Hello players,

Last month, we outlined in our 2024 Roadmap that we're committed to enhancing the matchmaking experience for a healthier gaming environment and promised further details on our plans.

Today, we're excited to share insights into our upcoming matchmaking updates. This Dev Letter marks the beginning of an ongoing conversation as we work with our players to create the optimal matchmaking experience.

We'll discuss the matchmaking system for the Normal Match mode, so let's delve into its intricacies, improvements underway, and our future roadmap for matchmaking.

Normal Match Matchmaking

Matchmaking for Normal Match works by intimately connecting the following elements.

Platform

• PUBG's matchmaking considers the unique context and attributes of various platforms on PC and Console. 
• To ensure smooth matchmaking, we support cross-platform play between Steam and the Epic Games Store on PC and between Xbox and PlayStation® on Console.

Player Count

• With matches accommodating up to 100 players, the player count is a crucial factor. 
• We ensure that an adequate number of players are secured and linked in every match.

Time To Match

• This refers to the duration between clicking the Play button and entering a match.

• Maximizing player recruitment for each match might result in a waiting period, and we strive to establish optimal wait times to avoid excessive delays.
  • Under certain circumstances, such as during off-peak hours, bots may substitute players if insufficient players are available.

Ping

• Ping indicates the delay between the server and the client, a critical aspect of ensuring a seamless gaming experience.
• When experiencing low network speed, players will encounter obstacles that diminish the enjoyment of the game, such as difficulty in looting or shooting accurately.
• To mitigate the impact of network latency on gameplay, we organize our servers by region.

Map Service

• With the addition of Rondo last December, we now have ten maps available.
• Providing all maps at once could diminish the matchmaking experience for players. Hence, we've implemented a customized map rotation system for each region.

Party Type / Perspective

• PUBG provides various party types and perspectives, including Solo, Duo, Squad, TPP, and FPP.
• The available party types and perspectives vary by region, and the matchmaking system is structured to optimize the matchmaking pool according to player choice.

Skill

• The matchmaking process takes into account a player's skill level and is designed to match them with others of similar skill levels.
• A player's skill level is determined by various factors such as match kills, placements, and other criteria. It is also categorized by an internal system value known as Matchmaking Rating (MMR).

The First Step for Matchmaking in 2024

Revamping the MMR System for Normal Match

• With up to 100 players per match, ensuring an adequate pool of players for matchmaking is paramount.
• Previously, our focus was primarily on securing enough players. While skill-based matchmaking proved effective with sufficient players, having fewer players led to increased difficulty for newcomers or less experienced players. Observing these outcomes, we acknowledged the need to prioritize skill-based matchmaking alongside player recruitment. In 2023, we initiated improvements to address matchmaking disparities for inexperienced players and players whose MMR was set higher than their skill level under certain conditions.
• After diligent monitoring, we observed notable improvements in the targeted segments, with players in these categories consistently returning to the game.
• Building upon this experience, we've opted to overhaul the MMR system in Normal Match, building on the steps we've taken to ensure that more players experience matchmaking that matches their skill level.

Refining the Matchmaking System

• Currently, we're focusing on enhancing skill-based matchmaking rather than solely increasing the number of players per match. We've revamped the skill-based matchmaking system to improve the gaming experience for a broader range of players. While overhauling the MMR system, we've carefully considered various factors to better segment player groups based on their experiences in Normal Match. Our efforts aim to preserve the essence of the Normal Match experience, particularly for seasoned players.
• Additionally, we continuously monitor the network latency in each region, assess matchmaking duration, and analyze metrics like the distribution of matches based on skill levels. Drawing insights from this data and player feedback, we are continuously refining the matchmaking system. By enhancing skill-based matchmaking, we aim to cultivate a positive gaming experience for all players and ensure fair competition among players of similar skill levels.
• These represent just a fraction of the changes we're implementing, and we remain committed to ongoing monitoring and necessary improvements as we progress.

Enhancing the Matchmaking Environment

We've enhanced our matchmaking structure to better accommodate new and inexperienced players.

• Thanks to your support, we celebrated our seventh anniversary last month. We've diligently endeavored to align with your interests and expectations, striving to introduce fresh experiences for existing players while enticing new players to join our community.
• However, over time, the gap between new and seasoned players has widened, presenting challenges in helping new players improve their skills and have fun at the same time.
• Based on diverse data and player feedback, we've refined our categorization and structure to ensure that new and inexperienced players are paired with similar skill-level counterparts. We hope this will facilitate a smoother transition for new players into the PUBG environment, fostering positive encounters with comparably skilled players as they progress and refine their skills.

Improving the Premade Team MMR Algorithm: Weighted Average Algorithm

We've improved the existing matchmaking structure for premade teams, transitioning from the "Maximum MMR Within the Team" formula to the "Weighted Average Algorithm."

• Background
  • Over the years, our team has continuously refined the MMR system and made several attempts to improve the formula that generates MMRs for premade teams. While the introduction of the average MMR formula initially showed promise, it became apparent that skill disparities among players were progressively widening, resulting in imbalanced matchmaking.
  • With Update 20.2 in 2022, we introduced the maximum MMR formula for premade teams. While this adjustment mitigated some issues, it increased the difficulty for less skilled players who teamed up with friends or acquaintances.
• New premade team MMR formula: Weighted Average Algorithm
  • To address these concerns, we are scrapping the formula that matches premade teams based on maximum MMR. Instead, we're implementing the Weighted Average Algorithm, which weighs the MMR of each teammate.
  • This new algorithm is designed to ensure that when players of similar skill levels team up, their collective MMR is averaged. However, if a team includes a player with a notably higher skill level, the team's overall MMR will be above the average. Additionally, the higher the player's skill level, the more their MMR will be weighted in determining the team's overall MMR.

Concluding Today's Dev Letter

Today, we discussed establishing a framework for skill-based matchmaking for Normal Match.

• Despite its invisible nature, matchmaking is a crucial component of PUBG as it encompasses many intertwined elements that significantly impact the game's enjoyment and overall quality. While it may take time to satisfy all players, we remain committed to validating the matchmaking system and transparently sharing any noteworthy progress or insights with you as we proceed.
• Sometimes, our plans resonate positively with the community and yield the intended outcomes within the game. Other times, when our efforts lead to unintended outcomes, your criticism serves as valuable feedback that prompts us to realign our focus. We'll continue to evaluate various data and player feedback, alongside drawing from our own gameplay experiences, to ensure that matchmaking maintains a healthy balance and appropriately reflects skill levels.
• We are committed to ensuring that every player eagerly anticipates entering the battlegrounds, and we look forward to sharing further updates on matchmaking in our upcoming Dev Letter.

Thank you.

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Team