ActivisionBlack Ops 7 streamers are convinced that skill-based matchmaking is putting them into sweatier lobbies, despite Treyarch assuring them that the feature is still turned down.
SBMM has been a hot topic in Call of Duty for years at this point, and during the Black Ops 7 beta the devs took action by introducing Open Matchmaking. This carried over to the full game, with skill not being considered as much when finding matches, creating lobbies with a wider range of abilities.
After some debate on whether or not it had been cranked back up, Treyarch doubled down in an X post on November 16, where they confirmed that their approach hasn’t changed.
All of our Open Playlists use Open Matchmaking and Persistent Lobbies and we remain committed to that approach,” they explained. “Quick Play uses the same Open Matchmaking, where skill is minimally
considered.”
However, since this post, streamers are still adamant that they’re being placed into tougher matches, and have taken to social media to voice their concerns.
BO7 streamers are complaining about SBMM
” SBMM is hitting HARD today,” posted former CoD pro Colt “Havok” McLendon.
“SBMM is cranked,” agreed Swagg, who later compared his matches to “leveling up against Shotzy and Scump.”
“‘MINIMAL SBMM’ MY JOHNSON,” added JoeWo. “I’m not playing the same game as some people.”
Replying to a post from ModernWarzone, TheTacticalBrit also chimed in, arguing that SBMM must have been adjusted from the beta:
“SBMM does exist in BO7 and it isn’t the same as the beta. They’ve almost certainly moved the goal posts on either what minimally considered means or who is considered protected in the protected brackets
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Although Treyarch have confirmed that the Open Matchmaking is still in place across most modes, including Quick Play, it isn’t clear if it has been tweaked in any way. But they have mentioned that “the combination of Quick Play and Persistent Lobbies is new and presents unique interactions,” which they will be keeping an eye on throughout the year.