Editing Matchmaking

<div class="align-center"><span class="mainheader">'''Matchmaking'''</span>
----

'''Matchmaking''' is a system in Tower Defense Simulator that matches up players between servers. Players will be matched up with other players who selected the same mode and squad size. They are also initially matched up based on their [[Level]] and age group, however, the system will not try to find players of similar [[Level]] forever. After a certain point, it will accept players of lower [[Level]] and higher [[Level]], creating large gaps of [[Level]] between players. In [[PVP]] ranked matches, pairing is based on ELO and age group.
</div>

==Usage==
[[File:PlaySurvival.png|150px|thumb]]
'''Matchmaking''' can be activated in two ways. The main method is using the ''Play'' button in the middle of the screen. A secondary method of matchmaking is using statues placed in the lobby, though they are only used for limited-time events.

'''Matchmaking''' is available across all game modes. When accessed this way, in most cases a screen with multiple options will appear. There are five sections in the Matchmaking menu. The first is Survival, which consists of all main game modes ([[Easy Mode|Easy]], [[Casual Mode|Casual]], [[Intermediate Mode|Intermediate]], [[Molten Mode|Molten]], [[Fallen Mode|Fallen]], and [[Frost Mode|Frost]]) as well as [[Hardcore Mode|Hardcore]] and [[Voidcore Mode|Voidcore]] modes. The second is Story, which includes all of the chapters and missions available in [[Story Mode]]. The third is [[PVP]], which includes Casual and Ranked Player vs. Player matches. The fourth is Arcade, which includes [[Challenge Trials]] and all special modes ([[Polluted Wasteland II]], [[Badlands II]], and [[Pizza Party]]). The fifth and final one is [[Sandbox Mode|Sandbox]], which contains the experimental Sandbox Mode.

There are also a few other screens. For [[Challenge Maps]], there is no option for it in the main '''Matchmaking''' menu. Instead, it can only be accessed through the [[Quests]] menu. For events that occurred up to the [[Ducky Revenge Event]], the old '''Matchmaking''' menu is used instead, where a small pop-up window will appear with multiple difficulty options if they exist before choosing the player count.

After getting through the mode selection, you will be asked to select a player count, ranging from solo to squads. Solo creates a singleplayer match, duo creates a two-player match, trio creates a three-player match and quad creates a four-player match. In [[Hardcore]] and [[Voidcore]] modes, you can only play with up to three players (trios) as quads is unavailable for those modes. In [[PVP]] mode, you can only play by yourself (1v1) or with one other player (2v2) against another team. In [[Sandbox Mode]] and during the [[Halloween 2025 Live Events]], two additional options would appear, with those being a squads option for five players and a mega option for six players. In both cases, the same icon for quads is used. However, the options for five and six players in [[Sandbox Mode]] are locked unless you own the [[Gamepasses|Sandbox Plus+ Gamepass]] and are in a party with other players. In [[PVP]] mode, the usual options are replaced with 1v1, which has the players be in teams consisting of one player only (two players total), and 2v2, where players are in two player teams (four players total).

Selecting the player count will then start a player search. If playing in solos or if the [[Party]] size is the same as selected player count, a match will be created instantly. Otherwise, '''Matchmaking''' will begin searching for players of a specific similar statistic:
*In majority of cases, it will look players of a similar [[Level]]. This applies to majority of the modes, with all exceptions being listed below. If unable to find players of similar [[Level]] quickly, players of significantly higher or lower [[Level]] will be accepted.
*Similar age groups are also considered to ensure that all players in the match are able to see each other's messages.
*Ranked [[PVP]] looks for players of similar ELO. If unable to find players of similar ELO quickly, players of significantly higher or lower ELO will be accepted.
*[[Sandbox Mode|Sandbox]] mode will instantly start the match, regardless if the selected player count actually matches the [[Party]] size. However, it will not wait indefinitely until it finds such players, it will instead pick players with lower [[Levels]]/ELO. Once all players are found, every single player's loadout, level, triumph count and loss count will be displayed, alongside their username and avatar.

<gallery>
Matchmaking5.png|Match size selection.
Matchmaking8.png|[[Party]] list.
Matchmaking2.png|[[Party]] menu.
Matchmaking3.png|[[Party]] invites.
Matchmaking9.png|[[Party]] settings.
Matchmaking6.png|[[Party]] invite pop up.
Matchmaking7.png|Match search.
Matchmaking4.png|Match found.
</gallery>

==Historical Matchmaking==
===Matchmaking Elevator===
'''Matchmaking Elevator''' refers to a '''Matchmaking''' which was never actually used in-game outside of public tests. It would move the player away from the main lobby into an elevator.

'''Matchmaking Elevator''' would put the player inside an elevator with three options, survival, [[Hardcore Mode|hardcore]] and event. After either one is chosen a player count would be chosen, which could be one player, two players, three players, four players or a [[MEGA Servers|MEGA Server]]. A search for players would then begin, where player avatars would start appearing inside the elevator.

It would be accessible through a "''Play''" button on the screen.
<gallery>
MatchmakingElevator1.png|UI.
MatchmakingElevator2.png|Mode type selection (public test).
MatchmakingElevator4.png|Match type selection (teasers)
MatchmakingElevator3.png|Match size selection (public test).
MatchmakingElevator5.png|Match size selection (teasers).
Endless Descent - Tower Defense Simulator|Elevator animation.
Matchmaking Menus - Tower Defense Simulator|Elevator UI.
Matchmaking Menus 2 - Tower Defense Simulator|Elevator UI.
Finding Players - Tower Defense Simulator|Searching for players.
Tower Defense Simulator OST - Matchmaking Elevator|Public test music.
Tower Defense Simulator OST - Unused Matchmaking Elevator Lobby|Unused music.
</gallery>

===Legacy Event Matchmaking===
'''Legacy Event Matchmaking''' refers to an early version of '''Matchmaking''' used by the [[Solar Eclipse Event]] and [[Duck Hunt Event]]. It was a far more primitive version of '''Matchmaking''', as it had no actual options for the player. The match size would always be the highest one available (quads), meaning that if the [[Party]] was not full, the game would fill out the rest of the slots with other players.

In [[v1.4.0]], roughly five months after the [[Duck Hunt Event]] had concluded, the game would receive proper '''Matchmaking''' statues in the lobby which would use a slightly different UI and give the player the option to pick the match size. Because of this change, '''Legacy Event Matchmaking''' did not end up being used for the [[Violent Night Event]].
<gallery>
LegacyEventMM4.png|[[Party]] pop up.
Matchmaking1.png|[[Party]] menu with no [[Party]].
LegacyEventMM2.png|[[Party]] invites.
LegacyEventMM3.png|[[Party]] menu.
LegacyEventMM1.png|Searching for players.
</gallery>

==Gallery==
{{Gallery|Open = Yes|
{{GalleryHeader|Mode Icons}}
<gallery>
V1.55.0Render.png|Current [[Easy Mode|Easy]] Icon
MatchmakingBruteRender.png|Formal [[Easy Mode|Easy]] Icon
GraveDiggerMatchmakingRender.png|Current [[Casual Mode|Casual]] Icon
MatchmakingGraveDiggerRender.png|Former [[Casual Mode|Casual]] Icon, Former [[Easy Mode|Easy]] Icon
MatchmakingPatientZeroRender.png|Former [[Casual Mode|Casual]] Icon, Former [[Intermediate Mode|Intermediate]] Icon
IntermediateThumbnailClean.png|Current [[Intermediate Mode|Intermediate]] Icon
PatientZeroIntermediateMatchmakingRender.png|Former [[Intermediate Mode|Intermediate]] Icon
V1.60Render.png|Current [[Molten Mode|Molten]] Icon
MoltenWardlordMatchmakingRender.png|Former [[Molten Mode|Molten]] Icon
MatchmakingMoltenBossRender.png|Former [[Molten Mode|Molten]] Icon
FallenFoesThumbnailClean.png|Current [[Fallen Mode|Fallen]] Icon
MatchmakingFallenKingRender.png|Former [[Fallen Mode|Fallen]] Icon
V1.46.0Render.png|Current [[Frost Mode|Frost]] Icon
FrostModeMatchmaking.png|Former [[Frost Mode|Frost]] Icon
VoidReaverMatchmakingRender.png|Current [[Hardcore Mode|Hardcore]] Icon
VoidReaverRender.png|Former [[Hardcore Mode|Hardcore]] Icon
AcceleratorMatchmaking2026Render.png|Former [[Hardcore Mode|Hardcore]] Icon
MatchmakingAcceleratorRender.png|Former [[Hardcore Mode|Hardcore]] Icon
VoidCasterMatchmakingRender.png|Current [[Voidcore Mode|Voidcore]] Icon
VoidCasterRender.png|Former [[Voidcore Mode|Voidcore]] Icon
WardenMatchmaking2026Render.png|Current Special Icon
MatchmakingWardenRender.png|Former Special Icon
MinigunnerMatchmaking2026Render.png|Current Survival Icon
MatchmakingMinigunnerRender.png|Former Survival Icon
SaboteurMatchmaking2026Render.png|Current [[PVP]] Icon
MatchmakingPVPRender.png|Former [[PVP]] Icon
DemomanMatchmaking2026Render.png|Current Casual [[PVP]] Icon
MatchmakingDemomanRender.png|Former Casual [[PVP]] Icon
BrawlerMatchmaking2026Render.png|Current Ranked [[PVP]] Icon
MatchmakingBrawlerRender.png|Former Ranked [[PVP]] Icon
TrapperMatchmaking2026Render.png|Current [[Sandbox Mode|Sandbox]] Icon
TrapperStoreRender.png|Former [[Sandbox Mode|Sandbox]] Icon
NullCommanderEasyMatchmakingRender.png|[[Null & Void Event]] Night 1 Easy Icon
NullCommanderHardMatchmakingRender.png|[[Null & Void Event]] Night 1 Hard Icon
NullGuardianEasyMatchmakingRender.png|[[Null & Void Event]] Night 2 Easy Icon
NullGuardianHardMatchmakingRender.png|[[Null & Void Event]] Night 2 Hard Icon
RiftWalkerEasyRender.png|[[Null & Void Event]] Night 3 Easy Icon
RiftWalkerHardRender.png|[[Null & Void Event]] Night 3 Hard Icon
NarratorRender.png|[[The Final Act Event]] Icon
AdidasMission1EasyRender.png|[[Backyard Legends Event]] Mission 1 Easy Icon
AdidasMission1HardRender.png|[[Backyard Legends Event]] Mission 1 Hard Icon
AdidasMission2EasyRender.png|[[Backyard Legends Event]] Mission 2 Easy Icon
AdidasMission2HardRender.png|[[Backyard Legends Event]] Mission 2 Hard Icon
AdidasMission3EasyRender.png|[[Backyard Legends Event]] Mission 3 Easy Icon
AdidasMission3HardRender.png|[[Backyard Legends Event]] Mission 3 Hard Icon
</gallery>

{{GalleryHeader|Squad Size Icons}}
<gallery>
MatchmakingSoloIcon.png|Solo Icon
MatchmakingDuoIcon.png|Duo Icon
MatchmakingTrioIcon.png|Trio Icon
MatchmakingQuadIcon.png|Quad Icon
PvP1v1MatchmakingSoloIcon.png|1v1 Icon (PvP)
PvP2v2MatchmakingDuoIcon.png|2v2 Icon (PvP)
PvPRanked1v1MatchmakingTrioIcon.png|Ranked 1v1 Icon (PvP)
PvPRanked2v2MatchmakingQuadIcon.png|Ranked 2v2 Icon (PvP)
SandboxMatchmakingSoloIcon.png|Solo Icon (Sandbox)
SandboxMatchmakingDuoIcon.png|Duo Icon (Sandbox)
SandboxMatchmakingTrioIcon.png|Trio Icon (Sandbox)
SandboxMatchmakingQuadIcon.png|Quad Icon (Sandbox)
SandboxMatchmakingSquadsIcon.png|Squads Icon (Sandbox)
SandboxMatchmakingMegaIcon.png|Mega Icon (Sandbox)
ElevatorMatchmakingSolo.png|Solo Icon (Elevator Matchmaking)
ElevatorMatchmakingDuo.png|Duo Icon (Elevator Matchmaking)
ElevatorMatchmakingTrio.png|Trio Icon (Elevator Matchmaking)
ElevatorMatchmakingQuad.png|Quad Icon (Elevator Matchmaking)
ElevatorMatchmakingQuadClean.png|Quad Icon (Elevator Matchmaking, Backgroundless Version)
ElevatorMatchmakingParty.png|Party Icon (Elevator Matchmaking)
</gallery>

{{GalleryHeader|Backgrounds}}
<gallery>
SurvivalMatchmakingBackground.png|Survival Background
HardcoreMatchmakingBackground.png|Hardcore Background
SpecialMatchmakingBackground.png|Special Background
PvPMatchmakingBackgroundAug26.png|PvP Background
PvPRankedMatchmakingBackground.png|Ranked PvP Background
PVPMatchmakingBackground.png|[[PVP]] Background
SandboxMatchmakingBackground.png|[[Sandbox Mode|Sandbox]] Background
EasyMatchmakingBackground.png|[[Easy Mode|Easy]] Background
CasualMatchmakingBackground.png|[[Casual Mode|Casual]] Background
Forest Camp Remake.png|[[Intermediate Mode|Intermediate]] Background
MoltenMatchmakingBackground.png|[[Molten Mode|Molten]] Background
FallenMatchmakingBackground.png|[[Fallen Mode|Fallen]] Background
WinterEvent2025PromoImage.png|[[Frost Mode|Frost]] Background
GenericPlayerMatchmakingBackground.png|Generic Player Count Background
GenericPVPMatchmakingBackground.png|Generic [[PVP]] Background
TheFinalActPI4.png|[[The Final Act Event]] Easy Background
TheFinalActPromoImage.png|[[The Final Act Event]] Hard Background
AdidasMission1Background.png|[[Backyard Legends Event]] Mission 1 Background
AdidasMission2Background.png|[[Backyard Legends Event]] Mission 2 Background
AdidasMission3Background.png|[[Backyard Legends Event]] Mission 3 Background
</gallery>
}}

==Trivia==
*Although it was implied in [[v1.71.0]] that all statues in the lobby were removed except for those of [[PVP]], they were actually moved underneath the map as you can briefly catch them if you fall out of the [[Main Lobby]].



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[[Category:Features]]