Valve's latest MOBA shooter, Deadlock, is undergoing significant changes to its matchmaking system, aiming to create a more balanced and enjoyable experience for players. Despite still being in early development, the game has already attracted over 150,000 players in its invite-only version, highlighting the need for a robust matchmaking system.
Current Matchmaking Challenges
The existing Matchmaking Ranking (MMR) system in Deadlock, which uses hero and lane-based metrics, has been facing issues:
- Wide skill disparities between teammates
- Inconsistent match quality
- Difficulties in accurately calibrating new players' skill levels
Valve's Response
In response to these challenges, Valve is taking several steps:
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Complete System Rewrite: A Valve developer, known as Yoshi on the official Discord, confirmed that a full rewrite of the MM [matchmaking] system is currently in progress.
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Addressing Hero-Based MMR: The current hero-based MMR system is not performing optimally. The upcoming rewrite aims to make it more effective.
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Balancing Party Play: The system will attempt to better handle scenarios where high and low MMR players queue together.
Player Experiences
Players have reported varied experiences with the current matchmaking:
- Some matches feel balanced when playing solo
- Party play often results in extreme mismatches
- New players are frequently mixed with more experienced ones, leading to uneven gameplay
Additional Game Updates
While working on matchmaking, Valve has also introduced new gameplay elements:
- Wall jumps that don't consume stamina
- Climbable ziplines replacing bounce pads
These additions aim to increase mobility and strategic options for players.
Looking Ahead
As Deadlock continues its development, Valve emphasizes that many aspects of the game, including matchmaking, are still experimental. The company is actively seeking and responding to player feedback through channels like the official Discord server.
For players and fans, these changes signal Valve's commitment to refining Deadlock's core systems before a full release. The focus on improving matchmaking suggests that competitive balance and player satisfaction are high priorities for the development team.
Stay tuned for further updates as Valve works to perfect Deadlock's matchmaking system and overall gameplay experience.