Black Ops 7 to reduce skill-based matchmaking following beta feedback

One of the loudest complaints by Call of Duty players over the past many years has been its increasing reliance on skill-based matchmaking – causing multiplayer to feel less organic in the eyes of players, while also potentially impacting matchmaking times. Following a test period during the recent open beta, Treyarch have now confirmed that Black Ops 7 will launch with minimal SBMM as well as persistent lobbies.

Making the welcome announcement via Twitter, the team at Treyarch confirmed some pretty major changes coming with the launch of Black Ops 7, writing:

“At launch, Open Matchmaking with minimal skill consideration will be the default matchmaking for #BlackOps7 MP. Our team is committed to providing players with a more varied experience, and the Beta was a valuable opportunity to test this approach.”

As mentioned, reduced SBMM was being tested during the beta, and so it is encouraging to see it making its way to the final release.

Perhaps more surprising however is the confirmation of another classic matchmaking system returning – that being persistent lobbies – with Treyarch adding:

“We've heard the community discussion around lobby disbanding, and we're focused on keeping players together from match to match more often in #BlackOps7. Today, we're excited to announce we'll have persistent lobbies at launch, and will have more details closer to launch.”

For many years now, it’s felt as though Call of Duty was wilfully deaf to the cries of its most dedicated players. With Battlefield 6 finally giving the series some competition however, it appears as though COD is starting to listen.

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KitGuru says: Did you ever expect SBMM to be removed? What about the return of persistent lobbies? Is this enough to make you interested in Black Ops 7? Let us know down below.

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