Summary
- Many fans are frustrated with skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) in Call of Duty games as it prevents them from consistently having fun does not allow them to face opponents of varying skill levels.
- SBMM also makes it difficult for players of different skill levels to play together in a group, as the matchmaking system prioritizes creating balanced matches.
- The Call of Duty community is calling for changes to SBMM, suggesting that it should be limited to competitive modes or removed from public matches, in order to allow for more memorable gameplay experiences.
For the last few years, there have been a few topics of conversation in the Call of Duty franchise that have come up time and time again. One is about Call of Duty: Warzone and its impact on the franchise, with many fans arguing that Activision only cares about its free-to-play moneymaker and that the premium games have suffered because Warzone takes priority. Another topic is about yearly releases, with several fans hoping Call of Duty will finally move away from them, while yet another talking point is round-based Zombies and whether the mode should bother experimenting with other types of content. However, skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) continues to spark the most heated discussion of all, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is just the latest example of that.
Though developers have argued that even the most beloved Call of Duty games had SBMM to some extent, it is impossible to deny that the impact of the feature feels more noticeable in modern games. Many fans hate the idea of the engagement-based approach, which sees them constantly switching between slightly above average games to slightly below average games to keep them hooked. Another common argument is that players simply do not have fun when the game does all it can to keep them as close to average as possible, as it feels like skilled gamers are punished for doing well since they will always be stuck facing equally skilled players. However, overly balanced matches are not the biggest issue with SBMM, as it also makes playing with friends less enjoyable.
More Than Any Other Entry, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Needs This Feature
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 gives fans of multiplayer and Zombies a lot to grind for, and one addition would make it easier for completionists.
Call of Duty’s Skill-Based Matchmaking is Painful For Groups With Different Skill Levels
How SBMM Punishes Those Who Party Up in Call of Duty
Skill-based matchmaking critics will often call out the system because it makes the games less fun, stopping many from performing to the degree they normally would and preventing multiple good matches in a row. The days of lopsided matches in Call of Duty are over, with K/Ds that are closer to 1.0 being far more likely to appear than those that are 2.0 are higher. While this is a valid complaint, it only brings attention to part of the skill-based matchmaking problem, as it is also harder to party up with such harsh skill-based matchmaking in place.
Not only do solo players seeking a casual Call of Duty experience where they will dominate a lobby or get outplayed themselves have nowhere to look, but they will also only have average matches if they are on the same skill level as their Call of Duty teammates. For example, if a player tries to enjoy a match of Call of Duty with their partner who does not play nearly as much, said partner will likely struggle to the point of having no fun with the game. The same can be said for a group of friends who used to play together in high school; while one or two members of the group may still play regularly and have the time to put in to mastering the game and overcoming SBMM, another player may not have the time to play as often. That person with less time on their hands could have no fun at all, as they will be stuck facing foes that are on the level of the other friends in their group.
This presents a frustrating situation where Call of Duty players are punished if they try to group up with someone less or more skilled than them. Despite Call of Duty providing XP boosts to players who party up, the less-skilled players in that party may be better off just playing on their own. At least this way, though they will be stuck having average matches because of SBMM, they will at least have a fighting chance - something they would lack if they played in a group where a high-skill player was present. As annoying as sweaty matches where nobody is allowed to excel can be, gamers essentially being discouraged from playing with their friends or loved ones if those players are worse at the game is devastating. If players cannot have as much fun when grouped up, despite that being the ideal way to enjoy a multiplayer game, something has to change.
Call of Duty used to be the series that embraced the idea of “Christmas Noobs” in its message of the day, with the developers hyping up the influx of unskilled newcomers who would be getting the game as a gift. As such, it is no surprise that longtime fans detest the new approach that wants every match to be extremely fair.
The Solution to Call of Duty’s SBMM Woes is Still Obvious
While Activision and Call of Duty’s developers have refused to budge on skill-based matchmaking, as the publisher and studios do not want casual players to quit the game if they have a bad experience, CoD’s dedicated player base is continuing to lash out against the idea. Until tweaks are made, there will always be a degree of negativity around each new Call of Duty game until tweaks are made to skill-based matchmaking, with even well-received multiplayer modes like Modern Warfare 3 being held back by the strict SBMM. As always, the proposed solution is to limit the strict SBMM to competitive modes like League Play, having no SBMM in public matches, or at least a very limited version like in Call of Duty’s golden era. If no chnages come, not only will memorable matches remain far too rare, but groups composed of players at different skill levels will struggle.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 58 /100 Critics Rec: 14%
- Released
- November 10, 2023
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Sledgehammer Games
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Engine
- iw 9.0
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
WHERE TO PLAY
The war has changed. Call of Duty returns with an all-new campaign, modernized versions of classic Multiplayer maps and an open-world PvE Zombies experience. The campaign, a direct sequel to the record-breaking Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, sees Captain Price and Task Force 141 face off against ultranationalist war criminal Vladimir Makarov as he extends his grasp across the world. In Multiplayer, the 16 maps that launched with Modern Warfare 2 in 2009 return with upgraded graphics, new modes and innovative gameplay features. In Modern Warfare Zombies, team up with other squads for the first time ever as you work together to survive in the largest Zombies map yet
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
