My experience with matchmaking

[phar]

A lot of people seem to have an issue when a game uses matchmaking, especially a FPS game and im now wondering why. I'll start by admitting that deicated server / client system is the most ideal system for playing a multiplayer FPS game but you have to admit matchmaking would fine in most games.

Ive always tried to stick clear of matchmaking because I always thought it didnt work and was vastly inferior but have been playing a few games lately that have matchmaking multiplayer and really havent had any issue other than it trying to connect with some guys over in France or America :S (Im in Australia by the way)

I have noticed no issues with hosts lagging, idiotic player, people exploiting glitches or doing stupid things. Im sure if I was blindfolded and put on a game of something one being matchmaking other being on dedicated servers I probably would not be able to tell the difference other than the player count. They will both run quite smooth if you are connected locally.

The only things really that matchmaking is lacking is to have admins and such to keep people in line and make sure everything running smoothly but it does have the advantage of being able to get into a game quickly and easily where everyone plays by standard rules and plays a full map cycle. Quite often thats difficult to find as most games with dedis turn into a 24 hour one map server running stat tracking mods which people often play cheaply to maximise some e-stats.

I think the issue here is that people just want the best and think its the end of the world if another system is used. But really the matchmaking isnt that far behind.

 

[Valiance]

I can put up with it in an MMO or RTS or something, but FPS games have historically ran off a different kind of structure. It's not even about performance, it's about a sense of community. A lot of people sort of build a base of friends, or "hangout" places with servers. I mean, a lot of clans or teams want their own places to practice, or some people might just want to play certain maps, and, it's a very warm fuzzy feeling when you boot up Battlefield 1942, and the same "24/7 MIDWAY ISLAND" server you played on in 2004 is still up, running, with 30+ players on it, and you go on, and it's the same admin you were friends with from years ago.

It's not really about exploiting the game, but sure, some people use it to farm achievements or whatever it is, but having control over your game is the most important part for me. Kicking or banning assholes and being guaranteed to never see them again in "your house" or just being able to tell your friends "come here, you'll have a good time, I can guarantee you will be playing a great map with great people" rather than "well I guess we'll queue up and see what we get."

It's really difficult to explain if you've never had this sense of community where the dedicated server is an extension of the IRC, the website, the clan, the guild, the team, whatever.