For years, the Call of Duty community has been having the same argument over and over again, and it always comes back to the same four letters: SBMM. Skill-Based Matchmaking has been the most divisive part of the series’ multiplayer ecosystem for more than half a decade at this point, with some unhappy players constantly bemoaning how difficult casual lobbies have become, and other, equally unhappy players tapping the proverbial ‘get good’ sign above their door. Now, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is finally trying to shake things up — and even though it feels like a desperate move to win back player interest, I couldn’t be happier to see it happen.
Activision revealed in recent patch notes that the Black Ops 7 open beta would be introducing a new playlist called “Open Moshpit,” a mode where skill consideration is “drastically reduced” during matchmaking. In other words, this playlist will throw together players with a far wider range of skill levels than usual. It’s the exact kind of option players have been asking for since the start of the strict SBMM era, but don’t be fooled into thinking the forced behind the franchise have finally caved; given Activision’s former hardline stance on the matter, it seems rather obvious that the decision serves as a direct response to dipping engagement during the Beta period. Still, that’s what it takes to make the game more engaging, so be it.
The History of Skill-Based Matchmaking in Call of Duty
Black Ops 7’s Open Moshpit playlist is a significant development because, in the early days of Call of Duty, matchmaking prioritized connection quality. SBMM existed but was negligible outside ranked play, and casual lobbies were a blend of all skill levels, which was often as gratifying as it was unpredictable.
That all changed with Modern Warfare 2019, however, as players quickly noticed that casual public matches were getting tougher the better they played. Managing a win streak meant that every game thereafter felt like a sweatfest, and given the game’s positive reception, this new approach soon became standard across Warzone and beyond. By the time Modern Warfare 3 and Black Ops 6 rolled around, SBMM was baked into Call of Duty’s DNA.
Activision rarely comments on SBMM, but players have long speculated about more complex ‘engagement-based’ systems.
The Argument For SBMM in Black Ops 7
There are, of course, many people who enjoy this modern matchmaking system. Many pro or high-ranked players, some developers, and a sizable portion of casual players argue that it’s an essential element of the modern multiplayer experience. After all, nearly every major shooter today, like Valorant or Apex Legends uses some form of SBMM. Proponents of the system say Call of Duty should be no different. By matching players of similar skill, SBMM ensures that games are competitive and balanced. That’s a crucial factor for new players who might otherwise be stomped into quitting within their first few matches.
The more industry-minded players in this camp might also consider the matter of Call of Duty‘s player retention. Data suggests that players tend to play more when they feel like they’re making progress. SBMM helps make that happen for lesser-skilled, casual fans, and it prevents the most skilled players from dominating playlists in ways that could alienate those who don’t play as much.
The Argument Against SBMM in Black Ops 7
On the other hand, critics of the system argue that strict SBMM has stripped Call of Duty of much of its charm. It can also feel rather draining when every match plays like a ranked match, with no room to relax or experiment. It’s a dynamic that also reduces match variety, placing the days of matches where anything could happen firmly in the rearview.
There’s also frustration over how the system reacts to the great game the average player occasionally manages to pull out. Critics argue that by playing well, you’re inadvertently creating a taxing feedback loop for yourself, with upcoming lobbies likely to be replete with no-nonsense players running meta loadouts. Additionally, Activision’s lack of transparency around SBMM in Call of Duty only serves to deepen that frustration. While SBMM-defenders often argue that it’s unfun for good players to dominate their matches, longtime fans feeling that they’re being punished just for doing well is also harmful.
Black Ops 7's Matchmaking Experimentation is Better Late Than Never
The single most frustrating thing about this debate is that Call of Duty has always been capable of a middle ground, and the franchise just proved it with the playlist added in the Black Ops 7 Beta’s newest patch. The community has consistently proposed solutions that would keep SBMM for ranked modes while relaxing it in casual playlists, or at least giving players a choice in the matter. For these players, it’s always been difficult to comprehend how one of the most successful franchises in gaming history can’t manage matchmaking that satisfies both camps without compromising the overall ecosystem.
That isn’t to say that this new playlist is the end-all solution to this debate, however. Concerns exist about this new addition and its rollout. Adding the mode in a Beta patch isn’t exactly a guarantee from Activision (especially since future games like Call of Duty 2026 could always drop the concept of the Open playlists), and it’s not impossible to imagine that the casual players that SBMM is primarily catered toward will just queue into the regular playlist anyway. Still, with it being at the top of the playlist options, casuals are likely to pick it without realizing it, meaning the playlist could perform very well statistically.
Fans also worry that cutting the player base in half with two separate matchmaking modes could actually do more harm than good, proving to Activision that SBMM’s player retention is more valuable in the long run.
With the Mixed Response to Black Ops 7, Activision Might as Well Explore Options
Activision has long defended SBMM as essential to Call of Duty’s success, even if it frustrates the average player. Still, with Black Ops 7’s new playlist suggesting otherwise, it makes me wonder if that’s actually ever been the case. Then again, with the mixed reaction Black Ops 7 has drawn, Activision might as well start trying new stuff. For now, I’m just glad to see the conversation shift from “if” to “how.” If this is the desperate move it takes to make Black Ops 7 more fun, I’m all in.