Title:

Exploring Player-Centric and Interaction-Aware Matchmaking Systems: Innovations in Dynamic Orchestration, Player Influence, and In-Match Adaptability

 
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Introduction: Matchmaking systems have long been central to multiplayer game design, shaping not only competitive balance but also player retention and overall satisfaction. Traditional models such as Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) and Engagement-Optimized Matchmaking (EOMM) prioritize fairness or monetization through engagement metrics. However, these systems often operate as opaque, fixed structures that do not adapt meaningfully to real-time player behavior, nor do they acknowledge the interactive social dynamics occurring within and across matches. This research proposes a new direction: the development and evaluation of player-centric, interaction-aware matchmaking systems that leverage dynamic orchestration, offer opportunities for player influence over match variables, and incorporate adaptive mechanisms that respond to emergent in-match behaviors. Inspired by trends in dynamic difficulty adjustment, narrative design, and behavioral telemetry, the study aims to expand matchmaking into a fluid, context-sensitive system that functions more like a responsive game director than a static filter. By investigating how players perceive and respond to these adaptive systems—especially in terms of perceived agency, fairness, and replay desire—we aim to contribute a more human-centered understanding of multiplayer game architecture. This work aspires not only to refine matchmaking as a system, but to reimagine it as a co-creative, dynamic layer of the multiplayer experience.