Introduction

The Call of Duty franchise has long been a giant in the first-person shooter genre, attracting both casual and competitive players. However, one issue has consistently divided the community: Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM).

SBMM is a system that pairs players with others of similar skill level, theoretically creating balanced matches. While it sounds beneficial, many argue that it has ruined the casual fun that made Call of Duty enjoyable in the first place. But is SBMM truly a problem, or are players just resistant to change?

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the history, impact, and controversies surrounding SBMM in Call of Duty, examining whether it enhances fair competition or sucks the fun out of the game.

1. The Origins of SBMM in Call of Duty

When and Why Was SBMM Introduced?

SBMM has existed in some form in Call of Duty since the early 2010s, but it became significantly more noticeable with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019).

• Earlier CoD titles had looser matchmaking, where players were often grouped based on connection rather than skill.
• As eSports and streaming culture grew, developers sought to prevent new players from being dominated by experienced ones.
• SBMM was intended to help casual players, keeping them engaged and reducing frustration.

How Does SBMM Work?

While Activision hasn’t fully revealed the details of its SBMM system, the community has gathered insights through testing.

• The system analyzes player performance based on K/D ratio, score per minute, and win rate.
• Players are then matched against others with similar stats, resulting in more evenly skilled lobbies.
• Connection quality is considered, but skill takes priority—leading to ping issues in some regions.

2. The Casual Player Experience: Has SBMM Ruined the Fun?

A Struggle for Casual Gamers

• Many players fondly remember past CoD games where matches were more random and chaotic.
• With SBMM, casual gamers often find themselves playing against highly skilled opponents if they have one good match.

No More Relaxed Games

• In older CoD titles, players could sometimes enter lobbies with weaker opponents, allowing for casual, enjoyable gameplay.
• Now, every match feels like a sweaty competition, even for those just looking to unwind.

3. The "Sweaty Lobby" Problem for Skilled Players

Why Do High-Skill Players Struggle More?

• Top-tier players never get an easy match due to SBMM continuously placing them against others of similar skill.
• This leads to back-to-back intense matches, with no chance to relax.

The Pressure to Maintain Performance

• If you perform too well, you might get matched into even tougher lobbies, leading to an endless cycle of tryharding.
• Some players intentionally tank their stats (reverse boosting) to escape high-skill lobbies.

4. SBMM vs. Connection-Based Matchmaking: What’s Better?

The Connection-Based System of the Past

• Older Call of Duty games prioritized connection over skill, leading to better ping and smoother gameplay.
• Players of all skill levels were mixed together, making matches feel more unpredictable.

The Trade-Off with SBMM

• While SBMM creates fairer matchups, it sacrifices server quality by prioritizing skill over connection.
• Many players experience laggy matches due to being placed in skill-based lobbies far from their region.

5. The Impact of SBMM on Call of Duty Warzone

Why SBMM Feels Worse in Battle Royale

• In Warzone, being placed in high-skill lobbies means facing elite-level players in every match.
• The unpredictability of Battle Royale makes SBMM even more frustrating—random encounters become unfairly difficult.

Casual Players Feel Outmatched

• Warzone used to be fun for casual squads, but now, even these players face overly competitive opponents.
• Many complain that SBMM makes them constantly fight against meta-abusing, high-level players.

6. How SBMM Affects Streamers and Content Creators

Difficulties in Creating Entertaining Content

• Popular streamers often struggle to get casual lobbies, making high-kill games harder to achieve.
• Many YouTubers resort to using alt accounts or VPNs to get easier matches.

Reverse Boosting and Exploits

• Some content creators intentionally lower their stats to manipulate SBMM.
• While this allows for entertaining gameplay, it also exposes flaws in the matchmaking system.

7. The Competitive vs. Casual Divide in SBMM

Should Casual Play Be Competitive?

• Ranked modes exist for competitive players—so why is SBMM applied to casual lobbies?
• Many argue that public matches should be random, while competitive play should have stricter matchmaking.

Why Developers Defend SBMM

• Activision claims SBMM helps retain new players, preventing them from quitting after getting destroyed.
• But does this come at the cost of frustrating longtime players?

8. How Other FPS Games Handle SBMM

Comparing CoD to Other Games

• Apex Legends and Fortnite use SBMM for casual modes, but they also have clear ranked systems.
• Halo Infinite has been praised for its better balance between casual and ranked matchmaking.

Why CoD’s SBMM Feels Worse

• Unlike other games, Call of Duty doesn’t provide transparency on how SBMM works.
• Some claim that skill-based matchmaking gets stricter with every new CoD release.

9. Possible Solutions: How SBMM Could Be Improved

1. Introduce a Visible Ranked Mode

• Instead of enforcing SBMM in public lobbies, Activision could implement a proper ranked playlist.

2. Adjust SBMM Based on Playtime

• If a player just wants to casually play a few rounds, they shouldn’t be forced into a sweaty lobby.

3. Prioritize Connection Over Skill

• Improving server quality and matchmaking speed would make SBMM more tolerable.

10. Will Activision Ever Remove SBMM?

Why SBMM Isn’t Going Anywhere

• SBMM increases player retention for new users, making it unlikely that Activision will remove it.
• As long as CoD focuses on appealing to the widest audience, SBMM will remain in place.

The Future of Call of Duty Matchmaking

• The community continues to push for more balanced matchmaking.
• If developers listen, we might see a refined version of SBMM that caters to both casual and competitive players.

Conclusion

Skill-Based Matchmaking has drastically changed the Call of Duty experience. While it helps newer players, it has also led to a frustrating, hyper-competitive environment for veterans.

Many players feel that SBMM removes the unpredictability and fun that made older CoD titles great. While Activision is unlikely to remove it, adjustments—like prioritizing connection and adding a true ranked mode—could make the system more balanced.

The future of Call of Duty will depend on whether developers find a way to satisfy both casual and skilled players without sacrificing what makes the game enjoyable.