Matchmaking for gamers?

[Sacrosanct]

Does it exist, and if not, why not? I was talking with someone yesterday about the Shawna/Monte checklist survey that's been the topic of discussion. And we were thinking, dating sites like PoF, Match, OKCupid, etc all have matchmaking software. So why couldn't there be one for gamers? Not dating, but matchmaking like minded groups. Instead of questions like "Are you liberal v conservative" "Do you like activity X, Y Z", ask questions like "Check off the following topics you want to avoid in a game, and which ones you most like to see in a game."

Just thinking out loud. I think that could probably have value. And save a lot of time (my biggest reason for not using that survey is because it takes a lot of time to do it and compile results, and every minute of gaming in a setting like a convention are precious).

 

[Umbran]

Having a pre-game player survey (or at least some discussion of what folks want out of a game) is a thing that many GMs do. I usually do something along these lines when starting a new campaign.

Having a matchmaking service based on those preferences is a much larger endeavor.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Having a pre-game player survey (or at least some discussion of what folks want out of a game) is a thing that many GMs do. I usually do something along these lines when starting a new campaign.

Having a matchmaking service based on those preferences is a much larger endeavor.

Well, the matchmaking would be done outside of the actual event. Like it currently is with dating. For example, a convention could have all the tables already determined before it even starts so people could get right to gaming. I typically do a quick discussion with new players, but I don't to a full on survey. If you've got a 3 hour window to game, spending 30 minutes having folks fill out a survey and then going over results and then modifying the table based on those results takes too much of that actual game time window. IMO.

 

[Umbran]

Well, the matchmaking would be done outside of the actual event.

I mean it is a bigger deal more in a computational sense. You have to take all that data, and have some algorithm that matches players with a few possible tables, and get the suggestions back to the player so they can then choose what table to go through. That's not trivial.

 

[BookBarbarian]

An LFG app that takes carious survey options into consideration is certainly possible, but it would be a big endeavor as Umbran says.

Also I'm not sure if the return would be there as it would be as complex as that matchmaking software is but those companies make some big money.

 

[LordEntrails]

Where's the money? Who would invest the money in such a system and why?