The debate surrounding skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) in Call of Duty continues to resonate within the community, especially during the current Black Ops 6 Season 2. While many players voice frustrations, the system's creator explains why it's likely here to stay.
SBMM groups players based on skill and statistics, aiming to create balanced matches. The intention is twofold: protect newer players from overwhelming competition and offer experienced players engaging matches. However, critics argue that SBMM prioritizes newcomers at the expense of connection quality and punishes skilled players by consistently placing them in high-difficulty lobbies.
Charlie Olsen, former Raven Software developer and the architect of Call of Duty's MMR (Matchmaking Rating) system, recently explained the necessity of SBMM for the franchise's longevity. In an interview with Insider Gaming, Olsen argued that SBMM and MMR are crucial for player retention and a healthy long-term player base. He highlighted that consistently being the weakest link in a team is detrimental to the experience, and skilled players grow tired of carrying less experienced teammates.
While acknowledging the validity of community complaints, Olsen suggests improvements to SBMM rather than its removal. He believes the current system lacks transparency and fails to provide adequate feedback on skill progression. The constant challenge of facing similarly skilled opponents can diminish the sense of accomplishment and mastery.
Olsen proposed several enhancements, including displaying the average skill level of opponents in lobbies and offering XP multipliers for competing against stronger players. He also advocated for greater transparency regarding individual MMR ratings, suggesting in-game visibility instead of requiring players to submit data requests to Activision. Real-time MMR tracking would allow players to directly observe the impact of their performance.
Olsen's attempts to refine the SBMM and MMR systems, including a pitch to Infinity Ward during the development of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), faced resistance. He attributes this to the inherent challenges of implementing external ideas and a general lack of understanding regarding the intricacies of the matchmaking system. Despite these setbacks, Olsen maintains that player concerns about SBMM are legitimate and deserve attention.
