An Actual Investigation of the Manipulation & Conspiracy Behind Modern Matchmaking

Check description for details about this video. Do you value deep game design content? ► Indie Consulting: https://designframe.gg == Support Design Frame == ► If you find value in these free case studies, please consider Joining as a channel Member . It includes many great benefits, but please support primarily to allow future case studies. Link:    / @designframecasestudies   ► Also, please consider Ko-fi (higher % to me compared to Members + fewer benefits + can allocate funds to stream games): https://ko-fi.com/designframe ► Subscribe and hit the bell to be notified of each new big release! This is essential for keeping the channel alive, but only do so if you find value in this channel. ► Liking, Commenting, and Watch Time help out immensely and will help with the algorithm. Watching with YouTube Premium or without an ad blocker also helps. Any support will go a long way, even if not monetary. Regardless, I'm super grateful for each viewer who takes the time to watch! So thank you! 🙏 ► Join the Discord to build a community!   / discord   ► Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y... #matchmaking #marvelrivals #blackops6 #callofduty #activision #netease #GameDesign #GameDev #Gaming #Games #GameAnalysis #VideoEssay Game Design Case Study of modern Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM), Engagement-Optimized Matchmaking (EOMM), and NetEase's OptMatch and EnMatch in Activision's Call of Duty and NetEase's Marvel Rivals, including Bots in Quick Match PvP. 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:54 Topics 00:02:08 Important Groundwork 00:03:27 Skill-Based Matchmaking 00:03:56 Flow 00:06:50 Winnability / Uncertain Outcomes 00:07:23 ~50% Win Rates 00:12:59 SBMM in Call of Duty 00:19:04 Other Studies 00:20:34 SBMM Conclusion 00:21:00 Engagement-Optimized Matchmaking 00:23:05 Churn Risk & Match Outcomes 00:25:40 EA’s EOMM Findings 00:28:46 Flaws in Study 00:30:30 Why Use a Volatile System? 00:31:25 Applying EOMM: The Relationship Between EOMM and the Perception of Fairness 00:34:15 Activision Patent: Match Manipulation 00:36:07 What Does a “Patent” Mean? 00:36:41 The Magic Year 2019 for Call of Duty 00:37:41 How Call of Duty Uses Machine Learning to Personalize Player Engagement 00:44:04 Optimization Problem: Applying to Common Player Patterns 00:46:35 New Player Experience 00:47:55 New Player Experience in Gears of War 00:50:09 The Common Pattern 00:50:21 What Is the Pattern? 00:51:24 Call of Duty Match Data 00:53:02 Why Is This a Common Pattern? 00:54:26 Reward Systems: Intermittent Reinforcement 00:55:34 Reward Reactivity & Chasing Highs 00:57:46 More Chasing Highs 00:59:09 Highs & Lows Takeaway 01:00:45 Poorly Implemented Skill-Based Matchmaking? 01:03:56 Obfuscated Truth 01:04:58 Balance: Retention Optimization & Player Perception 01:10:34 What to Blame? The Skill-Based Matchmaking Misconception 01:14:10 Black Ops 6’s Player Drop-off 01:16:53 Beat the System? 01:18:48 Thus Far 01:19:31 Individual Player Performance Manipulation 01:19:44 Activision: Patent for Player Manipulation in Team-Based Games 01:24:51 Player Performance Alterations 01:25:14 Proving Player Alterations 01:27:35 Skill-Based Damage 01:29:18 Hit Registration 01:31:34 Hosting Too Much on Servers? 01:32:21 Black Ops 6: Netcode Tests 01:36:55 Modifying Players: Patent 01:37:32 Modifying Players: “Real-Time” 01:38:24 Modifying Players: RICOCHET 01:39:43 Accuracy Nudges & Hitbox Reduction 01:40:13 Accuracy Nudges 01:43:49 Hitbox Reduction 01:44:49 Player Performance Alterations: FAQ 01:45:09 FAQ: Impacting In-Game Elements 01:47:54 FAQ Pattern: “Time Played” 01:49:29 FAQ Conclusion 01:50:12 Microtransaction-Influenced Matchmaking 01:50:27 Activision: Patent for Driving Microtransactions in Multiplayer Video Games 01:53:11 MTX Engine: Overwatch 2 01:56:10 MTX Engine: Call of Duty 01:56:17 AI & Marquee 02:00:02 Pattern: FAQ #3 02:01:03 Higher-Skilled Players: The Short End of the Stick 02:04:44 NetEase & Marvel Rivals 02:05:23 OptMatch: Hero Matchups 02:08:34 EnMatch: Engagement Over Fairness 02:10:13 NetEase: Diverse Role Retention Analysis 02:11:58 NetEase’s Hypocrisy & Role Queue 02:16:39 Traditional Roles: More Lies & Bad Design 02:21:08 Roles & Role Queue Conclusion 02:22:53 NetEase: Collaboration Engagement 02:24:16 Activision: Likeability 02:25:33 EnMatch Test Results 02:26:11 EnMatch Conclusion 02:28:55 AI Enhanced Matchmaking Factors: Win Patterns, Roles, & Match Length 02:31:43 NetEase’s AI Enhanced Matchmaking: Conclusion 02:33:02 Solid Anecdotal Evidence 02:40:56 Netease in Practice: Bots in Quick Match 02:41:16 How to Spot Bots in Quick Match 02:43:33 Why Does Quick Match Matter? 02:45:13 Covert Bots in PvP Modes: Upsides 02:47:20 Covert Bots in PvP Modes: Downsides 03:01:24 Covert Bots in PvP: Conclusion 03:02:31 Conclusion 03:05:17 Bonus #1 03:10:53 Bonus #2