Deadlock Dev Uses ChatGPT to Help With Matchmaking Code

Valve's upcoming MOBA-hero shooter, Deadlock, recently overhauled its matchmaking system, leveraging the power of ChatGPT. A Valve engineer, Fletcher Dunn, publicly shared his experience using the AI chatbot to identify the Hungarian algorithm as a solution to the game's matchmaking challenges.

Deadlock's Matchmaking: From Criticism to ChatGPT Solution

Deadlock's previous MMR-based matchmaking faced considerable backlash from players. Reddit threads and Discord discussions highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with unbalanced matches, pitting experienced players against newcomers. Players frequently reported being matched with significantly less skilled teammates compared to their opponents.

Responding to this criticism, the Deadlock team committed to a complete matchmaking system rewrite. Dunn's use of ChatGPT accelerated this process, leading to the implementation of the Hungarian algorithm. He enthusiastically documented his success on Twitter (X), highlighting ChatGPT's growing utility in his workflow. He even dedicated a Chrome tab solely to ChatGPT, emphasizing its impact on his development process.

While acknowledging the benefits of rapid problem-solving with AI, Dunn also expressed some reservations. He noted that using ChatGPT sometimes replaced human interaction, whether through direct consultation or public discussions. This sparked a debate online, with some users expressing skepticism about AI replacing human programmers.

The Hungarian algorithm, a type of bipartite matching algorithm, is particularly suited to scenarios where only one side (in this case, a player's preferences) needs to be considered for optimal matching. It helps find the best possible pairings of players based on specified criteria.

Despite the improvements, some Deadlock players remain unconvinced, expressing continued frustration with the matchmaking system. Negative feedback continues to appear online, with some players directly criticizing Dunn's reliance on ChatGPT.

Here at Game8, however, we remain optimistic about Deadlock's potential. For a more in-depth look at our playtest experience and overall impressions, check out the link below!