"We can track who shoots first": Arc Raiders design lead says aggression-based matchmaking is "a bit of a misnomer," and "we don't do anything like skill-based matchmaking or gear-based"
GamesRadar+ • • technology
Key Points:
- Arc Raiders' matchmaking system groups players based on their PvP engagement, using a weighted rating rather than a strict binary separation of PvP and PvE players, according to design lead Virgil Watkins.
- The system tracks player actions like who shoots first and who takes damage but does not attempt to interpret player intent, making it a blunt instrument that simply measures PvP participation without moral judgment.
- Players have some agency to influence their matchmaking experience by adjusting their playstyle to encounter less hostile environments, though the system remains complex and layered rather than straightforward.
- The developers do not use skill-based or gear-based matchmaking, focusing solely on a PvP engagement rating while continuously monitoring match health and player feedback to refine the system.
- This matchmaking approach is
