A Valve developer recently leveraged ChatGPT to significantly improve Deadlock's matchmaking system. Facing criticism over the game's previous MMR-based matchmaking, the team sought a more effective solution. According to engineer Fletcher Dunn, a conversation with ChatGPT led to the implementation of the Hungarian algorithm. This algorithm, as recommended by the AI, addresses player concerns about uneven skill matchups.
Dunn's Twitter posts detail his interaction with ChatGPT, showcasing the AI's role in identifying the Hungarian algorithm as a suitable solution for Deadlock's specific matchmaking challenges. Player feedback on Reddit highlighted significant dissatisfaction with the previous system, citing imbalanced teams and mismatched skill levels. Players reported consistently facing opponents far exceeding their skill level, while teammates often lacked comparable experience.
The Deadlock team acknowledged these criticisms, previously announcing a complete matchmaking system rewrite. Dunn's use of ChatGPT accelerated this process, providing a solution that apparently addresses some of the key issues. He highlighted ChatGPT's increasing utility in his workflow, even dedicating a browser tab solely for interacting with the AI.
While celebrating this success, Dunn also acknowledged potential downsides, noting that relying on AI might reduce human interaction and collaboration. This sparked debate, with some questioning the potential for AI to replace programmers. However, Dunn's experience demonstrates the potential for AI to augment, rather than replace, human expertise.
The Hungarian algorithm, a type of bipartite matching algorithm, is well-suited for scenarios where one side (in this case, a player) has preferences, while the other side (teammates/opponents) needs to be optimally matched. This aligns perfectly with Deadlock's matchmaking requirements.
Despite the improvements, some players remain critical, expressing continued frustration with the matchmaking system. Negative feedback persists, suggesting that while the new algorithm represents a step forward, further refinements may be necessary to fully address player concerns. Nevertheless, the Deadlock team's innovative use of ChatGPT highlights the growing potential of AI in game development.
