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Call of Duty’s SBMM debate unfortunately rages on in MW4, and I don’t know what to think or feel anymore
Skill-based matchmaking in Call of Duty remains a contentious topic, with Activision confirming that Modern Warfare 4 will continue refining the experimental matchmaking approach it trialled in Black Ops 7. The debate was reignited after PS5 ports of Black Ops 1 and 2 last month led players to suggest older titles had fairer matchmaking, prompting Activision to clarify that skill has always factored into CoD matchmaking, including in those earlier games. The company's willingness to publicly discuss the issue marks a shift from its historically limited communication on the subject.
Activision revealed that Black Ops 7's "Open" matchmaking playlist, which weighted skill less heavily, led to worse outcomes for most players, including a 32.7% higher quit rate and 59.2% more "Not Fun" ratings compared with standard matchmaking. Since introducing a new experimental system in season five, the company says quit rates have fallen across all skill groups, dropping 41% for more than half of players, alongside improved search times and average ping, even as top players face tougher competition. Modern Warfare 4's beta this weekend will test both the new system and the Open system to gather further data ahead of launch.
In short
- SBMM debate continues as Modern Warfare 4 iterates on Black Ops 7's system
- Activision data shows "Open" matchmaking increased quit rates and lowered satisfaction
- New experimental system cuts quit rates; both systems trialled in MW4's beta
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Skill-based matchmaking benefits the vast majority of players by ensuring they face appropriately matched opponents, demonstrably improving engagement and enjoyment. Activision's data shows the Open playlist led to significantly higher quit rates and more negative ratings, whilst the refined system reduces abandonment across all skill groups, improves search times and connection quality, and keeps players engaged with appropriately calibrated challenges. A matchmaking system should prioritise the experience of the broader player base, particularly casual and newer players who would be repeatedly overwhelmed without SBMM.
The case against
Skill-based matchmaking prioritises engagement metrics over the varied and rewarding gameplay that skilled players seek, eliminating the natural satisfaction of progression through facing increasingly difficult opponents. Top-tier players face relentlessly punishing competition that makes casual play impossible, whilst the system removes the dynamic variety where skill diversity created genuine moments of both dominance and challenge. By optimising for average player retention rather than match quality, SBMM transforms the competitive experience into perpetual intensity, sacrificing depth of gameplay and the intrinsic reward of improvement for engagement farming.
Explained simply
Call of Duty is a long-running series of online shooter games, including the Black Ops and Modern Warfare sub-series. In its multiplayer matches, the game pairs players through matchmaking, which can take account of factors such as skill as well as connection quality.
Players disagree over how much matchmaking should group people by ability: closer matches may be more balanced, while looser matching can bring a wider range of opponents. Activision, the series’ publisher, has said skill has influenced matchmaking in earlier games too, though it has historically shared little detail about how the system works.
Call of Duty Entertainment Gaming