Deadlock Dev Uses ChatGPT to Help With Matchmaking Code

Deadlock's New Matchmaking System Developed with ChatGPT

The upcoming MOBA-hero shooter game from Valve, Deadlock, has recently undergone a significant update to its matchmaking system. Valve engineer Fletcher Dunn revealed on Twitter (X) that the new system was developed using insights from the generative AI chatbot, ChatGPT. Dunn shared that he utilized ChatGPT to discover the Hungarian algorithm, which has now been implemented for Deadlock's hero selection in matchmaking.

Criticism of Deadlock's Previous MMR System

Deadlock's past matchmaking system faced substantial criticism from its community. Players expressed frustration over the matchmaking on the game's subreddit, with one user stating, "I have noticed that the more games I've been playing, naturally I get harder games with better enemies. But I never had better/equally skilled teammates." Another player added, "I know it's alpha but at the very least looking at how many games people have played would be nice. It felt like every one on my team was in their first/second game vs people who actually know what they are doing. Feels pretty bad."

In response to these concerns, a Deadlock developer addressed the community on the game's Discord server last month, stating, "the hero-based MMR one doesn't work very well [at the moment]. It'll be more effective once we finish a full rewrite of the [matchmaking] system we are working on." Dunn confirmed that the team successfully found a suitable algorithm with the assistance of generative AI.

The Role of ChatGPT in Development

Dunn has become a vocal advocate for the utility of ChatGPT, expressing his reliance on the tool by keeping a dedicated tab open in his browser. He shared, "ChatGPT has achieved an important milestone in its level of usefulness for me: I have a tab in Chrome that is reserved for it, always open." He further emphasized his enthusiasm, stating, "I'm gonna keep posting my ChatGPT wins, because this thing keeps blowing my mind, and I think there are some skeptics who don't get how amazing this tool is."

Despite his positive outlook, Dunn also acknowledged the complexities of using AI, noting, "I am kind of conflicted because it is often replacing asking the question to another human IRL, or at least tweeting it out to the virtual braintrust. I guess this is good (the whole point?), but it's just another way for computers to replace human interaction." This sentiment sparked a conversation, with one social media user responding, "I think the skepticism comes from the narrative some corporate people trying to push AI is going to replace programmers."

Understanding the Hungarian Algorithm

Algorithms are essential in sorting data based on specific parameters, rules, and conditions. In the context of gaming, algorithms help match players effectively. Dunn's request to ChatGPT was to find an algorithm suitable for a scenario "where only one side has any preferences," which led to the adoption of the Hungarian algorithm for a bipartite matching setup.

Community Reaction and Future Expectations

Despite the efforts to improve matchmaking, some fans remain dissatisfied. One user commented, "That explains why there has been a sudden increase of complaints about the matchmaking. It has been awful lately. All thanks to you fcking around on ChatGPT," while another criticized Dunn, saying, "Go work instead of publishing screenshots of ChatGPT on Twitter you fcking disgrace, millionaire company can't fix a beta game in 1 year."

At Game8, we believe Valve is on the right track with Deadlock. We are excited about the potential of the game and have shared our experiences and thoughts on its playtest in a detailed article, which you can read here.

By leveraging advanced AI tools like ChatGPT, Valve is pushing the boundaries of game development, promising a more refined and enjoyable experience for Deadlock players.