Treyarch has officially announced that skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) will not be the standard setting for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. With the increasing pressure from Battlefield 6, scrutiny surrounding Call of Duty has reached unprecedented levels as we approach the launch of Black Ops 7. Activision is taking steps to address concerns that former Blizzard CEO Mike Ybarra believes may result in a “boot stomp” from EA’s upcoming shooter. This includes offering a free trial of Black Ops 6 alongside Battlefield’s release. This competitive climate has also led Treyarch to respond faster, finally responding to player demands by removing SBMM during the beta phase of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 through the introduction of a new playlist.
The community reacted positively to this mode, with professional players stating, “We need Battlefield 6 to come out every year,” and renowned streamer Shroud, known for his criticisms of the franchise, commenting, “It’s actually kind of enjoyable.” However, when SBMM was reinstated for feedback purposes, the backlash returned, with players expressing their discontent.
Players Excited for SBMM-Free Play
The beta for Black Ops 7 showcased a mode free from SBMM, generating excitement among the player base, with comments like, “We need Battlefield 6 to come out every year.”
Now Returning SBMM for Feedback
Additionally, the beta witnessed the reimplementation of SBMM in a separate playlist to gather more substantial player feedback, which was met with widespread dissatisfaction.
EA has indicated that Battlefield 6 will also feature some form of skill-based matchmaking, a decision not favored by all players, with remarks such as, “Just let me hang with the boys.”
Open Matchmaking as the Default Setting
Confirmation of Open Matchmaking has arrived. At the launch, the matchmaking system with minimal skill evaluation will be the default for Black Ops 7 multiplayer. The developers expressed their dedication to delivering a more varied experience to players, emphasizing the value of beta testing this new approach.
Despite having ignored community feedback for years, Treyarch has made significant strides. In a recent Twitter announcement, the studio stated, “At launch, Open Matchmaking with minimal skill consideration will be the default matchmaking for Black Ops 7,” and added, “Our team is committed to providing players with a more varied experience, and the Beta was a valuable opportunity to test this approach.”
Reactions to this announcement have been overwhelmingly positive, resonating with players, streamers, and the wider community. Some users even expressed their appreciation for Battlefield 6, with one saying, “Who would’ve thought that Battlefield 6 might be the best thing that’s ever happened to CoD?”
In addition to these matchmaking changes, the developers are listening to community feedback on various aspects, introducing updates like “ensuring specific automatic doors remain open from the beginning of the match.”