Deadlock Dev Uses ChatGPT to Help With Matchmaking Code ...
A month ago, Deadlock promised that it will revamp its matchmaking system, and apparently, a developer working on Valve's upcoming MOBA-hero shooter found the perfect algorithm to use, thanks to a conversation with the AI chatbot ChatGPT.
The new matchmaking algorithm used for Valve's upcoming MOBA-hero shooter game, Deadlock, was discovered through ChatGPT—the generative AI chatbot developed by OpenAI—as revealed by Valve engineer Fletcher Dunn through a recent series of posts on Twitter. "A few days ago we switched Deadlock's matchmaking hero selection to the Hungarian algorithm. I found it using ChatGPT," Dunn shared along with screenshots of his conversation with the chatbot, wherein ChatGPT recommended an algorithm, called the Hungarian algorithm, to use for Deadlock.
The Deadlock team was swift to act following the criticism it received from its player base. Last month, a Deadlock dev wrote to fans on the game's Discord server, saying, "the hero based mmr one doesn't work very well [at the moment]. It'll be more effective once we finish a full rewrite of the [matchmaking] system we are working on." Per Dunn, they were able to find the most apt algorithm for the matchmaking, with the help of Generative AI.
Concerns and Optimism Around AI Usage
Algorithms help sort sets of data based on a set of parameters, rules, instructions, and/or conditions. As with Dunn, he had asked ChatGPT to find the most apt algorithm "where only one side has any preferences," that can solve certain problems, and find the most optimal or suiting "match" in a bipartite—meaning, involving two parties—matching setup.
Still, enclaves of fans remain dissatisfied and visibly angry with Deadlock's performance. One fan wrote in reply to Dunn's recent tweet, expressing frustration with the matchmaking system. Meanwhile, we over here at Game8 think that Valve is cooking up something amazing with the upcoming release of Deadlock.
Steam's Guidelines on AI Usage
Earlier in January, Steam revised its guidelines on AI content on its platforms, directing developers to describe and disclose how they use AI "in the development and execution" of their game. Valve, owner of the Steam platform, uses the AI usage disclosure in their review of the game prior to it releasing.
Adding to his commentary on ChatGPT and generative AI, Dunn wrote in an older tweet about some of his concerns surrounding the tech, saying that "with ChatGPT there will be the additional challenge that, as 'bad' content increases, access to 'good' content will be shrinking due to legal / copyright challenges."
References
Source:
PC Gamer: A Valve engineer used ChatGPT to find a new matchmaking algorithm for Deadlock, and now it's in the game
The Verge: Valve opens the door to more Steam games developed with AI
Reuters Exclusive: OpenAI to remove non-profit control and give Sam Altman equity
Steam: AI Content on Steam
r/DeadlockTheGame 1, 2
