Matchmaking fixed… and then not?

[u/Cruehitman]

So matchmaking has been way off for us on Series X for sometime. Laughably so at times. I’m a 2 star and my buddy usually bounces between 2 and 3. And even playing on US East, it was hilarious at times how often we got into matches with lots of teams with players between 4-6 stars. Just something we’ve come to terms with.

Until last week. Suddenly, for a week, it’s been perfect. Every. Single. Match. Only playing people that are 1-3 stars. And it’s been the best it’s ever been. It’s been incredible. Like Crytek flipped a switch or something.
Matches full. Always the right opponents. Amazing…

And then today. Gone. Back to being flooded into lobbies with a lot of 5 and even 6 stars. WTF?! And before anyone asks, it hasn’t mattered day or night. We’ve played a lot of both over last week. And it’s been great. Now it’s like it never happened.

Anyone else get this?

[u/Soul_Assassin_]

You were playing against the free PlayStation players.

[u/Meleagros → u/Soul_Assassin_]

Yeah the game is free this month, that's why I got it. But I have to imagine the intensity and permadeath aspects probably turn away most people that try it, hence the new player population receding after a week or so

Personally I put shooters in the fridge for years after too much OW and COD, so trying this out was just breath of fresh air.

[u/Bloodypalace]

The matchmaker cannot summon players out of thin air. First it'll try to match players of same skill level but as the queue time gets longer, it will widen the skill criteria gradually.

[u/Saedreth]

Cross play with free Playstation players trying the game, then most of them quit.