Matchmaking system and method for multiplayer video games

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10322351-B2
Application number	US-201514712514-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 14, 2015
Priority date	Jul 3, 2014
Publication date	Jun 18, 2019
Grant date	Jun 18, 2019

Abstract

A matchmaking system and method is provided that facilitates optimization of player matches for multiplayer video games. The system may provide a generalized framework for matchmaking using historical player data and analytics. The framework may facilitate automatic determinations of an optimal mix of players and styles to produce the most satisfying user experiences. The system may dynamically update analytical processes based on statistical or otherwise observed data related to gameplay at any given time. In this manner, the system may continually tune the matchmaking process based on observations of player behavior, gameplay quality, and/or other information.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computer implemented method of matchmaking players for gameplay sessions, the method being implemented in a host computer having one or more physical processors programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, cause the host computer to perform the method, wherein said host computer is in data communication with a plurality of computing devices and wherein each of said plurality of computing devices is configured to interact with an instance of a multiplayer video game, the method comprising:
identifying, by the host computer, a potential match of at least a first player and a second player to be placed in a gameplay session to play said multiplayer video game;
obtaining, by the host computer, a plurality of match variables used to assess the potential match, the plurality of match variables including at least a first match variable;
obtaining, by the host computer, a plurality of coefficients used to provide weights to corresponding ones of the plurality of match variables, the plurality of coefficients including at least a first coefficient corresponding to the first match variable, wherein the first coefficient comprises a first default value;
changing the first default value to a first tuned value;
generating, by the host computer, a match score for the potential match based on the first match variable and the first coefficient having the first tuned value;
determining, by the host computer, whether the first player and the second player should be placed in the gameplay session based a comparison of the match score to an adjusted threshold match score, wherein the adjusted threshold match score is generated by obtaining, using the host computer, at least a first wait time that indicates an amount of time that the first player has been waiting to be matched, adjusting, using the host computer, a threshold match score based on the first wait time, and comparing, by the host computer, the match score to the adjusted threshold match score; and
causing, by the host computer, the first player and the second player to be placed in the gameplay session responsive to a determination that the first player and the second player should be placed in the gameplay session.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of match variables includes a second match variable and the plurality of coefficients includes a second coefficient corresponding to the match variable, the method further comprising:
changing a second default value of the second coefficient to a second tuned value, wherein the change from the first default value to the first tuned value comprises a decrease to de-emphasize the first match variable and the change from the second default value to the second tuned value comprises an increase to emphasize the second match variable.

3. The method of claim 1 , the method further comprising:
receiving a first gameplay preference of a first player, wherein the first default value is changed to the first tuned value responsive to the first gameplay preference.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first gameplay preference is received from the first player.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first gameplay preference is obtained from a first player profile associated with the first player, wherein the first player profile is generated based on a historical gameplay of the first player.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first gameplay preference relates to a preference to play with preferred players, the method further comprising:
causing one or more match scores for one or more potential matches to be adjusted higher based on the first tuned value to increase a likelihood that the first player is matched with one or more preferred players.

7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first gameplay preference relates to a preference to play as a particular role, the method further comprising:
causing one or more match scores for one or more potential matches to be adjusted higher based on the first tuned value to increase a likelihood that the first player is matched to play as the particular role.

8. The method of claim 1 , the method further comprising:
identifying a change in circumstance related to gameplay, wherein the change from the first default value to a first tuned value is made responsive to the change in circumstance.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the change in circumstance is associated with a poor performance of the first player during gameplay, the method further comprising:
causing one or more match scores for one or more potential matches to be adjusted higher based on the first tuned value to increase a likelihood that the first player is matched with an easier opponent and/or higher skilled team mates.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the change in circumstance relates to a length of time that the first player has waited to be matched, the method further comprising:
causing one or more match scores for one or more potential matches to be adjusted higher based on the first tuned value to increase a likelihood that the first player is matched in a less amount of time compared to the first default value.

11. The method of claim 1 , the method further comprising:
obtaining one or more quality factors used to assess player satisfaction of the gameplay session; and
determining a quality of the gameplay session based on the one or more quality factors.

12. The method of claim 11 , the method further comprising:
correlating the first match variable and/or the first coefficient with the quality of the gameplay session; and
tuning the first coefficient based on the correlation, wherein the tuned first coefficient is used to match the first player and/or the second player in a subsequent gameplay session.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first match variable comprises:
a latency between the first player and the second player, a player skill level, a team composition, a presence or absence of preferred players, the first wait time that indicates the amount of time that the first player has been waiting to be matched, a location of the player, and/or one or more explicit user preferences received from the first player.

14. A system of matchmaking players for gameplay sessions, the system comprising:
a host computer, wherein said host computer is in data communication with a plurality of computing devices, wherein each of said plurality of computing devices is configured to interact with an instance of a multiplayer video game and wherein said host computer has one or more physical processors programmed by computer program instructions that, when executed, cause the host computer to:
identify a potential match of at least a first player and a second player to be placed in a gameplay session to play said multiplayer video a game;
obtain a plurality of match variables used to assess the potential match, the plurality of match variables including at least a first match variable and a second match variable;
obtain a plurality of coefficients used to provide weights to corresponding ones of the plurality of match variables, the plurality of coefficients including at least a first coefficient corresponding to the first match variable and a second coefficient corresponding to the second match variable, wherein the first coefficient comprises a first default value;
change the first default value to a first tuned value;
change a second default value of the second coefficient to a second tuned value, wherein the change from the first default value to the first tuned value comprises an increase to emphasize the first

Assignees

• Activision Publishing Inc

Inventors

• Marr Michael D
• Kaplan Keith S
• Lewis Nathan T

Classifications

• G07F17/3269

  Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine · CPC title

• G07F17/3255

  Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements · CPC title

• G07F17/3237

  about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players · CPC title

• G07F17/3227

  Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters · CPC title

• A63F2300/575

  for trading virtual items · CPC title