Respawn answers burning questions on Apex matchmaking and more ⇒ ALegends

Apex Legends has had its fair share of player concerns surrounding matchmaking, solo experiences, and rewards. Yesterday, Respawn opened up on Reddit to answer some of these questions, providing some big answers to long-standing issues. Fans got a peek into what Respawn has been considering for matchmaking changes, future ranked rewards, and even potential drop adjustments. Let’s break down the main responses and what they could mean for Apex Legends.

Why is matchmaking more intense in normal modes compared to ranked?

A common question from the community revolves around why normal matchmaking feels harder than ranked. Respawn provided some clarity, stating that the reason for this intensity is due to the larger skill gap in unranked modes. In ranked, the player pool is more balanced with the rank system in place, but in normal matchmaking, high-skilled Players may find themselves facing opponents of greater skill near the end of a match. If ranked is seeing more players, this might explain why it feels less intense compared to unranked.

Will solo players get their own dedicated queue?

Another major question was whether Respawn would ever implement a matchmaking system that splits solo players from full squads. Respawn has tested this in the past, but the results weren’t promising. The analysis showed that it didn’t significantly improve match skill balance and instead increased queue times. Instead, Respawn is focusing on improving squadmate matchmaking, trying to find players whose skills and playstyles align better, even if they’re from different queue types.

Could solo players expect a better experience soon?

Respawn assured players that they are working on improving Solo Queue experiences. Instead of creating a dedicated solo queue, which could result in long wait times and disrupt the RP economy, Respawn plans to match solo players with better-aligned teammates. They’re exploring options based on things like communication styles, Movement patterns, and even where players tend to drop, in hopes of making the solo experience smoother and less frustrating.

Engagement-based matchmaking – Is it real?

The specter of engagement-based matchmaking (EBM), a controversial system that manipulates player experience to keep them playing longer, has been raised by the community. Respawn denied using EBM, explaining that the game’s matchmaking system is based on skill, region, and mode preferences. The developers stated that while certain badges (like the 20-bomb or 4k) may give a false impression of skill, they don’t represent the overall matchmaking experience.

What about POI drops in ranked matches?

In what could be a significant shift for the game, Respawn acknowledged the possibility of implementing Point of Interest (POI) drops in ranked matches. This would eliminate the drop ship and allow players to directly drop into a random POI. While this has already been tested at higher levels (such as ALGS), the devs confirmed that it was a feature they were considering for ranked lobbies but couldn’t confirm when it might be added.

Why does duo-queue seem to give worse randoms?

One interesting question asked why players seem to get worse randoms when duo-queuing in ranked compared to solo-queue. Respawn responded that the matchmaking system is consistent for both scenarios. The issue seems to stem from the high variance in player motivations and playstyles, which may lead to mismatches when duoing with a random. However, it’s not uncommon for players to feel like their duo-queued teammate isn’t as good as their solo queue teammates.

Will skill-based matchmaking ever be removed?

Perhaps one of the most controversial topics among the community is whether skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) will ever be removed from public matches. Respawn has made it clear that SBMM is here to stay, as removing it would lead to lopsided lobbies, where high-skill players would dominate lower-skilled ones. However, Respawn is actively working on improving the matchmaking system to provide more balanced games for players across all skill levels.

Bringing players back to Apex

Finally, one of the most pressing concerns is player retention. Respawn acknowledged that while their matchmaking system is designed to create fairer games, they are also focusing on improving the experience for solo players and attracting new players. One way they plan to do this is by introducing bots into lower-skilled lobbies to help newer players get up to speed without being overwhelmed by high-level opponents.

Respawn is continuously fine-tuning their matchmaking system to provide a better overall experience, but it’s clear that they’re still exploring many ways to improve Apex Legends’ solo and ranked systems.

For more details on Respawn’s matchmaking answers, check out the Reddit thread here.