In recent weeks there has been a lot of discussion about the lack of public games which has led to cries of “the game is dying†or “everyone has leftâ€. Just to make sure we all understand how the public game numbers work, Blizzard has clarified how the system changed after v1.3.According to Blizzard, the matchmaking system was changed so less new public games are created when matchmaking and players are filtered more efficiently into existing games to fill them up. These games, once full, do not show up as open public games when queried. To the player it looks like there are now less public games, (and therefore less players), when in fact there is probably the same amount.
We’ve recently seen a lot of questions from players regarding the number displayed in the Public Games window — specifically, what the number represents and why it’s changed so drastically since patch1.0.3released.
Here’s the skinny:
1) What does the number displayed in the Public Games window actually represent?The number that displays in the Public Games window represents the total number of games currently available to your hero, based on your game region and mode (Hardcore heroes qualify for a different set of Public Games). The number does not represent private games or Public Games that already have four players. Players hanging out in the character menus or using the auction house are not considered here either.
2) Why did that number suddenly change so much after patch1.0.3?
Prior to patch1.0.3, the in-game matchmaking system would often create new Public Games instead of filling existing games to their maximum capacity of four players. That configuration was to help reduce server load within individual games (fewer players, less load); however, it caused situations where players were rarely being placed into full games, and our goal has always been to promote the four player cooperative experience in Diablo III.