Adaptive matchmaking for games
US8672764B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 2007 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63F2300/63
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Matchmaking processes at online game services often result in players having to wait unacceptably long times to receive a match or immediately receiving a poorly matched session. By using a matchmaking process which dynamically adapts a good balance is achieved between the quality of proposed matches (for example, in terms of how balanced, interesting and fun those matches are likely to be) and the waiting time for potential matches. A matchmaking threshold is specified. When a player seeks a match a waiting time is observed, for example, as to how long that player waits until starting a game or dropping out. Information about such waiting times is used to dynamically update the matchmaking threshold. The update is made on the basis of a relationship between information about the observed waiting time and a target waiting time. Further control may be achieved by using separate matchmaking thresholds and target waiting times for different game categories.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.