Any multiplayer PvP experience, ranging from casual iGames to professional eSports tourneys, is dependent on matchmaking algorithms. The player experience is often extensively dependent on the matchmaking. These algorithms, however, raise valid ethical concerns.
If you’re interested in learning about the ethical aspects of online matchmaking, this blog is for you. Here, we will discuss how it works in iGames, such as your mobile Rummy app, or how it creates matches on a large-scale League of Legends Championship.
What Is AI-Driven Matchmaking?
AI-driven matchmaking utilizes machine learning systems to essentially create a fair and balanced player experience. This system looks into player data and behaviour to match them with suitable opponents and/or teammates. Player skill, retention, engagement, and geographical location are also two important factors that go into algorithmic matchmaking.
It is also important to note that AI-based matchmaking is different between iGames, such as the Indian rummy app on your phone, and eGames, which include major eSports titles such as Valorant, League of Legends, and CS:GO.
The former uses a more skill-based matchmaking system (SBMM), while the latter can often focus on player retention and optimizing engagement (EOMM). Here is a table comparing the two concepts:
| Factors | SBMM | EOMM |
| Goal | Fairness and Competitive Integrity | Player Retention and Engagement |
| Focus | Skill Level | Win Streaks, Playtime, Churn Risk |
| Approach | Traditional Ranking Systems | Models to analyze Player Behaviour and adjust Matchmaking |
Table: SBMM vs. EOMM
You should also keep in mind here that many online eGames are also using SBMM to match players based on skills.
What Is the Core Ethical Dilemmas in AI-driven Matchmaking?
As in any completely AI-driven or algorithm-based system, there is a grey area in terms of ethics in online matchmaking systems as well. In what areas do these dilemmas occur? Are the systems transparent? Are they fair? Or, are they manipulating you to the benefit of the game’s public attention?
Transparency
The transparency of AI models is a concept that can be opaque and vague at times. They often operate as “black boxes”, which might even be beyond the developer’s understanding regarding how a result was reached.
In such cases, when the player loses the capacity to understand how the matchmaking decisions are made, transparency becomes a concern.
However, more developers nowadays are offering a deeper insight into how their matchmaking decision-making process operates.Epic Games, behind the fan favorite Fortnite, has discussed how its skill-based matchmaking systems work.
Fairness
Fairness is a challenge in AI-driven matchmaking systems. How so? Because, by design, AI is trained to focus on data. If the datasets reflect some sort of bias, AI can further double down on them. So, AI is only as fair as the data it is trained on.
Hence, game developers would have to focus on thorough testing and mediation of the AI systems to catch the biases on time, before they can harm players.
Manipulation
Many players have expressed that matchmaking systems in certain online games do not just pair players based on skills, but also on engagement. They have called it “psychological manipulation”. Some games adjust rewards and punish win streaks to keep players grinding for more.
Since such a system can be highly deceptive, gaming platforms are urged to be more protective of their player base and revise these systems.
Data Use
Developers collecting behavioral data from gamers are often used to churn out positive results. These include mediating player behaviour for game improvement. However, the ends do not always justify the means.
Often, the data gathered is done so without the consent of the players themselves. AI is an algorithm-based tool that only sees entities as numbers.
As you may have seen, your rummy app will often pair you up with opponents with similar levels of skill to yourself. However, this data is only collected as the game has asked you for consent at the start.
Therefore, developers are responsible for striking this balance between using player data for game improvement and respecting ethics.
Here’s a table describing how ethical concerns and matchmaking system goals can be aligned.
| Ethical Concerns | Matchmaking System Goals | Balancing Goals and Ethics |
| Prioritizing fairness in skill-based matchmaking, i.e., the experience may be less enjoyable for some players. | Ensuring that players are matched based on balanced skill-based systems. | Developers should be transparent about how the matchmaking system works. |
| Matchmaking for maximizing player engagement, i.e., addiction can be facilitated. | Systems are designed to keep players from wanting to leave the game. | Prioritizing player welfare, ensuring the system does not lead to addictive behaviour. |
| Concerns are being raised about data transparency and privacy. | Player data is gathered and evaluated to improve the game and player experience. | Enhancing players’ role in matchmaking options and settings. |
Table: Balancing Ethics and Matchmaking System Goals
How are AI-based Matchmaking Systems Affecting Player Wellbeing?
Matchmaking systems are completely driven by algorithms, leading to challenges where players feel completely lacking in agency, leaving them frustrated. High-skill players, when teamed up against players with low skill, might blame the system for losses.
Low-skill players, on the other hand, might feel powerless at constantly being matched against players with stronger skill levels, due to the skill-based team-balancing systems. This way, the matchmaking system is creating a very competitive environment, causing players to find it frustrating when trying to have a relaxing experience.
When playing on your Indian rummy app, if you are looking for a relaxing experience and are paired up with competitive opponents, the experience might feel less enjoyable, leading to a feeling of burnout.
Thus, game developers need to be more vigilant about the mental health toll of these systems on players. They must consider it their duty to protect the players.
Are There Regulatory Standards for Matchmaking Ethics in Games?
Unfortunately, there are no globally standardized regulations for ethical matchmaking in games. Different regulations exist in gaming, such as ESRB and COPPA, which primarily act to safeguard children.
However, no such safeguarding standard exists for adult gamers, who may also be affected by unfair ethical challenges of AI-based games. But more developers can be encouraged to be transparent about their AI policies, as well as being more hands-on with their AI systems.
A huge and successful example of this is the Riot Games Player Dynamics Programme. This system promotes game development by focusing on promoting healthy player interactions. It includes punishing repeated disruptive gamers, detecting player harassment, and catching AFK behaviour.
However, in the Indian iGaming landscape, the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) ensures responsible gaming practices, followed by the online rummy apps.
Final Thoughts
AI-driven matchmaking defines the modern gaming experience, be it in online multiplayer games or on notable Indian rummy platforms. However, AI itself cannot differentiate between right and wrong. So, it is up to the developers to define what is ethical and what isn’t. Positive practices, mediation, and protecting players have thus become essential.
Make Games Ethical and Engaging
Want to design an online PvP game, or a casual iGame? Look into the guidelines of how AI-based and algorithm-dependent systems in a game can be made more ethical.
So, don’t wait! Get in touch with a trusted source to get a consultation on fairness models for AI-driven game designs!
