At Mobile Premier League (MPL), India’s leading skill-gaming platform, our top priority is delivering an exceptional user experience, where fair play and competitive integrity are at the core of everything we do. With over 120 million users enjoying a range of games from casual titles like Ludo and Snakes & Ladders to more strategic games such as Poker, Rummy, and Cricket, creating an environment where every player feels they have a fair shot is crucial. That’s where skill-matching comes into play.
What is Skill-Matching and How Does It Ensure Fair Play?
At its heart, skill-matching is the process of pairing players in competitive games based on their relative abilities. This ensures that players face opponents of similar skill levels, creating balanced and enjoyable gameplay for everyone involved. It’s an essential aspect of competitive gaming, as it prevents mismatches where more experienced players would dominate, offering a more rewarding experience for all users, whether they are new to the platform or seasoned veterans.
To make this happen, MPL uses sophisticated machine learning (ML) models to assess and understand each user’s skill level. By analyzing a player’s performance across numerous games, we can place them in matches with opponents who offer a similar challenge. The result? More balanced, exciting matches where outcomes are determined by skill. Further, our platform ensures fairness beyond just skill. This means that all players experience the same game elements, so no one gets an unfair advantage in terms of game conditions.
A Framework Inspired by the ELO System Used for Chess
In the broader context of skill-based gaming, frameworks like Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM), which is inspired by systems like the ELO rating used in chess, play a crucial role in ensuring fairness. SBMM pairs players based on their skill levels, reducing the influence of chance in determining the outcome of matches. This helps distinguish games of skill from those of chance, which has been the subject of legal debates for over 150 years.
A report released by Evam Law and Policy, a Delhi-based think tank, earlier this year proposed the integration of SBMM in the Indian skill-gaming sector. The system builds on the ELO system developed by Arpad Elo, an American-Hungarian physicist, which offers an objective way to rate players based on their past performances, removing subjective biases. The framework has been designed to clarify the legal distinction between games of skill and chance, a question that has fueled legal battles in India for decades.
Shashank Reddy, the founder of Evam Law and Policy, explained: “Implementing SBMM requires a well-designed skill-rating model that considers factors like relative computation, mean value representation, and quick convergence to ensure fair and engaging gameplay. The balance between accuracy and simplicity is crucial in selecting a skill-rating model that is both effective and user-friendly.”
For MPL, adopting such systems ensures that we are always on the cutting edge of creating fair and competitive matches for all players, providing an experience where players’ skills — not external factors — ultimately determine success.
The Role of Personalization in Enhancing User Experience
In addition to skill-matching, personalization plays a crucial role in enhancing the user experience at MPL. Initially, players were presented with a standard selection of games. However, as part of our continuous improvements, we’ve introduced a more tailored approach. For instance, if a user arrives through a specific advertisement or campaign, we immediately present them with games that align with their interests, increasing engagement and user satisfaction.
Our machine learning algorithms work in real-time to adapt to a player’s behavior — whether it’s their game preferences or how often they play. This helps us make highly relevant recommendations to users, ensuring they always have the most enjoyable and engaging experiences on the platform.
Combatting Fraud and Ensuring a Secure, Fair Environment
Fair play is not just about skill; it’s also about maintaining an environment free from unfair manipulation. To this end, MPL employs robust fraud detection systems and data encryption technologies to keep gameplay secure. By running real-time ML models that are trained over millions of games, we’re able to identify and prevent cheating, including actions like hacking or manipulating game outcomes. These safeguards are critical in maintaining the trust of our massive user base.
Handling Internet and Network Fluctuations for Seamless Gameplay
MPL’s platform is designed to handle network fluctuations and disruptions caused by issues like poor internet connectivity or user-led application interruptions. These disruptions can be frustrating, but our platform is built to ensure that gameplay is minimally impacted. We work tirelessly to ensure minimal disconnections, allowing users to focus on the game, not on technical issues.
The Future is Continuous Innovation
While skill-matching is a critical part of ensuring fair play, we are always working to enhance the user experience further. Our platform is continually evolving, and our team is focused on innovations that enhance matchmaking, improve fraud prevention, and deliver a seamless experience despite network issues.
We are also monitoring and exploring new ideas for improving matchmaking algorithms to accommodate the diverse gaming styles and preferences of our users. This might include incorporating even more granular data on user performance and adjusting matchmaking strategies in real-time.
As the Indian gaming sector continues to grow rapidly, MPL remains dedicated to offering a platform where fairness, integrity, and fun are at the forefront. Whether it’s through advanced skill-matching technologies, personalized experiences, or robust fraud prevention, we are committed to providing players with an environment where their skills — and not luck or external factors — determine the outcome of the game.
With a focus on continuously improving our platform and adapting to player needs, MPL is setting the standard for a fair, secure, and highly engaging gaming experience, bringing users together to compete and enjoy gaming at its finest.