Call of Duty devs tackle SBMM debate - minds unmoved

Call of Duty developers have recently shared insights into the game’s skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) system. In a comprehensive blog post, the team behind the popular shooter explained the eight factors considered in matchmaking. Connection quality and time to match are top priorities, but player skill – derived from performance metrics like kills, deaths, wins, and losses – is continuously updated and plays a significant role in the process. Despite concerns from the hardcore player base about being placed in "sweaty" lobbies, the developers stated that SBMM aims to create balanced matches and ensure a fair distribution of wins and losses across all skill levels. Furthermore, the matchmaking system also accounts for player platform, voice chat preferences, input devices, and recent maps or modes played. There are no current plans for adjustments, but developers say they are exploring ways to address community feedback about the variety of matchmaking experiences.

The eight factors are: connection quality, time to match, player skill, player platform, voice chat preference, input device, recent maps/modes played, and playlist diversity.

Call of Duty has been a staple in the first-person shooter genre since its first installment in 2003. Skill-based matchmaking became a significant conversation amongst players following its introduction in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare back in 2007, leading to years of debate and speculation about its impact on gameplay and player experience. The critically acclaimed series has consistently implemented SBMM as a way to maintain competitive matchmaking, but this has often been met with mixed reactions from its community, many of whom have urged for a more casual or varied approach to how opponents are selected in games.