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Solo play frustration: why team experience matters

Players Express Frustration Over Solo Experience | Tough Matchmaking Leaves Gamers Disheartened

By

Carlos Mendez

Jun 13, 2025, 08:50 PM

Edited By

Leo Zhang

2 minutes of duration

A gamer looks frustrated while playing solo, with a headset on and a screen showing a battle royale game, illustrating issues with uncooperative teammates.

A rising chorus of players is speaking out against solo play experiences in popular multiplayer games. As of mid-2025, many gamers report facing frustrating matchmaking issues, often feeling outmatched and unsupported in battle royale (BR) and arena modes.

Matchmaking: A Growing Concern

Gamers have taken to various forums, voicing their complaints about being teamed up with less skilled players while facing organized squads. Key sentiments from the community include:

  • Disparate Skill Levels: "Iโ€™m paired up with the worst teammates every single game while the enemy team is either partied up or just really good," one player lamented.

  • Solo vs Group Play: In stark contrast, users noted that gameplay improves significantly when teaming up with friends. "When I play with my friend, we win the majority of games. Even when we lose, itโ€™s more fun."

Community Feedback: Divided Opinions

The reactions from fellow players showcase both frustration and occasional support for the game mechanics:

  • A common suggestion is to implement duo and trio modes for BR. "BR needs a Duos or trios mode," emphasized a user, pointing to the difficulties faced in current solo queues.

  • Multiple users mentioned that recent updates might have impacted matchmaking, with one stating, "It seems like over time the matchmaking has gotten worse."

Not all Bad: A Silver Lining?

Interestingly, some players expressed their ability to achieve victories despite the challenges. One player claimed, "I canโ€™t stand the BR anymore either, but I still win more than I lose, typically at the top of the scoreboard."

"Are your crossplay settings on or off?" another player suggested, attributing gameplay improvements to crossplay features.

Key Takeaways

  • โš”๏ธ Solo experience frustrates gamers, leading to calls for adjusted matchmaking and game modes.

  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ "Itโ€™s literally unplayable by definition" โ€“ top comment reflecting on difficulties faced.

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Players thrive in pairs: Winning with friends contrasts sharply with solo struggles.

The Future of Solo Play

As players rally for change, will developers heed the calls for improved matchmaking options? Only time will tell if the landscape shifts to better accommodate solo players.

Shifting Sands Ahead

As the frustration among solo players becomes more pronounced, thereโ€™s a strong chance that developers will roll out significant changes to the matchmaking system in response. With many players urging for the introduction of duo and trio modes, experts estimate around a 60% likelihood that weโ€™ll see these options implemented within the next update cycle. The community's demand is crystal clear, and with rising competition in the gaming market, developers may pivot quickly to enhance player satisfaction and retention. Additionally, adapting matchmaking algorithms to better account for skill disparities could further level the playing field, addressing the ongoing complaints that solo modes are virtually unplayable.

From Histories of the Underdog

This situation mirrors the rise of team sports in the early 20th century when solo competitors often found it tough against well-organized teams. Back then, as it became clear that collaboration led to increased success, leagues began formalizing team structures, much like the gaming community now seeks to shift matchmaking dynamics. Just as athletes banded together to enhance their chances of victory, modern gamers are rallying for improved structures that elevate their gameplay beyond solo efforts. The echo of this shift reminds us that in both sport and play, camaraderie can often be the catalyst for change.