Here’s How Battlefield 2042’s Skill-Based Matchmaking Actually Works

The anticipation for Battlefield 2042 is palpable. With the open beta just around the corner, and reports already surfacing of impressive concurrent player counts even before the official launch, it’s clear that gamers are hungry for a next-gen Battlefield experience. One of the most debated and closely watched aspects of any modern multiplayer title is its matchmaking system. How will Battlefield 2042 ensure fair and engaging matches? Will skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) dominate the experience, or will other factors take precedence? Let’s delve into the details.

Understanding EA’s Approach to Matchmaking in Battlefield 2042

EA has offered some insights into the matchmaking algorithms that will be used in Battlefield 2042. While skill will play a role, it appears that it won’t be the sole, or even the primary, determinant of who you face on the battlefield. According to a statement provided to CharlieIntel by an EA representative, several factors will be considered:

• Location: This is paramount for minimizing latency and ensuring a smooth gameplay experience. Connecting players to servers geographically close to them is a foundational element of any online game.
• Ping: Closely related to location, ping refers to the network latency between a player’s device and the game server. Lower ping results in a more responsive and lag-free experience. Matchmaking will prioritize players with low ping to ensure fair fights.
• Server Availability: Ensuring there are enough servers available to accommodate the player base is essential. Matchmaking needs to efficiently distribute players across available servers to prevent long queue times and ensure stable performance.
• “Some Skill Factor”: This is where things get interesting, and potentially controversial. While EA acknowledges that skill will be considered, the vague phrasing suggests that it will be weighted less heavily than other factors.

It’s crucial to understand that the relative importance of these factors will likely vary depending on the game mode and the player count. A smaller, more competitive mode like “Team Deathmatch” might place a greater emphasis on skill, while a large-scale, chaotic mode like “Conquest” could prioritize server availability and ping.

The Nuances of Skill-Based Matchmaking

The term “skill-based matchmaking” can be misleading. It’s not simply about matching players with identical skill levels. A well-designed SBMM system accounts for a variety of factors beyond a simple numerical skill rating:

• Player Performance Metrics: The system likely tracks various in-game statistics, such as kills, deaths, assists, accuracy, objective captures, and revives. These metrics provide a more nuanced picture of a player’s effectiveness than a simple win/loss ratio.
• Recent Performance: A player’s recent performance is often given more weight than their overall historical data. This allows the system to adapt to changes in a player’s skill level, whether they’re on a winning streak or struggling to find their footing.
• Learning Curves: The system might be designed to be more lenient with new players, giving them opportunities to play against less experienced opponents while they learn the game. This helps prevent frustration and encourages player retention.
• Team Composition: Ideally, the matchmaking system will also consider the composition of teams. It will attempt to balance teams by distributing players of varying skill levels to prevent one side from being overwhelmingly dominant.

Server Browsers and the Community’s Voice

While matchmaking systems offer convenience, they can also limit player choice. Many Battlefield veterans have expressed a desire for the return of server browsers, which allow players to manually select servers based on factors such as map, game mode, ping, and player count. Battlefield 2042 aims to address this by incorporating elements of both matchmaking and server browsing.

Earlier this month, Battlefield 2042 producer Alexia Christofi highlighted the key feedback that the team has received regarding server browsers:

• Persistent Servers: Players want servers that remain active and populated over extended periods, fostering a sense of community and continuity.
• Sense of Community and a Way to Play Together: The ability to consistently play with the same group of people is a major draw for many players. Server browsers facilitate this by allowing players to find and join servers populated by familiar faces.
• Choosing Specific Maps/Modes: Players want the freedom to select the maps and game modes that they enjoy the most. Matchmaking systems often restrict this choice, forcing players to play a random selection of maps and modes.
• Filtering by Ping/Server Fullness: The ability to filter servers based on ping and player count is crucial for ensuring a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience. Players want to avoid joining servers with high ping or those that are already overcrowded.
• Support for Low Pop Regions: Players in regions with smaller player bases need access to servers that are specifically tailored to their needs. This ensures that they can find matches without experiencing excessive lag or long queue times.

It is important to note that community-run servers, with custom rules and administration, have been a staple of the Battlefield franchise for many years and provided very personalized and rewarding gaming experiences.

Balancing Matchmaking and Player Choice

The challenge for Battlefield 2042 is to strike a balance between the convenience of matchmaking and the freedom of server browsers. One possible solution is to offer a hybrid system that combines elements of both:

• Quick Match: A streamlined matchmaking option that quickly connects players to a suitable game based on their preferences.
• Server Browser: A traditional server browser that allows players to manually select servers based on a variety of criteria.
• Recommended Servers: A curated list of servers that are recommended to the player based on their skill level, location, and preferences.

This hybrid approach would cater to a wider range of players, satisfying both those who prefer the convenience of matchmaking and those who value the control and customization offered by server browsers.

Cross-Play and Platform Considerations

Another important factor to consider is cross-play. Battlefield 2042 will support cross-play between PC and consoles, but with some limitations. According to Christofi, cross-play can be toggled on and off, and console players and PC players will largely be kept apart unless players are needed to fill a lobby.

This decision is likely driven by concerns about balancing gameplay between different input methods. PC players typically have an advantage over console players due to the precision and control offered by a mouse and keyboard. Separating the two platforms by default helps to ensure a fair and balanced experience for all players.

The Impact of Cross-Play on Matchmaking

Cross-play has significant implications for matchmaking. By expanding the player pool, it can reduce queue times and improve the quality of matches. However, it also introduces new challenges in terms of balancing gameplay and ensuring fair competition. The game must account for the differences in input methods and skill levels between players on different platforms.

The fact that console players can disable cross-play should prevent many problems regarding crossplay.

The Beta as a Testing Ground

The upcoming open beta for Battlefield 2042 will be a crucial opportunity for DICE and EA to test and refine their matchmaking algorithms. Player feedback from the beta will be invaluable in identifying any issues and making necessary adjustments before the game’s official launch.

During the beta, players should pay close attention to the following aspects of matchmaking:

• Match Quality: Are the matches fair and balanced? Are players being consistently matched against opponents of similar skill levels?
• Queue Times: How long does it take to find a match? Are queue times reasonable across different game modes and regions?
• Ping and Latency: Are players consistently connected to servers with low ping? Is the gameplay experience smooth and lag-free?
• Server Stability: Are the servers stable and reliable? Are players experiencing frequent disconnects or crashes?

By providing constructive feedback on these issues, players can help DICE and EA to create a matchmaking system that is fair, engaging, and enjoyable for everyone.

Conclusion: A Delicate Balance

Matchmaking in Battlefield 2042 is a complex issue with no easy answers. EA must balance a variety of factors, including skill, location, ping, server availability, cross-play considerations, and player preferences. The goal is to create a system that ensures fair and engaging matches while also providing players with the freedom to customize their experience.

The inclusion of a server browser is a welcome addition that should appease many veteran Battlefield players. The hybrid approach of combining matchmaking with server browsing represents a promising compromise that could satisfy a wide range of player preferences.

Ultimately, the success of Battlefield 2042’s matchmaking system will depend on its ability to adapt to player feedback and continuously evolve over time. The upcoming open beta will be a critical test, and the lessons learned from that experience will shape the future of online play in Battlefield 2042.