What is EOMM Matchmaking? A Deep Dive into Engagement Optimized Systems
Engagement Optimized Matchmaking (EOMM) is a matchmaking system used in many modern online games. Unlike traditional Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM), which prioritizes pairing players of similar skill levels, EOMM focuses on maximizing player engagement and minimizing player disengagement. In essence, EOMM aims to keep you playing for as long as possible, often by manipulating the difficulty and the opponents you face to maintain a specific pattern of wins and losses. This approach, while controversial, is employed by developers hoping to increase the overall time players spend engaged with their game. EOMM treats matchmaking as an optimization problem, seeking the sweet spot where players are neither perpetually frustrated by overwhelming losses nor bored by constant wins, but rather, are consistently hooked into the gameplay loop.
The Core Principle: Engagement Over Skill
At its heart, EOMM isn’t about creating balanced, fair matches; it’s about maintaining consistent engagement. The system analyzes various data points like win-loss ratios, time spent playing, and even player reactions, to determine what kind of matches will keep you coming back for more. This may mean that you are not necessarily matched against people of your same skill level. It might prioritize a match that will keep you engaged rather than a balanced one. Games using EOMM often have carefully calibrated “peaks and valleys” in the player experience. This can mean an occasional streak of easy matches that makes you feel unstoppable, followed by matches that are significantly more challenging. This cycle of rewarding and challenging gameplay is designed to maximize your playtime.
How EOMM Differs from SBMM
The critical difference between EOMM and SBMM lies in their primary objectives. SBMM seeks to pair you with opponents of similar skill, creating matches that are generally considered “fair.” This often results in consistent challenges and is favored by players who want to test their skills against worthy adversaries. EOMM, on the other hand, prioritizes engagement. It doesn’t necessarily care if you’re facing players of the same skill; it focuses on what will keep you playing. While both might use metrics like K/D ratios, SBMM would use it to gauge skill, while EOMM might use it to predict what kind of team you’ll need to keep playing. This may include balancing your team with strong and weak players to create a match where you feel a sense of accomplishment, even in loss.
Data-Driven Decision Making
EOMM systems are heavily data-driven. They constantly collect and analyze player data to fine-tune their matchmaking algorithms. This means that the system is not static; it adapts over time as it learns more about player behaviors. It learns what types of opponents make a player more or less engaged and aims to make the best match based on the engagement outcome, not on the skill of the players. Game developers leverage this data to make constant adjustments to ensure that EOMM is doing its job of keeping players in the game for the optimal length of time.
The Controversy Around EOMM
The major controversy around EOMM lies in its perceived manipulation of the player experience. Players often complain that matches feel “rigged” or “scripted,” experiencing stretches of losses or wins that don’t correlate with their performance. This lack of transparency in matchmaking can breed distrust among players. Many argue that EOMM undermines the competitive integrity of games, especially when matches are not based on skill. The preference for engagement over fairness is a common point of criticism. Some players believe that they are being kept in a cycle of wins and losses rather than having their skills validated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About EOMM
1. Is EOMM Used in Every Modern Game?
No, while EOMM is prevalent in many popular titles, it is not universal. Many games still utilize SBMM, while others may use a hybrid approach. The specific type of matchmaking used usually depends on the game’s goals and target audience.
2. How Can I Tell If a Game Uses EOMM?
Determining if a game uses EOMM can be difficult, as developers rarely disclose their specific algorithms. However, signs include dramatic win-loss streaks that don’t seem to correlate with your performance, and consistently mismatched skill levels of teammates and opponents.
3. Is EOMM Inherently Bad?
Not necessarily. While it has controversial aspects, EOMM’s aim to maintain engagement is not inherently negative. The problem arises when this engagement optimization comes at the expense of fair and balanced gameplay, and transparency is lacking.
4. How Does EOMM Impact Casual Players?
For casual players, EOMM can sometimes result in a more “fun” experience as the system may provide occasional wins. However, it can also lead to frustration if they are matched against significantly more experienced players, creating a negative engagement cycle.
5. Does EOMM Lead to “Rubberbanding” Matches?
Yes, EOMM can create a feeling of “rubberbanding,” where you experience swings of victories and defeats that seem artificially generated. This is to encourage the player to continue, regardless of performance.
6. Does EOMM Account for Player Skill at All?
While skill level is not the primary focus, EOMM often considers skill data. It uses data from matches played to keep track of performance levels to manipulate win-loss patterns, not to match similar skill levels.
7. What Data Does EOMM Track to Maximize Engagement?
EOMM systems track various data points, including win-loss ratios, playtime, match performance metrics (K/D, etc.), and in some cases, player behavior patterns. It may also track how long the player engages after a win or loss.
8. How Can You “Beat” EOMM?
There is no surefire way to “beat” EOMM, as the system is designed to adapt to your actions. Some players suggest quitting after losses to potentially trick the system into providing easier matches. However, this is not a foolproof method. The best way to deal with it is by understanding how it works and trying to adapt to the dynamic nature of matchmaking.
9. Is EOMM Only Used in Competitive Games?
No, EOMM is used in both competitive and casual games. Its goal is always to maximize player engagement.
10. Can a VPN Bypass EOMM?
Some players believe that using a VPN can affect matchmaking, as it can change the player’s location and potentially disrupt the EOMM system. There is no proof of this, and results may vary, but it is still an option.
11. Does EOMM Affect Team Compositions?
Yes, EOMM can impact team compositions. It may try to create a balance where each team has a range of skill levels, regardless of the individual ratings of players.
12. Is EOMM the Same as EBMM?
Yes, Engagement-Based Matchmaking (EBMM) is essentially the same as EOMM. The terms are often used interchangeably.
13. What are the Negative Impacts of EOMM?
The primary negatives of EOMM include perceived unfairness in matches, a sense of being manipulated, and distrust in the matchmaking system. It can also lead to a frustrating player experience where the player might not feel the result is due to their skill.
14. How Do Developers Justify Using EOMM?
Developers often justify EOMM by stating that it increases the game’s longevity and ensures a consistent flow of players. They argue that it is designed to keep the game fun and engaging.
15. What Is the Future of Matchmaking in Games?
The future of matchmaking may involve more sophisticated algorithms that balance both engagement and skill, potentially moving toward more transparent systems that are better understood by players. A big move that might occur is giving players more control over their matchmaking preference.
In conclusion, EOMM is a complex and often controversial system designed to maximize player engagement. While it aims to keep players invested, it can often come at the expense of fair and balanced gameplay. Understanding its core principles and how it differs from SBMM is essential for navigating the world of modern online gaming.