Skill-based matchmaking is good for Call of Duty, says Activision

For quite some time now, the issue of skill-based team matching (SBMM) in the Call of Duty gaming community has sparked intense discussions. Numerous influential gamers and avid enthusiasts have repeatedly voiced their dissatisfaction with this system.

Despite a recently published white paper by Activision challenging the viewpoint, it appears the debate surrounding SMBB may have reached its conclusion. Regrettably for those critical of the feature, the study concluded that between 80-90% of players find it beneficial. As such, it’s clear that SMBB will persist in their games for the foreseeable future.

CoD’s skill-based matchmaking is hated by a vocal minority

A number of well-known figures such as Timthetatman, CouRage, and NBA player De’Aaron Fox have voiced concerns about Call of Duty’s SMBB (Search and Destroy mode) over time. Their criticisms have garnered significant support from the community, with many thousands expressing their agreement through likes.

Critics argue that the skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) in this game spoils the multiplayer fun because it makes matches excessively competitive and challenging to triumph. On social media, many people reminisce about the good old days when achieving killstreaks required minimal effort.

Activision is studying the matchmaking process

Although there might be widespread approval for SBMM criticism on social platforms, it’s crucial to keep in mind that Call of Duty is among the most triumphant video game series in history. The numerous Twitter likes pale in comparison to the staggering 126 million active players recorded in January of 2024.

To find out what works best for their large community of gamers, Activision has released a set of research papers. In these documents, the company investigates the impact and significance of various factors during the matchmaking process. The latest paper, titled “The Impact of Skill in Matchmaking,” delves into the debated subject of Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM).

Skill-based matchmaking in Call of Duty is here to stay

For a span of one month, Activision conducted tests on the skill-based matchmaking feature (SBMM) in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. They tracked how the varying disparities in player skills within each lobby influenced the rate at which players left games and overall retention. Their results showed that when SBMM was active, “approximately 80-90% of players saw improved final match placements, stayed with the game longer, and quit matches less frequently.”

Furthermore, Activision found that not implementing Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) would create a self-reinforcing cycle of poor player retention. In this scenario, less skilled players might leave the game, making those slightly more skilled the new low-skilled group. As they encounter the challenges of playing without SBMM, even these players may choose to quit. This continuous cycle could lead to a community primarily consisting of highly skilled players, creating an uninviting environment for newcomers.

To add an extra layer of information, the recently published document verifies that Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) has been implemented in every Call of Duty game since 2007. This could explain why critics of SBMM might hold their views, as they might have become less skilled over time, contributing to a perceived increase in challenge. Perhaps future research will provide further insights into this topic.