Matchmaking System

## Find Opponents and Play Ranked Matches The Matchmaking System on Spaghetti Showdown lets you find opponents for ranked matches without waiting for a tournament. Queue up for a game, get matched with a player of similar skill, play your set, and report the results — all through the platform. ### How the Queue System Works The matchmaking queue is designed to be simple and fast: 1. **Select your game** from the list of supported titles 2. **Choose your character** (optional but recommended for better matchmaking) 3. **Select your preferred match format** — First to 2 (FT2), First to 3 (FT3), or First to 5 (FT5) 4. **Click Queue** to enter the matchmaking pool Once you are in the queue, the system searches for another player who is queued for the same game with a similar ELO rating. The matchmaking algorithm prioritizes: - **ELO proximity** — Players closest to your rating are preferred - **Queue time** — The longer you wait, the wider the ELO range becomes to ensure you find a match - **Connection quality** — When possible, the system favors opponents in your geographic region for better connection ### Finding Your Opponent When a match is found, both players receive a notification with the following information: - **Opponent name** and profile link - **Opponent ELO rating** for the selected game - **Match format** (FT2, FT3, or FT5) - **Accept and Decline buttons** — Both players must accept within 60 seconds or the match is cancelled If either player declines or the timer expires, both players are returned to the queue. Repeated declines may result in a temporary matchmaking cooldown. ### Playing the Match After both players accept, you are placed in a **match lobby**. The lobby provides: - **Chat** — Communicate with your opponent to coordinate platform and connection details - **Platform selection** — Indicate which gaming platform you are playing on (PlayStation, PC, Xbox, etc.) - **Connection info** — Share your in-game username, room code, or lobby details Play your set according to the agreed format. The platform trusts players to conduct matches honestly and sportingly. ### Reporting Scores After the set is complete, both players report the result: 1. **Click Report Score** in the match lobby 2. **Enter the final score** (e.g., 3-1 for an FT3) 3. **Submit** — if both players report the same result, the match is finalized immediately If the reported scores conflict, the match is flagged for review. A moderator may reach out to both players to resolve the discrepancy. Once finalized, the match result updates both players ELO ratings and appears in their match history. ### Matchmaking Etiquette - **Accept matches promptly** — Do not queue if you are not ready to play - **Communicate clearly** — Use the lobby chat to coordinate connection details - **Report honestly** — Inaccurate score reporting undermines the system for everyone - **Be respectful** — Win or lose, good sportsmanship makes the experience better for everyone - **Leave feedback** — Rate your match experience to help improve the matchmaking system The matchmaking system is the fastest way to get competitive games on Spaghetti Showdown outside of tournament play.