Apex Legends Skill Based Matchmaking (SBMM) - How Does It Work?

In the vibrant world of online multiplayer games, ensuring a fair and balanced gaming experience is paramount. This has led developers to constantly evolve and adapt their matchmaking systems, a silent cog that determines the very fabric of our in-game encounters. One such game that has continually worked to refine this system is "Apex Legends," Respawn Entertainment's battle royale sensation.

Skill-based matchmaking, commonly referred to as SBMM, is the behind-the-scenes mechanism that seeks to provide players with opponents of similar skill levels. But how does Apex's SBMM really work? Dive with us into the intricacies of this intricate algorithm, and learn how it shapes your thrilling drop into Kings Canyon, World's Edge, or Olympus.

What is skill-based matchmaking (SBMM)?

Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) is a matchmaking system used by Apex Legends to pair players against opponents of a similar skill level. The goal is to provide a more balanced and competitive experience, ensuring that players aren't mismatched in a way that's too easy or too difficult for them. It is particularly crucial for maintaining player engagement and satisfaction, especially for newer players who might be discouraged if they consistently face opponents far more skilled than they are.

How Does SBMM Work in Apex Legends

Skill in Apex Legends is multifaceted. Elements such as map sense (rotation knowledge, Ring avoidance), mechanical prowess (aim and reaction time), versatility with legends and weapons, and K/D ratio play a role. Each of these components holds weight, but quantifying some of them can be challenging.

Key Insights

Dual Matchmaking Systems:

• Both ranked and unranked ("pubs") matches employ SBMM.

• The difference lies in visibility: In ranked, players can see their progression via tiers, ranging from Bronze to Apex Predator.

Skill Rating vs. Ranked Tiers:

• Players often regard their ranked tier as a definitive measure of their skills. However, the game's primary metric for skill is the "skill rating."

• Unlike the visible tiers, skill rating remains hidden from players. Duc hints at the complexity of this metric, describing it as the "secret sauce."

• The skill rating doesn't just quantify a player's performance; it considers match RNG and other unspecified elements. It's this skill rating that both pubs and ranked matches employ to assemble players into games.

1. Core Concepts of Matchmaking in Apex Legends:

• Progression: Visible to players, this system rewards them for playing, influencing player behavior and perception of match fairness. For example, while account level might suggest skill, a high-level player isn't necessarily skillful, and vice versa.
• Skill Rating: A concealed numeric representation of player skill. Skill ratings range, hypothetically, from 1 (least skilled) to 10 (higher skilled). There are two main ways to visualize this:
• Continuous Gaussian Distribution: Represents player skill rating distribution, primarily in Pubs. The majority lie in the middle, with extremes being rare.

• Discrete Buckets: Group players into broad skill categories. For instance, players with skill ratings from 0-2, 2-4, and so forth would each form a "bucket."

Currently, Apex uses the bucket approach but intends to evolve its methods.

• Matching: It's about who plays with or against whom. The system needs to balance quick matchmaking against matching players of similar skill. Additionally, how squads are formed and pitted against each other is crucial. Various methods and considerations come into play, which are discussed later.

2. How Apex Legends Currently Matches Players:

• For a match, the system pulls 60 players of similar skill. If considering a hypothetical group of 9 players with ratings from 1 to 9, two primary ways to form teams emerge:

• Balanced Averaged Skill Approach: Used in Pubs, this method looks to balance the overall average skill of teams.

• Similar Skill Grouping: More suitable for competitive environments like Ranked, this approach focuses on grouping players of similar skills to limit the "carry" burden. It's not about a perfectly balanced match but a match where the skill variability within a team is minimized.

• Premade Squads: When players already group up before entering matchmaking, their combined rating is crucial. Apex currently uses the "HIGHEST" skill rating of the group for both Pubs and Ranked to combat exploits like "boosting." However, this makes it tough for new players to team up with skilled friends, as they're matched based on the higher-skilled player.

3. New Developments on the Horizon:

• Recognizing the advantage premade duos and trios have (due to better coordination and understanding), Apex Legends is working on improving its matchmaking algorithm. This new system aims to account for the slight advantages that premade groups naturally possess.

In essence, Apex Legends employs a sophisticated matchmaking system that integrates progression, skill rating, and the actual act of matching players. Continuous improvements are in the works to ensure a fairer and more enjoyable gaming experience for all.

The Challenge of SBMM in Apex Legends

In a dynamic and ever-evolving online multiplayer landscape, implementing a perfect matchmaking system can often feel like chasing a mirage. Apex Legends is no exception. The game's dedicated community and vast player base come with their own sets of challenges when it comes to SBMM. Here's a deep dive into some of these challenges:

Addressing "Boosting" and Other Matchmaking Exploits

"Boosting" is a term familiar to many online gamers. Essentially, it involves higher-skilled players assisting lower-skilled players in ranking up by playing on their accounts or teaming up with them, thereby manipulating the matchmaking system. It can lead to unbalanced matches and an overall degraded experience for other players.

Apex Legends, recognizing this challenge, has adopted a unique approach to handle premade squads. By focusing on the highest skill rating in a squad, it attempts to prevent boosting. It means that if a high-ranking player teams up with two lower-ranking friends, they're matched based on the skill of the highest-ranking player. While this approach helps in deterring boosting, it's not without its criticisms. Which leads us to the next challenge:

Balancing New Players with Experienced Ones in Premade Squads

While using the highest skill rating within a squad can counteract boosting, it also introduces another issue. New or less skilled players teaming up with their more experienced friends can find themselves thrust into matches that are far beyond their skill level, leading to potentially frustrating experiences.

For the seasoned player, this can also present its own set of issues. With teammates who might not yet understand the nuances of the game, they might feel the pressure to "carry" the team, which can detract from their own enjoyment.

Recognizing and Compensating for the Advantage of Premade Duos and Trios

Communication and coordination play pivotal roles in Battle Royale games. In Apex Legends, players who team up as premade duos or trios often have an inherent advantage. They may have established strategies, better communication systems, or simply understand each other's playstyles, giving them an edge over teams formed of solo players.

Recognizing this, the Apex Legends team is working on refining their algorithms to balance out this advantage. The intent is to ensure that even if you're going into a match solo, the playing field feels as level as possible. The proposed system will assign an added skill rating to premade groups, acknowledging the competitive edge they bring to matches. It is a part of the game's ongoing evolution, striving for that balance between competitiveness and fun.

Conclusion

In the vast, fast-paced universe of Apex Legends, the importance of a robust and fair matchmaking system cannot be overstated. Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) serves as the invisible hand guiding players into battles, striving to ensure every firefight is balanced, every strategy is challenged, and every victory feels genuinely rewarding. While no system is without its challenges, Apex Legends continuously refines its approach, tackling issues like boosting and balancing premade squads, all in pursuit of that ideal gaming experience for its players.

As the game continues to evolve, so does its commitment to creating a competitive yet enjoyable environment for Legends everywhere. Whether you're dropping into Kings Canyon, World's Edge, or Olympus, rest assured that the game is doing its utmost to make your battles both fair and thrilling.