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Modern Warfare 4 Beta Reveals Multiplayer Matchmaking Plans, Will Continue to Use Divisive New Matchmaking System
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's upcoming beta will use both the new matchmaking system introduced in Black Ops 7 Season 5 and the "open" matchmaking system launched with Black Ops 7 last year, developer Infinity Ward has confirmed. Matchmaking remains one of the most contentious issues in the Call of Duty community, as it heavily influences how balanced and enjoyable matches feel, and the studio is still weighing which approach to carry into the full game's October launch.
The open matchmaking system, introduced as a response to complaints about overly punishing skill-based matchmaking, produces more random and varied lobbies, but data shared by Call of Duty shows it also led to significantly worse outcomes: for 80% of Black Ops 7 players from launch to Season 4, open matchmaking resulted in 32.7% higher quit rates, 14.4% fewer kills per minute, 5.3% lower win rates, and 59.2% more "not fun" ratings compared with the newer standard system. Despite many fans finding the newer, Black Ops-inspired system less enjoyable, players have reportedly been quitting less under it, even as top players face tougher competition. No final decision has been made on which system Modern Warfare 4 will use at launch, and the beta is intended to help Infinity Ward gather further data, with the beta also set to include several requested quality-of-life fixes.
In short
- MW4 beta will test both open and new matchmaking systems.
- BO7 data shows open matchmaking caused higher quit rates, less fun.
- No final matchmaking decision yet for MW4's October launch.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The empirical data unambiguously supports the newer skill-based system, which outperforms the open alternative across all measured dimensions: dramatically lower quit rates, higher kill rates, improved win rates, and fewer players reporting matches as "not fun." The fact that players demonstrably remain more engaged and play longer under this system suggests it delivers genuine value; if players truly found it less enjoyable, one would expect higher quit rates rather than lower ones.
The case against
Skill-based matchmaking systems can trap players in relentlessly competitive environments, particularly affecting casual players and experienced players seeking relaxation, who experience few variations in match difficulty or respite from consistent challenge. The substantial community feedback expressing dissatisfaction with the newer system reflects genuine concerns that engagement metrics alone may not capture; a truly responsive design should accommodate different player preferences and allow for both casual and competitive experiences rather than optimising entirely for retention.
Explained simply
Call of Duty is a long-running series of military-themed video games, with online multiplayer matches forming a major part of its appeal. Infinity Ward is one of the studios that makes the games, and Modern Warfare 4 is due to launch in October.
Matchmaking decides which players are placed together in a match, shaping how balanced the contest feels. Skill-based systems try to group players by ability, while a more open system creates less predictable lobbies; players disagree over which makes matches more enjoyable.
The debate matters to both players and the studio because matchmaking can affect whether people stay in matches and how much they enjoy them. Infinity Ward is weighing player feedback and match data as it considers the approach for the full game.
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