Deadlock Dev Uses ChatGPT to Help With Matchmaking Code

Valve's upcoming MOBA-hero shooter, Deadlock, recently overhauled its matchmaking system, thanks to an unexpected source: the AI chatbot ChatGPT. A Valve engineer, Fletcher Dunn, revealed on Twitter (now X) that ChatGPT helped identify the Hungarian algorithm as the ideal solution for their matchmaking challenges.

Deadlock's Matchmaking Under Fire

Deadlock's previous MMR-based matchmaking faced significant criticism from players. Reddit threads highlighted widespread dissatisfaction, with players reporting consistently uneven team skill levels. Common complaints included facing highly skilled opponents while being teamed with less experienced players, regardless of their own skill level. One player stated, "I never had better/equally skilled teammates," echoing the sentiments of many.

Acknowledging the player feedback, a Deadlock developer announced a complete matchmaking system rewrite. Dunn's use of ChatGPT accelerated this process, leading to the implementation of the Hungarian algorithm. He expressed his amazement with ChatGPT's capabilities, stating, "I have a tab in chrome that is reserved for it, always open." He also plans to continue sharing his successes with the AI tool, aiming to showcase its potential to skeptics.

Dunn's reliance on ChatGPT sparked a debate. He acknowledged the potential displacement of human interaction, stating, "it is often replacing asking the question to another human IRL." This prompted responses from users concerned about AI replacing programmers.

The Hungarian algorithm, a type of bipartite matching algorithm, is particularly suited to scenarios where only one side (in this case, the player) has preferences. It aims to find the optimal match based on those preferences, ensuring fairer and more balanced gameplay.

Despite the improvements, some players remain critical, expressing frustration with the matchmaking's recent performance. Negative comments on Dunn's tweets highlight ongoing concerns.

Here at Game8, however, we remain optimistic about Deadlock's future. For a more in-depth look at our experiences with the game, please see the link below.