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Why you hate SBMM and what you can do about it

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2024-12-20 10:10:13

What Really Is SBMM?

SBMM is Skilled Based Match Making, in short, Matchmaking. It is the reason that makes you, who are sweaty, playing against even more sweaty players that destroy their PC/console if they only get ONE death. But realistically how does it work? It is an engine that Activision patent in the US where it would match you with others that has microtransaction so you may also make a microtransaction. Yes it is not really skilled based but microtransaction based.

Patent US10857468B2

Now disclaimer, this may not or may be all of what SBMM is but certainly has influenced how you are match made. Whey they say may it means do for potential legal issues.

According to an aspect of the invention, microtransaction engine 128 may arrange matches to influence game-related purchases. Game-related purchases may include an acquisition by a player of an item in exchange for a fee, such as a real currency fee, a virtual currency fee, and/or other type of fee. The item may include an in-game item (e.g., a power-up, virtual weaponry, a virtual vehicle, an extra life, an extended life, etc.), a new level or map, and/or other item that may be used in relation to a game.

For example, microtransaction engine 128 may match a more expert/marquee or otherwise influential player (e.g., clan leader) with a junior player to encourage the junior player to make game-related purchases. A junior player may wish to emulate a marquee player by obtaining weapons or other items used by the marquee player. Other types of pairings and/or other groupings of players may be used as well.

We can all say any COD streamer is an influential player [Marquee Player] so if you did not purchase ANY microtransactions you "MAY" match against them so that you could obtain their weapons. However if this player is a child, they do not have any understand of the concept of gambling. (We will further detail how gambling is related later). Why is gambling restricted to 18 or 21 of age and not under?

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.

In an implementation, microtransaction engine 128 may target particular players to make game-related purchases based on their interests. For example, microtransaction engine 128 may identify a junior player to match with a marquee player based on a player profile of the junior player. 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). Microtransaction engine 128 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 highly skilled sniper.

The engine described analyzes that it sees what you have bought and matches you with others that use or have the item and influences the matchmaking so you will be facing them so others "MAY" also make microtransactions. GO F****** CAPITALISM It doesnt stop there, A Newbie may also match with a marquee player based on how the newbie plays. One example is if you like to camp with a sniper rifle a lot then you will face a marquee player with good sniping skills such as the new automatic shotgun and the Special weapon in BO6 that you can purchase instead of grinding to unlock them. This "MAY" encourage that newbie to purchase those bundles instead of grinding. GO F****** CAPITALISM. Now for the banger.

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.

This is the gambling issue. The system "MAY" encourage a matching player that has made a microtransaction such as the Special weapon in BO6. It will put you in a match where you STOMP the enemy team hence the so called SBMM where you get some high 2.0 KD then 0.7 KD next game. It would give the player the impression that it is THAT good. This then lead to gambling.

Gambling

In definition or what it is meant to mean, "Gambling (also known as betting or gaming) is the wagering of something of value ("the stakes") on a random event with the intent of winning something else of value, where instances of strategy are discounted."

When you place a bet to win a car as the grand prize or a sum of value in cash, that is gambling.

In the case of COD, specifically the past years and now. You are given the impression that your weapon is highly effective, giving the impression of that particular purchase was a good one even if its not. In gambling, it is the same, you are given the impression that you can win more after that win against the house. In COD, you may not think of it however one microtransaction means you are betting to achieve similar results as one would do in a casino, to achieve similar results the last time you won.

Ref: 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.

Laws In The US

There are two laws that is know publicly this system may violate, Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 and 18 U.S.C. 1084 - Transmission of wagering information; penalties.

Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914

Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 does not just create Commission, it also prevents unfair and deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce.

This two part system as detailed before, where the engine influences microtransactions is not known to the public and the public keeps being deceived that when they purchased a particular weapon such as the automatic shotgun instead of grinding they are given the impression that particular weapon is effective so they would make more microtransactions to achieve similar results. You are only being IMPRESSED in other words BEING DECEIVED that the particular weapon is effective to affect commerce.

18 U.S.C. 1084 - Transmission of wagering information; penalties

California has the strictest gambling control in the United States, One example is that they do not allow any other table games other than Card Games. Roulette must have cards instead of the ball. No Craps. All these table games must have a third party "Banker" to payout chips. They have said that matters pertaining to the use of the Internet for gambling purposes are generally believed to be covered by the Federal Wire Act (18 U.S.C. Section 1084) making them credible for this information.

If is is proven in court that this system is a form of online gambling then it is illegal under this code. First this has to be put into having a probable cause for this case to happen.

What You Can Do.

You can help by convincing the United States government to take potential legal action by submitting this issue to them at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/form/main. They did do something similar as they settled with Epic Games on Fortnite few years ago.

Source: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3386427013

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