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Forums - Gaming Discussion - Patent reveals Activision uses matchmaking to encourage players to buy more microtransactions

Rolling Stone magazine has uncovered a new patent from Activision that was filed in 2015 that talks about how the company wants to design their matchmaking systems in their titles. Activision was granted the patent earlier this month by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

This new patent appears to be about how Activision plans to use “tricks” in their matchmaking system to lure players to purchase more in-game items through the course of playing a game. Specifically, the patent mentions that high skilled players get paired with low-skilled players to purposefully encourage low-skilled players to spend more money to get better in-game items to match up against higher skilled players.

“For example, in one implementation, the system may include a microtransaction engine that arranges matches to influence game-related purchases. For instance, the microtransaction engine may match a more expert/marquee player with a junior player to encourage the junior player to make game-related purchases of items possessed/used by the marquee player. A junior player may wish to emulate the marquee player by obtaining weapons or other items used by the marquee player.”

Furthermore, the patent describes that Activision could use the matchmaking data to encourage players to buy specific items they want, for example a sniper rifle.

“In a particular example, the junior player may wish to become an expert sniper in a game (e.g., as determined from the player profile). The microtransaction engine may match the junior player with a player that is a highly skilled sniper in the game. In this manner, the junior player may be encouraged to make game-related purchases such as a rifle or other item used by the marquee player.”

The patent also details that Activision may matchmake those who own a specific micro DLC item with those who do not, which could encourage the player who does not own the DLC item to purchase in-game credits to get it.

“Microtransaction engine 128 may analyze various items used by marquee players and, if at least one of the items is currently being offered for sale (with or without a promotion), match the marquee player with another player (e.g., a junior player) that does not use or own the item. Similarly, microtransaction engine 128 may identify items offered for sale, identify marquee players that use or possess those items, and match the marquee players with other players who do not use or possess those items. In this manner, microtransaction engine 128 may leverage the matchmaking abilities described herein to influence purchase decisions for game-related purchases.”

The patent also reveals how Activision could make players more encouraged to purchase additional in-game content after an initial purchase. The new engine they received a patent for would allow Activision to matchmake players with DLC items into games which highlight the power of the DLC item, leading players to feel satisfied with the purchase to buy additional content because of the gratification of the purchase.

“In an implementation, when a player makes a game-related purchase, microtransaction engine 128 may encourage future purchases by matching the player (e.g., using matchmaking described herein) in a gameplay session that will utilize the game-related purchase. Doing so may enhance a level of enjoyment by the player for the game-related purchase, which may encourage future purchases. For example, if the player purchased a particular weapon, microtransaction engine 128 may match the player in a gameplay session in which the particular weapon is highly effective, giving the player an impression that the particular weapon was a good purchase. This may encourage the player to make future purchases to achieve similar gameplay results.”

In the summary of the patent, Activision claims that in a certain implementation of a new microtransaction engine, they could “arranges matches to influence game-related purchases.”

Source: https://charlieintel.com/2017/10/17/patent-reveals-activision-uses-matchmaking-encourage-players-buy-microtransactions/



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Lovely.

That is sure to piss off a lot of people. Let's ignore the unethical aspect and just look at it from a good players standpoint.

They are being paired up with or against shitty players so that those shitty players are enticed to purchase stuff.

Have fun playing against 'noobs' for the sake of money.



I'm not surprised at all. I've always thought that this was the strategy that some online MP games use.



Stay far away from my Switch Activision.



"The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must" - Thoukydides

Games as a service + microtransactions = no thanks.



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Damn that's some next-level bullshit right there.



This is Activision. so to be honest I'm not suprisesd.



Brilliant



We Will Never Stop Looking for New Ways to Bleed You Dry



Glad I play mostly single player games now. I hate companies that can't make their money off the initial sell and then just be happy people enjoy their product.