With Battlefield 6 having wrapped up its first beta and getting ready for the second one later this week, the multiplayer shooter is now the target of discussion regarding whether or not skill-based matchmaking is being used. To offer some clarification and quell some potential backlash, lead producer David Sirland has taken to social media platform X to confirm that Battlefield 6 does indeed take player skill into account for matchmaking. However, it is “far down the list” of factors considered by the game’s matchmaking algorithms.
In his post, Sirland also confirmed that the matchmaking used for the first open beta used all of the factors that the game would consider for matchmaking even at launch, and that the ping a player might get in a match is still the number one priority for the system. He also revealed that the matchmaking system automatically balances the teams out in order to have a good spread of various skill levels across the game.
“Clarification: Open beta used all matchmaking priorities we expect for launch,” wrote Sirland. “And they are the same as they have been in previous titles. We prioritize Ping, and time to game ahead of most things. Skill is a factor, but far down the list, and all our large modes need a spread of skill to work well. The sandbox needs many different types of skill to function well, and that’s also why the matchmaker teambalances to make the teams even as part of that process.”
Through this system, Battlefield 6 is able to ensure that, first and foremost, players will not have to worry about getting thrown into laggy matches with high pings. The system is also seemingly working to make sure that any single team isn’t filled with the best players while the other only has beginners; rather, an even spread of high and low-skilled players across both teams seems to be the ideal.
Sirland had also previously revealed some details about the server browser for Battlefield 6 that will be available through Portal. He noted that Battlefield 6’s approach to the server browser, which offers players a blend of persistent gameplay servers with full progression alongside custom servers and even currently-running matches is “the best of both worlds” for the game. He also confirmed that testing on the server browser is set to start “soon”.
“It’s a server browser, it contains servers, some are custom experiences, some are verified (which is what most are looking for on this topic),” he wrote. “The combination of the pool of the persistent servers and the spun up ones is not very useful. Matchmaking servers spin up in seconds (get filled with players), and spin down after game is over. That couple of seconds plus when servers lose alot of players mid game is the only time you can join, which makes it a tricky combination (and full of queuing to join issues).”
“We think the current setup gives us the best of both worlds, as you can choose to go spin up a server through regular matchmaking – or find an existing server that is already running – or create your own as well. We’ll soon be testing the server browser, so you can experience it.”
Battlefield 6 is coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on October 10. The game will also be getting an open beta starting on August 14. Check out our thoughts on the game so far.
