Fortnite got skill-based matchmaking in a recent patch, a system that intends to put players of similar skill in games together. Players quickly noticed that the new matchmaking queued players up across different platforms, even though this wasnât mentioned in the patch notes. Today, Epic addressed the issue and said that things are working as intended.
In a blog post titled âMatchmaking, Bots, Controls, and the Combine Update,â Epic touched on the cross-platform issue. The developer wrote:
Weâve seen a lot of discussion about potentially unfair competitive advantages from pooling players together across platforms and input devices. The new matchmaking system, however, accounts for various skill levels across different platforms and control inputs, and groups players of similar skill levels together.
Our goal with the new matchmaking system is to create fairer matches for all of our players, which includes special considerations for each platform. This means that where similar skill exists, players may be paired against opponents from ALL platforms â whether theyâre using mouse + keyboard, a controller, or touch input. We are closely monitoring match analytics and your feedback, and weâll make adjustments to ensure everyone is playing a fair match.
Itâs a bit of a Polyanna-ish response, basically telling players not to worry about facing off against opponents whose platform or input device might give them a gameplay advantage by saying that itâll all even out somehow. Cross-platform matchmaking introduces some tricky questions. For example, does the potential framerate difference between console and PC give PC players an advantage? As a Reddit commenter notes, âA switch player capped at an unstable 30 FPS is still going to be at a disadvantage to a pc player that can play at over 60 FPS. It doesnât matter the skill level.â Are a mobile phone and PC player of similar âskillâ actually equally matched given their inputs? As anothercommenter points out, âPC has massive hardware advantages compared to Switch, phone or console. As it is Iâm paired against a lot of pc players on console, and despite their lack of game sense, they still aim well due to having a mouse.â This has been an issue thatâs riled up a lot of Fortniteâs player base, and Epic telling players to just trust their opaque system doesnât seem to be helping.
Todayâs post contains some additional interesting Fortnite nuggets. Chief among them is that The Combine, a new limited-time obstacle course against bots, is sticking around for the long haul. âWe intend to keep The Combine as a core mode to Fortnite Battle Royale for the foreseeable future,â Epic wrote. Iâve only played through The Combineâs course a couple of times, but Iâve found it to be a great way to warm up and practice my aim, so Iâm glad to see it remain in the game.
Epic also provided some answers about adding bots to the main game modes, which is set to happen in the new season that launches next week. The initial implementation of bots will be somewhat limited at first: they wonât be able to drive vehicles or perform a tricky build move called a 90, though Epic writes that âlong term weâre looking to see how far we can push our Bots.â Players wonât be able to squad up with or spectate bots. Interestingly, under a section titled âCan I play a match entirely against Bots?â, Epic wrote, âWeâre looking into a âvs. Botâ mode as a means to sharpen your skills, explore the map, and help elevate your game to the next level.â Being able to play a whole practice match against bots Ă la Overwatch would be a welcome addition to Fortnite
Season 11 starts next weekend, on October 13. Weâll see how the bots pan out, as well as how the matchmaking system evolves.
