Matchmaking

Matchmaking is a system that allows players on Xbox Live to be matched with other, random players for online game play.

Halo
Halo: Combat Evolved did not have a matchmaking system. However, Halo PC allows players to select a game from a large list and enter it.

Halo 2
Halo 2 has a system of matchmaking integrated into its Xbox Live feature. There are two options, Optimatch and Quickmatch. Optimatch allows players to select a type of game from a playlist, while Quickmatch simply places you into the last used playtype.

Playlist
In Optimatch, there is a list of different types of matches you can enter.

Ranked:
 * Rumble Pit
 * Team Skirmish
 * Team Snipers
 * Big Team Battle
 * Clanmatch
 * Double Team
 * Team Slayer
 * 6 vs 6
 * Team Hardcore
 * Rumble Hardcore

Unranked:
 * Multi-Team
 * Team Training
 * Rumble Training
 * Team ActionSack

Each type has different game types, maps, weapon sets, and other specifics about it, allowing players to select a specific one.

Rank
For the "ranked" game types (see above), a player has a stat between 1-50. When entering any of the above ranked game types, they are matched with players around their own rank. If the player wins, the Matchmaking software calculates how many experience points he or she wins. Likewise, if a player loses, the Matchmaking software deducts a certain amount of experience points from the player. The person's rank cooresponds to the amount of experience points that they have.

Unranked games do not effect experience points/ranks, and you can be put together in a game with any player. These game types disregard rank.

Note: You cannot bring guests (people who are on your Xbox console along with you) into ranked games (however you can have them in unranked games). You can send other players invites to go into ranked Matchmaking with you. However, if there is a drastic difference between the ranks of the players in your party, the player with the highest rank is used for searching for the games.

Halo 3
Halo 3's matchmaking system for Xbox Live is still unknown, however it will probably mimick Halo 2's, due to the success in this system.

Related Links

 * Multiplayer
 * Xbox Live