U.S. Pat. No. 9,731,204

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the accompanying drawing(s), in which identical functional elements are designated with like numerals. The aforementioned accompanying drawings show by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, specific embodiments and implementations consistent with principles of the present invention. These implementations are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and it is to be understood that other implementations may be utilized and that structural changes and/or substitutions of various elements may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be construed in a limited sense. Additionally, the various embodiments of the invention as described may be implemented in the form of a software running on a general purpose computer, in the form of a specialized hardware, or combination of software and hardware.

In accordance with one aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided a matchmaking system for massive multiplayer online games. In one or more embodiments, the described matchmaking system is easily tunable enabling the gaming administrator to make quick adjustments to the parameters of the matchmaking system. The system is configured to provide game players with a fair gameplay experience across their entire career of matches. Fine tuning of the point values assigned to vehicles, the player-specific point modifiers, and the point ranges used for creating matches allows for long-term improvement to the matchmaking results. In one or more embodiments, the matchmaking system assigns points to each game player and a vehicle and relies on specific point ranges and values assigned to vehicle, and player specific point modifiers.

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a matchmaking system100for massive multiplayer online games. In various embodiments, the matchmaking system100incorporates the following functional modules, which may be deployed on one or more computing platforms. Specifically, the matchmaking system100incorporates a master module101, which is configured to perform command and control over all the remaining modules of the matchmaking system100. Specifically, the master module101issues orders to start or stop various processes performed within the matchmaking system100via commander modules102.

In one or more embodiments, the commander modules102are responsible for running and stopping various processes performed within the matchmaking system100and monitoring the health of the aforesaid active processes. The matchmaking system100may further include an authentication server103configured to handle account logins from the users of the matchmaking system100. The aforesaid authentication may be based on various now known or later developed user authentication techniques, including, without limitation, a password/PIN sign-on, a biometric authentication, a symmetric or asymmetric key authentication, a public key authentication or a hardware device authentication.

In one or more embodiments, the matchmaking system100may further incorporate a worldserver104, which is a data server responsible for handling messages to and from various game clients (not shown) operating in conjunction with the matchmaking system100. The matchmaking system100may further include one or more gateways105. In one embodiment, the gateway105is load balance server responsible for routing messages between game clients (not shown) and the worldserver104. The matchmaking system100may further include a matchmaking server106, which is responsible for handling a matchmaking queue and overall matchmaking logic the operation of which is described in detail below.

In one or more embodiments, a database107is responsible for persisting data such as player accounts and match results. In various embodiments, the database107may be implemented based on any now known or later developed type of database management system, such as a relational database management system, including, without limitation, MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, SQL Anywhere, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Firebird and/or MaxDB, which are well-known to persons of skill in the art. In an alternative embodiment, a cloud-based distributed database, such as Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS), well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, may also be used to implement the database107. Finally, the matchmaking system100may incorporate one or more gameservers108responsible for providing clients with running matches to play on.

FIG. 2illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a data flow200of an embodiment of a matchmaking system100for massive multiplayer online games. The exemplary data flow200shown inFIG. 2involves a game client201, the worldserver104, the matchmaking server106and the gameserver108. Initially, a game client201sends a request202to the worldserver104to join the matchmaking queue. In various embodiments, the aforesaid matchmaking queue includes vehicles and users (also referred to as players) awaiting matchmaking in accordance with the techniques described herein. Subsequently, the worldserver104sends player rating and the corresponding vehicle (such as a tank) information203to the matchmaking server106. Upon the receipt of this information203, the matchmaking server106uses the received information to determine the match and, once the match is constructed, sends the corresponding match details204to the gameserver108. The gameserver108, in turn, enables a game session using the received match details204.

The matchmaking server106informs the worldserver104about the gameserver108, see205inFIG. 2. Subsequently, the worldserver104instructs the client201to join a specific gameserver108, see206inFIG. 2. After the completion of the gaming session, the gameserver108sends match results207back to the matchmaking server106. Subsequently, the matchmaking server106processes the received match results and sends the corresponding game rewards information208to the worldserver104. The worldserver104, in turn, saves the received game reward information and forwards the game reward information to the client201.

In one or more embodiments, a game player's point total used in matchmaking is the sum of:

1. A vehicle point value based on the vehicle with which the player has entered the queue. This unique value is assigned to each individual vehicle by the Ohio game designers based on the vehicle's performance stats (health, armor, damage, mobility, spotting range, etc.) and

2. A set of player-specific point values based on a number of additional criteria, including (but not limited to): a. the player's skill. Initially this will determined by the player's win rate but can be expanded to a more intricate calculation using additional factors; b. the player's chosen loadout for the selected vehicle (parts, equipment, ammunition); c. the player's number of matches overall; and d. the player's number of matches in the selected vehicle.

In one or more embodiments, each vehicle in the game is assigned a single point value (instead of a range of battle tiers) which is then modified (increased or decreased) by a number of variables such as player skill and vehicle loadout. Since each new match that is created uses a different starting point value as the seed, each new match will also have a variable allowable point range that defines which vehicles can be placed into that match. This point range is further modified by a randomization factor, which may slightly increase or decrease the initial allowable point range. Therefore, two vehicles with different point values may be allowed into a match together if the final calculated point range is large enough, while the same two vehicles may not be allowed in a match together if the point range is much smaller.

In one or more embodiments, the matchmaking system uses a unique vehicle point value assigned to every individual vehicle in the game, meaning that right from the start of the matchmaking process, each vehicle is treated uniquely based on the specific qualities of that vehicle. Although each vehicle in the matchmaking system will have a class and tier assigned to it for the sake of progression (advancement through the game), tier and type are not used for identifying which vehicles can be placed together in a match pool. Exemplary vehicle classes are tanks, armored personnel carriers or self-propelled guns. On the other hand, the tier assigned to the vehicle is based on the vehicle's performance and, optionally, other battle-related characteristics within its class, such as a speed of the vehicle or a power of its engine.

In one or more embodiments, each individual vehicle in the game has a unique vehicle point value assigned based on the quality and performance of the stock, un-upgraded version of the vehicle. These values may be tuned and are used exclusively in matchmaking, and are never displayed or revealed to the player. In one embodiment, these point values are roughly in-line with the vehicle's tier. For example, a Tier 8 vehicle will generally be in the 8,000-8,999 point range with an average of around 8,500 and a Tier 3 vehicle will be in the 3,000-3,999 point range with an average of 3500. Although the initial point range is tier-based, minor adjustment to the vehicle's point total will be based on (but not limited to) one or more of the following criteria:

Vehicle Horsepower (HP);

Vehicle Armor Protection (averages);

Vehicle Weapon Penetration;

Vehicle Damage per Minute (DPM);

Vehicle Alpha Damage;

Vehicle Mobility (Acceleration, Top Speed, Traverse) Spotting Range; and/or

Camouflage Factor.

In cases where it is desirable to have exclusive matchmaking for certain premium vehicles (meaning the vehicle will tend to be in the highest tier represented in a given match), assigning the vehicle a slightly lower point total will cause the vehicle to frequently (but not always) end up in the match's top tier. For example, if most Tier 3 vehicles have a point value that is around 3,500 points, assigning a Tier 3 premium an exclusive matchmaking point value of 2,900 will mean that it will still occasionally end up in matches with Tier 4 vehicles, but will more likely be placed in matches with tier 2 and 3 vehicles.

In instances where a platoon (group of players) queues together instead of a single player, the single highest point value from all the vehicles/players in the platoon will be used for all of the matchmaking steps below.

In one or more embodiments, the player point values are used to slightly adjust the matchmaking based on specific criteria and can be added or removed as necessary to silently balance the results of the matchmaking system over time. It is important to note that these player point values will always be much s mailer than the vehicle point values assigned to each vehicle and are intended to only occasionally push certain players into slightly more or less competitive matches under specific conditions. It is intended that the majority of the time, the point ranges established for a match will be wide enough that these player point values will not alter the outcome of the matchmaking beyond what the vehicle point value would have caused by itself.

Examples of player point values based on player skill:

Win rate less than 45%: −100 points

Win rate between 45% and 48%: −50 points Win rate between 52% and 55%: 75 points Win rate above 55%: 150 points

Examples of player point values based on the player's chosen loadout for the selected vehicle:

Any optional part equipped: 50 points

Top (highest caliber) gun equipped: 45 points

For each piece of equipment that is equipped: 25 points If any premium ammunition is loaded: 15 points

Examples of player point values based on the player's overall match count:

Less than 100 matches: −250 points Between 100 and 500 matches: −75 points Above 2,500 matches: 100 points

Above 5,000 matches: 150 points

Above 10,000 matches: 200 points

Examples of player point values based on the player's selected vehicle match count:

Less than 10 matches: −200 points More than 100 matches: 75 points

Using the vehicle point values and player point values, a point total is immediately calculated for each player as they enter the queue. An example of a point total calculation:

A player queues up with a T-80 (6,500 points) with no matches played in the vehicle (−200 points) and with stock parts and no equipment into the queue. The player has a win rate of 52% (+75 points) and 2,600 total matches (+100 points).
6,500−200+75+100=6,475.

FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an operating sequence300of an embodiment of a matchmaking process executed by the matchmaking server106for massive multiplayer online games. First, at step301a seeding is performed. This first step301in the matchmaking process is to identify a player as a match seed. The seed player for a new match in the matchmaking system is the player who has spent the longest time in the matchmaking queue (the “oldest” player).

Subsequently, at step302, the matchmaking server106performs point range establishment. In various embodiments, the seed's point total is used as the starting point to calculate the point range used for allowing queued players into a match. The point range represents the minimum and maximum number of points that a queued player would be required to have in order to be considered for the match. The ideal point range represents the point range that the matchmaking system will use in the first pass through the queue of all available players. This ideal point range is a represented by a +/− percentage of the seed's point total (for example, +/−10%) and will be a variable value that can be tuned over time to continually improve the performance (“fairness”) of the system.

In one embodiment, the ideal point range will also include a randomization factor, which will create some matches with tighter point ranges and others with wider point ranges. This randomization factor is also represented by a +/− percentage which adjusts the ideal point range and it is re-randomized for each match that is created.

At step303, the matchmaking server106performs bucket creation. During this step, the matchmaking server106will hold a number of “buckets” which are being used to temporarily hold players who are waiting for a match. These buckets represent different needs—one bucket might be looking for more MBTs; one bucket might be missing TDs and LBTs; etc. When a player joins the queue, the bucket system will search for a bucket to place him in, prioritizing first time (searching the oldest buckets first), then player rating (does this player fall in this bucket's point range), then tank class (is this player's tank needed for this bucket to make a match). If a player bucket fills up with the requisite players manning the requisite tanks, then a match is created using those players and their tanks. The buckets will expand their player rating requirements on specific intervals; for example, if a bucket has existed for one minute, the point range for that bucket will expand by a percentage so that a broader range of players can join it. If a bucket exists for a maximum length of time, it will either start immediately (if its minimum match conditions have been met) or it will disband and its players will be sorted into different existing buckets.

Finally, at step304, the matchmaking server106performs team balancing. Once a group of a predetermined number of players is selected, the players are split into class pools (groups of players divided by vehicle class) and then each class pool is distributed among the two teams one at a time based on point value. For example, if there are 4 MBTs in the match bucket, the MBT with the highest point total will be added to Team A, the second highest to Team B, the third to Team B, and the last to Team A. For platoons, the highest point total vehicle from the first platoon is added to Team A along with the remaining platoon members, then the highest point total vehicle from the second platoon is added to Team B along with the remaining platoon members, etc. In order to prevent Team A on a map from always getting the highest point total players, the order of assignment (Team A first or Team B first) will be randomized each time team balancing occurs.

FIG. 4illustrates an exemplary embodiment of graphical user interface400of a matchmaking system for massive multiplayer online games. In one embodiment, after the player clicks on the battle button in the interface, a matchmaking queue screen401is displayed as an overlay UI element. A timer402is provided to count up to indicate how long the user has been in the queue, and other statistics403regarding the queue, such as a number404of other players currently queued, etc., is also displayed. The user will simply be waiting to be added to a match once they are queued, but they may exit the queue by clicking a “Leave Queue” button405. Once the matchmaking system100has identified a match for the user, a match loading screen is displayed as the match loads in the background and at this point the user can no longer select to leave the queue.

FIG. 5is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a client computer500on which the aforesaid game client201could be deployed. In one or more embodiments, the client computer500may be implemented within the form factor of a mobile computing device, such as a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a tablet computer, all of which are available commercially and are well known to persons of skill in the art. In an alternative embodiment, the client computer500may be implemented based on a desktop, a laptop or a notebook computer. Yet in an alternative embodiment, the client computer500may be an embedded system, incorporated into an electronic device with certain specialized functions, such as an electronic book (or e-book) reader. Yet in an alternative embodiment, the client computer500may be implemented as a part of an augmented reality head-mounted display (HMD) systems, also well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

The client computer500may include a data bus504or other interconnect or communication mechanism for communicating information across and among various hardware components of the client computer500, and a central processing unit (CPU or simply processor)501coupled with the data bus504for processing information and performing other computational and control tasks. Client computer500also includes a memory512, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the data bus504for storing various information as well as instructions to be executed by the processor501. The memory512may also include persistent storage devices, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, solid-state flash memory device or other non-volatile solid-state storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, the memory512may also be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions by the processor501. Optionally, client computer500may further include a read only memory (ROM or EPROM)502or other static storage device coupled to the data bus504for storing static information and instructions for the processor501, such as firmware necessary for the operation of the client computer500, basic input-output system (BIOS), as well as various configuration parameters of the client computer501.

In one or more embodiments, the client computer500may incorporate a display device509, which may be also coupled to the data bus504, for displaying various information to a user of the client computer500. In an alternative embodiment, the display509may be associated with a graphics controller and/or graphics processor (not shown). The display device509may be implemented as a liquid crystal display (LCD), manufactured, for example, using a thin-film transistor (TFT) technology or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology, both of which are well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. In various embodiments, the display device509may be incorporated into the same general enclosure with the remaining components of the client computer500. In an alternative embodiment, the display device509may be positioned outside of such enclosure.

In one or more embodiments, the display device509may be implemented in a form of a projector or a mini-projector configured to project information on various objects, such as glasses worn by the user. In one or more embodiments, the display device509may be configured to be mountable on the head of the user. To this end, the display device509may be provided with suitable mounting hardware (not shown).

In one or more embodiments, the client computer500may further incorporate an audio playback device521connected to the data bus504and configured to play various audio files, such as MPEG-3 files, or audio tracks of various video files, such as MPEG-4 files, well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. To this end, the client computer500may also incorporate waive or sound processor or a similar device (not shown).

In one or more embodiments, the client computer500may incorporate one or more input devices, such as a touchscreen interface510for receiving user's tactile commands, a camera511for acquiring still images and video of various objects, as well as a keyboard506, which all may be coupled to the data bus504for communicating information, including, without limitation, images and video, as well as user command selections to the processor501. In an alternative embodiment, input devices may include a system for tracking eye movements of the user (not shown), which may be used to indicate to the client computer500the command selection made by the user.

In one or more embodiments, the client computer500may additionally include a positioning and orientation module503configured to supply data on the current geographical position, spatial orientation as well as acceleration of the client computer500to the processor501via the data bus504. The geographical position information may be obtained by the positioning module503using, for example, global positioning system (GPS) technology and/or other positioning techniques such as by using information provided by proximate cell towers and/or WIFI hotspots. The acceleration data is supplied by one or more accelerometers incorporated into the positioning and orientation module503. Finally, the orientation information may be obtained using acceleration measurements in all 3 axes, including the gravity. In one or more embodiments, the position, orientation and acceleration metadata provided by the positioning and orientation module503is continuously recorded and stored in the data storage unit520.

In one or more embodiments, the client computer500may additionally include a communication interface, such as a network interface505coupled to the data bus504. The network interface505may be configured to establish a connection between the client computer500and the Internet522using at least one of WIFI interface507and the cellular network (GSM or CDMA) adaptor508. The network interface505may be configured to provide a two-way data communication between the client computer500and the Internet522. The WIFI interface507may operate in compliance with 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g and/or 802.11n protocols as well as Bluetooth protocol well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. In an exemplary implementation, the WIFI interface507and the cellular network (GSM or CDMA) adaptor508send and receive electrical or electromagnetic signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.

In one or more embodiments, the Internet522typically provides data communication through one or more sub-networks to other network resources. Thus, the client computer500is capable of accessing a variety of network resources located anywhere on the Internet522, such as remote media servers, web servers, other content servers as well as other network data storage resources. In one or more embodiments, the client computer500is configured send and receive messages, media and other data, including application program code, through a variety of network(s) including Internet522by means of the network interface505. In the Internet example, when the client computer500acts as a network client, it may request code or data for an application program executing on the client computer500. Similarly, it may send various data or computer code to other network resources.

In one or more embodiments, the functionality described herein is implemented by client computer500in response to processor501executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in the memory512. Such instructions may be read into the memory512from another computer-readable medium. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the memory512causes the processor501to perform the various process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the embodiments invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor501for execution. The computer-readable medium is just one example of a machine-readable medium, which may carry instructions for implementing any of the methods and/or techniques described herein. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media.

Common forms of non-transitory computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punchcards, papertape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, a flash drive, a memory card, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read. Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor501for execution. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk from a remote computer. Alternatively, a remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over the Internet522. Specifically, the computer instructions may be downloaded into the memory512of the client computer500from the foresaid remote computer via the Internet522using a variety of network data communication protocols well known in the art.

In one or more embodiments, the memory512of the client computer500may store any of the following software programs, applications or modules:

1. Operating system (OS)513, which may be a mobile operating system for implementing basic system services and managing various hardware components of the client computer500. Exemplary embodiments of the operating system513include, without limitation, Mac OS, Windows, Android, iOS, Windows and Windows Mobile and Linux, which are all well known to persons of skill in the art, as well as any other now known or later developed operating system.

2. Applications514, which may be mobile applications or desktop applications, may include, for example, a set of software applications executed by the processor501of the client computer500, which cause the client computer500to perform certain predetermined functions, such as acquire digital images using the camera511or play media files using the display509and/or an audio playback device521. In one or more embodiments, the applications514may include a gaming client application515.

3. Data storage520may be used, for example, for storing various data necessary for the operation of the client computer500.

FIG. 6is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the computerized server system600upon which the various components of the matchmaking system100described above could be deployed. Specifically, the various modules of the matchmaking system100shown inFIG. 1, including the master module101, the commander modules102, the authentication module103, the worldserver104, the gateways105, the matchmaker106, the database107and the gameservers108could be all deployed on the computerized server system600.

In one or more embodiments, the computerized server system600may incorporate a data bus604, which may be substantially similar and may perform substantially similar functions as the data bus504of the client computer500illustrated inFIG. 5. In various embodiments, the data bus604may use the same or different interconnect and/or communication protocol as the data bus504. The one or more processors (CPUs)601, the network interface605, the EPROM/Firmware storage602, the display609and the keyboard606of the computerized server system600may be likewise substantially similar to the respective processor501, the network interface505, the EPROM/Firmware storage502, the display509and the keyboard506of the client computer500, except that the former components are deployed in a server platform configuration. In various implementations, the one or more processor601may have substantially increased processing power as compared with the processor501.

In addition to the input device606(keyboard), the computerized server system600may additionally include a cursor control device610, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating direction information and command selections to processor601and for controlling cursor movement on the display609. This input device typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in a plane.

The LAN/ISDN adaptor607of the computerized server system600may be implemented, for example, using an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line, which is interfaced with the Internet522using Internet service provider's hardware (not shown). As another example, the LAN/ISDN adaptor607may be a local area network interface card (LAN NIC) to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN and the Internet522. To store various media files, the computerized server system600may be provided with a media storage608connected to the data bus604by means of a storage controller603.

In one or more embodiments, the memory612of the computerized server system600may store any of the following software programs, applications or modules:

1. Server operating system (OS)613, which may be an operating system for implementing basic system services and managing various hardware components of the computerized server system600. Exemplary embodiments of the server operating system613include, without limitation, Linux, Unix, Windows Server, FreeBSD, NetBSD, Mac OSX Server, HP-UX, AIX and Solaris, which are all well known to persons of skill in the art, as well as any other now known or later developed operating system.

2. Network communication module614may incorporate, for example, one or more network protocol stacks which are used to establish a networking connection between the computerized server system600and the various network entities of the Internet522, such as the client computer500, using the network interface605working in conjunction with the LAN/ISDN adaptor607.

3. Server applications615may include, for example, a set of software applications executed by one or more processors601of the computerized server system600, which cause the computerized server system600to perform certain predetermined functions or tasks. In one or more embodiments, the server applications615may include the master module101, the commander modules102, the authentication module103, the worldserver104, the gateways105, the matchmaker106, the database107and the gameservers108.

4. Data storage621may be used, for example, for storing the matchmaking queue, the point values for the players and vehicles, as well as vehicle tier information, as well as any other data used in the aforesaid matchmaking process described above.

Finally, it should be understood that processes and techniques described herein are not inherently related to any particular apparatus and may be implemented by any suitable combination of components. Further, various types of general purpose devices may be used in accordance with the teachings described herein. It may also prove advantageous to construct specialized apparatus to perform the method steps described herein. The present invention has been described in relation to particular examples, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many different combinations of hardware, software, and firmware will be suitable for practicing the present invention. For example, the described software may be implemented in a wide variety of programming or scripting languages, such as Assembler, C/C++, Objective-C, perl, shell, PHP, Java, as well as any now known or later developed programming or scripting language.

Moreover, other implementations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. Various aspects and/or components of the described embodiments may be used singly or in any combination in a computerized matchmaking system and method for massive multiplayer online games. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.