Delta Force director explains skill-based matchmaking is essential for fun – ”some rules are needed”

Delta Force developer Team Jade is preparing to launch its free-to-player mobile successor to the iconic 90s FPS franchise on December 8, 2024. As an online shooter designed for a wide audience, design director Ricky Liao explained that skill-based matchmaking is not only included in the game, but essential for creating a balanced, fun experience.

In an interview with VideoGamer, Liao revealed that the often-controversial skill-based matchmaking system is needed for a core audience. As Ubisoft’s failing FPS game Xdefiant has proven, games without some form of skill grouping aren’t as popular as online content creators will have you believe.

Delta Force will have a well-built skill-based matchmaking system

In the interview, Liao explained that the matchmaking system in Delta Force isn’t “super specific” like many games, but groups players based on a number of different factors. The design director explained that games like Call of Duty and other FPS games have such a hyper-balanced system that it often leads to a “50% win rate”, which Team Jade is trying to avoid.

“In our matchmaking system, you will find players always meeting with players that are stronger, weaker or on a similar level,” the developer said. “It’s not going to be a super wild experience, because it’s not everyone being in the same matchmaking pool, but we have several pools of similar skills here, but not drastically different”.

“We are aware of the current sentiment regarding skill-based matchmaking for other games.”

DELTA FORCE DESIGN DIRECTOR RICKY LIAO

However, Liao also explained that the existence of skill-based matchmaking is integral to making Delta Force fun for players outside of its top 1% of hardcore players. While some players love the idea of crushing newbies—let’s face it, who doesn’t—it’s simply not fun for most games’ core audiences.

“We are aware of the current sentiment regarding skill-based matchmaking for other games,” he said. “In the scene of real world sport, let’s say boxing, you will see people being grouped based on their weight. You wouldn’t pit someone with a smaller build against someone who’s super large, big and buff, because that’s not really fair. That’s not really fun. Some rules are needed.”

Liao explained that, unlike games that don’t have skill-based matchmaking, this also gives players the ability to have challenges at all levels and to actually evolve as they play. Without it, players might never be able to improve or get used to the games’ systems.

“Players’ skills are always changing, they could be growing, they could be declining,” they said. “Skill-based matchmaking is really important for multiplayer games. The difference is how you do it, the recipe is different and unique.”

Of course, skill-based matchmaking in Delta Force won’t be a one-and-done situation. As the game evolves and player feedback comes in, the team is dedicated to improving how players are grouped together.

For more Delta Force coverage, read about the team’s thoughts on protecting players against the “cancer” of cheating and how the game is planning to avoid atrocious, aesthetic-ruining skins like Call of Duty boasts.