Game matchmaking FAQ
Pairiquium is a hosted matchmaking backend for multiplayer games. These are the questions developers ask most. For setup steps, see the documentation.
What is matchmaking-as-a-service?
Matchmaking-as-a-service is a hosted backend that places players into matches for your multiplayer game. Your game sends players into a queue, the service forms balanced matches using rules you configure, and it tells your game when a match is ready. Pairiquium handles the queues, matching and match formation; you keep your own game servers.
How does Pairiquium match players?
Each game mode uses one of three algorithms. MMR-based modes match players by skill rating, starting from a tolerance range that widens every second a player waits. Ping-based modes match by network latency. First-come-first-served (FIFO) modes match players in the order they joined. Teams are balanced on average skill or ping where that signal exists.
Which game engines does Pairiquium support?
There is an open-source Unity SDK for Unity 2021.3 LTS or newer on Windows and Linux desktop builds (WebGL is not supported). Any other engine can integrate through the web API, which uses a ticket endpoint on your backend and a WebSocket connection for searching and match notifications. There are no Unreal or Godot SDKs yet.
Do I need to host my game servers with Pairiquium?
No. Pairiquium only does the matchmaking. When a match is formed, it sends each player a match-found message and calls a webhook on your backend with the match details, including each player's team. Allocating a game server and getting players into it stays in your hands.
How much does game matchmaking cost with Pairiquium?
Pricing is per matched player allowance. The Hobby tier is free but currently waitlisted for new sign-ups. Base is £19.99 per month and Pro is £49.99 per month, with yearly billing at ten times the monthly price (two months free). Each plan includes a monthly allowance of matched players.
What counts against my monthly allowance?
Only players who are actually matched count. Time spent waiting in the queue, cancelled searches and dropped connections are never charged.
What team sizes and match types can I configure?
Each game mode has a match shape, which is the list of team sizes. For example 5v5, 3v3, four teams of two, an asymmetric 1-vs-3, a co-op team of 5, or a 10-player free-for-all. Game modes are set up from the dashboard.
Does Pairiquium support parties?
Yes. Parties can be enabled per game mode, letting friends queue together. You choose the largest party size and whether a party must stay on one team. Parties are off by default.
Is my API key safe in the Unity SDK?
The SDK never holds your Pairiquium API key. It calls a ticket endpoint that you run on your own backend, and that endpoint talks to Pairiquium with the key. The key never ships in a game build.
Is the Unity SDK open source?
Yes. The Unity SDK is released under the Apache 2.0 licence and ships as readable C# source on GitHub at github.com/Pairiquium/UnitySDK.