Abstract: A video game matchmaking and match authentication system is configured to interact with a third party game software and game server to supplement or replace that third party's matchmaking process. The system builds a player profile and unique player signature for each player based upon their performance within a game, and based upon the raw player inputs received from a game controller. The player signature indicates the player's skill within a particular game or game genre, and also provides a unique representation of the player's expected performance, skill, and raw inputs for future matches within that game or game genre. Matchmaking is player driven to provide a desired match experience, and player skill matching occurs based on the player signatures. Monitoring and authentication occurs during the match and is based on analysis of raw inputs and match events to identify irregularities that suggest intentional manipulation.