Call of Duty Answers If SBMM Will Be Optional Anytime Soon

Call of Duty developers finally gave an answer to whether skill-based matchmaking will be optional in the future, and we have the details here!
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Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 Mw3 Operative Walking Through Hall Of Weapons
Image: Activision

In a recent blog post delving into Call of Duty’s matchmaking system, developers definitively if skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) will become optional. This decision comes despite ongoing community debate about the merits of SBMM, with some players advocating for a return to purely connection-based matchmaking.

According to a recent Call of Duty Blog post, developers acknowledged the community’s concerns but emphasized their belief that SBMM ultimately benefits the overall player experience. They cited data showing that removing SBMM led to increased player drop-off, particularly among less skilled players facing constant frustration. SBMM, they argue, helps create more balanced matches and prevents blowouts, making the game more enjoyable for players of all skill levels.

The blog post outlined the various factors considered in Call of Duty’s matchmaking process, with connection quality remaining the top priority. SBMM is then factored in alongside other preferences like playlist choice, recent map/mode history, and platform to create lobbies that are both competitive and fair. So, it does not look like we’ll receive a more casual mode where you can just relax instead of being hyper-competitive.

The developers acknowledged that SBMM can sometimes lead to longer wait times, particularly for highly skilled players who may be placed in smaller matchmaking pools. However, they believe the trade-off of more balanced matches outweighs the potential downside of slightly longer queues.

“Our data suggests that splitting the player base with an opt-in / opt-out matchmaking system will have negative consequences on the overall player pool. That means, potentially, longer wait times based on the type of matchmaking selected (plus add into that playlist, map and mode history, platform, and more) and matches with poor connections.”

Call of Duty Blog

In addition to addressing other matchmaking concerns, the blog post confirmed that factors like playtime, in-game purchases, and content creator status don’t matter. In addition, bots won’t be used in general multiplayer matchmaking, and the developers will let the community know if that changes. It doesn’t completely rule out the possibility of an optional SBMM system in the future, but it makes clear that it’s not a priority for the developers right now.

Jorge A. Aguilar

Jorge A. Aguilar

Jorge A. Aguilar, also known as Aggy, is the current Assigning Editor.

He started his career as an esports, influencer, and streaming writer for Sportskeeda. He then moved to GFinity Esports to cover streaming, games, guides, and news before moving to the Social team where he ended his time as the Lead of Social Content.

He also worked a writer and editor for both Pro Game Guides and Dot Esports, and as a writer for PC Invasion, Attack of the Fanboy, and Android Police. Aggy is the former Managing Editor and Operations Overseer of N4G Unlocked and a former Gaming editor for WePC.

Throughout his time in the industry, he's trained over 100 writers, written thousands of articles on multiple sites, written more reviews than he cares to count, and edited tens of thousands of articles. He has also written some games published by Tales, some books, and a comic sold to Telus International.

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