genshin Impact locked behind a bit of solo gameplay.
Encouraging players to get their friends involved, and into the game’s ecosystem immediately, should lead to better player engagement if implemented correctly. The patent explains that by allowing players to add friends, it enables flexibility in matchmaking and an overall improved experience for the player.
The patent even discusses how this invitation system could have an interface that actively encourages players to invite friends to join. Thus increasing engagement. With online gaming, the game itself is important, but a large portion of the fun can be derived from interactions with teammates and friends, so leaning into that aspect could yield more engaging online play. While it remains to be seen if this will make it into any Activision titles, it offers a different perspective on how online lobbies could be formed in the future.
Source: US Patent Office
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