ChatGPT Assists in Dating App Code Update

Valve's upcoming MOBA-hero shooter, Deadlock, recently overhauled its matchmaking system, thanks to a developer's innovative use of ChatGPT. This unexpected development has sparked both praise and criticism within the gaming community.

ChatGPT's Role in Deadlock's Matchmaking Overhaul

Valve engineer Fletcher Dunn revealed on Twitter (X) that the new matchmaking system utilizes the Hungarian algorithm, a solution he discovered through a conversation with the AI chatbot ChatGPT. Screenshots of the interaction show ChatGPT recommending the algorithm as a suitable solution for Deadlock's specific matchmaking challenges.

Addressing Previous Matchmaking Concerns

Deadlock's previous MMR-based matchmaking had drawn considerable flak from players. Reddit threads are filled with complaints about unevenly skilled teams, with players frequently facing significantly more experienced opponents while their teammates lacked comparable skill. One player commented on the disparity, stating, "I get harder games with better enemies, but never equally skilled teammates." Another echoed this sentiment, highlighting the frustrating experience of facing highly skilled opponents while on a team of seemingly new players.

Following this criticism, a Deadlock developer acknowledged the issues on the game's Discord server, promising a complete rewrite of the matchmaking system. Dunn's use of ChatGPT appears to have yielded a significant improvement, leading him to declare ChatGPT a valuable tool, even reserving a dedicated browser tab for it. He's enthusiastically shared his successes with the AI, stating his intention to continue highlighting ChatGPT's capabilities.

However, Dunn also expressed some reservations about the implications of relying heavily on AI for problem-solving, noting that it potentially reduces human interaction and collaboration. This sentiment was echoed by some social media users who voiced concerns about AI potentially replacing programmers.

The Hungarian Algorithm and Bipartite Matching

Algorithms are essential for sorting data based on specific parameters. In gaming, this translates to finding optimal matches based on player skill and preferences. Dunn's query to ChatGPT focused on finding an algorithm suitable for a bipartite matching scenario, where only one side (in this case, the player) has preferences. The Hungarian algorithm, as recommended by ChatGPT, appears to fulfill this requirement.

Mixed Reactions from the Deadlock Community

Despite the improvements, some Deadlock players remain unconvinced. Negative reactions to Dunn's tweets range from expressing continued dissatisfaction with the matchmaking to outright criticism of his reliance on ChatGPT.

At Game8, we remain optimistic about Deadlock's potential. For a more in-depth look at our playtest experience, please see the link below.