TL;DR: According to IGN's interview with Hidetaka Miyazaki, The Duskbloods will use a tiered matchmaking approach — highly skilled players will be matched with other skilled players, and new players will be matched with other newcomers. This is great news for anyone worried about getting stomped by veterans on day one.
If you've been on the fence about diving into The Duskbloods because you're afraid of getting destroyed by experienced players, you can rest easy. Miyazaki has explicitly stated that the game's matchmaking system will work in a "ranked" fashion, preventing beginners from being thrown into lobbies full of veterans.
This means that first-time players will most likely encounter others who are also learning the game, rather than being "farmed" by top-tier players right out of the gate.
Why This Matters for New Duskbloods Players
As a multiplayer game centered around competitive PvPvE encounters, the biggest concern for new players isn't graphics or weapon variety — it's: "Will I even have a chance to enjoy the game when I start?"
Miyazaki's statement directly addresses this:
- Skilled players are prioritized to match with other skilled players
- New players are prioritized to match with other newcomers
- The system aims to avoid the worst experiences caused by extreme skill gaps
This brings three immediate benefits to beginners:
1) A Friendlier Learning Curve
You can learn the controls, mechanics, and pacing in a relatively fair environment, instead of getting instantly obliterated in your first match.
2) Losses Still Have Value
In many multiplayer games with progression systems, losing doesn't mean "zero progress." As long as you're exploring, unlocking content, and understanding the systems during a match, your time investment is still worthwhile.
3) Easier to Push Through to "Getting Good"
Many players don't actually dislike the game — they quit because the first few matches were miserable. A fairer matchmaking system helps beginners survive the initial learning curve and gradually discover what makes The Duskbloods truly enjoyable.
What Exactly Did Miyazaki Say? (Original Quote)
When asked by IGN about how the game ensures a good experience for newcomers, Miyazaki responded:
"In terms of really, really good players, we definitely plan on having the matchmaking system work in a way so it's ranked, and players who are really good tend to be matched with other players who are great, and players who are new tend to be matched with other new players…"
In other words: Skilled players tend to match with skilled players, and new players tend to match with new players, preventing newcomers from facing extreme skill disparities right from the start.
This quote is the primary source for the widespread discussion in the community about The Duskbloods using SBMM to protect beginners.
Is The Duskbloods Using Strict SBMM? Don't Jump to Conclusions
While many outlets have summarized Miyazaki's words as "the game uses SBMM," a more accurate reading of the original English statement suggests:
What's Emphasized: "Tiered/Skill-Based Matching"
In practice:
- Skilled players are more likely to match with other skilled players
- New players are more likely to match with other newcomers
It Doesn't Necessarily Mean a Specific Algorithm
In other words, the core goal is to protect newcomers and reduce smurfing, but it may not be an exact copy of the strict "hidden MMR per match" SBMM model used in some competitive shooters.
A more precise statement would be: The Duskbloods will use a tiered matchmaking approach that prioritizes the new player experience.
Conclusion: New Duskbloods Players Can Jump In With Confidence
Based on all publicly available information:
- Miyazaki has explicitly stated that The Duskbloods will favor tiered, skill-based matchmaking
- New players are more likely to be matched with other newcomers
- This is designed to reduce "smurfing" and help beginners get started
So, first-time players of The Duskbloods don't need to worry too much. Instead of stressing about getting crushed by veterans, focus on understanding the mechanics, learning the maps, and building your fundamentals.