Configure Matchmaking Hoppers (Service Configuration)

This topic provides procedures for adding and changing matchmaking hoppers in the service configuration for a title.

For an overall introduction to the various elements of the service configuration, see Introducing Service Configuration.

Sections in this topic:

What is a matchmaking hopper?

An optional addition to the Xbox multiplayer service is the new Xbox server-based matchmaking service, which provides a method of grouping players together based on information provided by the title or stored in user statistics, or based on the user’s preferences, or based on quality of service.

Because Xbox One matchmaking is server-based, users can provide a request to the service and then be notified later, whenever a match is found. That is: the user is not forced to wait in your title while the matchmaking process occurs-they are free to play the single-player portion of your title, or even to play other titles, and still be candidates for matchmaking. This eliminates the need to achieve a “critical mass” of players before matches can be found.

Create a matchmaking hopper

To create a new matchmaking hopper for a multiplayer session template

  1. On the Service Configuration Tasks page for the product instance, click Multiplayer & Matchmaking .
  2. On the Multiplayer & Matchmaking page, under Session Templates, click the session template to which you want to add a matchmaking hopper.

    Important Ensure that the session template that you clicked is selected (highlighted) before you continue.

  3. Under Matchmaking Hoppers, click New.
  4. In the Add New Hopper dialog box, specify the values that you want in the following fields.
    • Name - Enter a name that characterizes the matchmaking hopper, and that you will easily remember and recognize.
      The name must be a text string, with a maximum of 256 characters.
    • Min Group Size - Specify the minimum acceptable number of players.
      Minimum value is 2.
    • Max Group Size - Specify the maximum acceptable number of players.
      Maximum value is 256.
    • Should Rule Expansion Cycles - The default value is 3.
      The default value should not need to be changed for normal player populations.
  5. Adding rules to your matchmaking hopper is optional. To add rules, use the procedure in the following subsection.
  6. When you have all of the fields, values, and rules (if any) for your new matchmaking hopper the way that you want them, click Add Hopper to create the matchmaking hopper and close the dialog box.

Your new matchmaking hopper is now listed on the Multiplayer & Matchmaking page whenever its session template is selected.

Change a matchmaking hopper

Important

After a title passes Final Certification, existing matchmaking hoppers in that title can no longer be changed or deleted.

To make changes to an existing matchmaking hopper:

  1. On the Multiplayer & Matchmaking page, under Matchmaking Hoppers, click the Edit icon for the matchmaking hopper that you want to make changes to.
  2. In the Edit Hopper dialog box, make the changes that you want.

    Note It is possible to delete custom rules, but not to delete the default rules that were provided automatically when the hopper was created.

  3. When all of the options are the way that you want them, click Save Hopper.

Delete a matchmaking hopper

Important

After a title passes Final Certification, existing matchmaking hoppers in that title can no longer be changed or deleted.

To delete an existing matchmaking hopper:

  1. On the Multiplayer & Matchmaking page, under Matchmaking Hoppers, click the Delete icon for the matchmaking hopper that you want to delete.
  2. In the Delete Hopper dialog box, confirm the deletion by clicking Delete Hopper.

    Important Deletion of a hopper is a permanent action and can’t be undone or reversed. Deleting a hopper deletes all its rules.