The Call of Duty community has been locked in a years-long debate over skill-based matchmaking, and with Black Ops 7’s launch just around the corner, Treyarch has finally addressed the elephant in the room. After countless player complaints, Reddit threads, and heated discussions across social media platforms, the developers have unveiled their vision for multiplayer matchmaking in the latest installment of the iconic franchise. Let’s dive deep into everything you need to know about how Black Ops 7’s matchmaking system will work when the game drops on November 14, 2025.
The End of an Era: SBMM Takes a Backseat
For the first time in nearly a decade, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is breaking tradition by making “Open Matchmaking with minimal skill consideration” the default experience for multiplayer. This marks a significant departure from the aggressive skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) systems that have dominated the franchise since Modern Warfare (2019) revamped how players are matched together.
“Simply put, imagine the matchmaking experience of Open Moshpit from the Beta, but as the standard in Black Ops 7 on day one,” Treyarch announced in their official blog post. “Our team feels strongly about providing players with a more varied experience, and the Beta proved to be a great opportunity to test this approach.”
This change represents a massive victory for players who have long argued that SBMM creates overly competitive “sweaty” lobbies where every match feels like a professional tournament. The system, designed to match players of similar skill levels, has been criticized for removing the casual fun and variety that made earlier Call of Duty titles so beloved.
What Open Matchmaking Really Means for Players?
When Treyarch says “minimal skill consideration,” they’re referring to a matchmaking system that prioritizes connection quality and geographic location over player skill. This means you’ll be matched with players based primarily on:
- Connection strength for the smoothest possible gameplay experience
- Geographic proximity to reduce latency and lag
- Available players in your region at any given time
Skill level becomes a secondary consideration, rather than the primary factor it has been in recent Call of Duty titles. This approach harkens back to the classic Call of Duty experience where lobbies felt more unpredictable and varied, with players of all skill levels mixing together naturally.
The beta’s Open Moshpit playlist gave players a taste of this system, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Many players reported feeling less pressure to perform at their peak every single match, while others enjoyed the opportunity to face opponents with wildly different playstyles and skill levels.
The Exception: Where SBMM Still Lives
While the majority of Black Ops 7’s multiplayer will feature Open matchmaking, Treyarch has confirmed there will be exceptions to this rule. Understanding that some players genuinely prefer skill-based matches, the developers have implemented a compromise solution.
Rotating Closed Matchmaking Moshpit
A rotating “Closed Matchmaking” Moshpit playlist will be available at launch where “skill will be an important consideration.” This playlist serves as a haven for players who enjoy the competitive nature of skill-based matchmaking and want to face opponents of similar ability levels.
This rotating playlist is essentially Treyarch’s way of acknowledging that the player base is divided on the SBMM issue. By providing both options, they’re attempting to please both camps – those who want relaxed, varied matches and those who prefer consistently competitive gameplay.
Ranked Play: The SBMM Sanctuary
When Ranked Play launches in Season 02 (early 2026), it will also utilize skill-based matchmaking heavily. This makes perfect sense from a competitive standpoint, as ranked modes inherently need to match players based on skill to maintain fair competition and meaningful progression systems.
The decision to keep SBMM in Ranked Play while removing it from most public playlists shows Treyarch’s understanding that different game modes serve different purposes. Public multiplayer is about fun and variety, while ranked play is about competition and skill demonstration.
Persistent Lobbies: The Comeback Kids
In addition to the matchmaking overhaul, Black Ops 7 is bringing back a feature that players have been demanding for years: persistent lobbies. For those unfamiliar with the term, persistent lobbies mean that after a match ends, players remain in the same lobby and can continue playing together without being forcibly separated.
“We’ve heard the community discussion and dialogue around lobby disbanding, and as we mentioned earlier during the Beta, we’re focused on keeping players together from match to match more often,” Treyarch explained. “Today, we’re excited to announce we’ll have persistent lobbies at launch for Black Ops 7.”
This feature is more significant than it might initially appear. Persistent lobbies foster community building, allow rivalries to develop naturally, and give players the opportunity to form parties with people they enjoy playing with. It’s a social feature that has been sorely missed since Call of Duty moved away from this system several years ago.
The Community Reaction: Divided but Hopeful
As with any major change to a beloved franchise, the community reaction to Black Ops 7’s matchmaking system has been mixed. The debate essentially breaks down into two main camps:
The Pro-Open Matchmaking Camp
Players in favor of the change argue that:
- SBMM made every match feel stressful and competitive
- They couldn’t relax and have fun without performing at their best
- The variety of skill levels in open lobbies makes matches more interesting and unpredictable
- High-skill players and streamers were the primary beneficiaries of SBMM removal
- Connection quality should always take priority over skill matching
The Pro-SBMM Camp
Players concerned about the change worry that:
- New or less skilled players will be consistently destroyed by veterans
- The learning curve will be steeper without skill-based protection
- Matches will feel unbalanced and frustrating
- The “fun” of being matched against similar skill levels will be lost
- Cheaters and smurfs will have more impact on the game experience
Interestingly, during the beta, there were reports of players in both camps having their expectations challenged. Some self-described “not that good” players tried open playlists and got destroyed, then switched to SBMM playlists and had more fun. Conversely, some competitive players found they enjoyed the variety and unpredictability of open matchmaking more than they expected.
Technical Considerations: More Than Just Matchmaking
The matchmaking changes in Black Ops 7 aren’t happening in isolation. Treyarch has also announced several technical adjustments that will complement the new system:
Aim Assist Tuning
Aim assist is getting additional tuning before launch, though the exact changes haven’t been detailed. This is particularly relevant given the ongoing controller vs. mouse and keyboard debate in the Call of Duty community. Treyarch previously mentioned that “controller players are winning slightly more in close-range engagements,” suggesting that aim assist adjustments might be part of balancing the playing field.
Anti-Cheat Improvements
The Ricochet anti-cheat system showed impressive results during the beta, with 98.8% of matches being cheater-free by day five, up from 97.5% on day one. This is crucial for an open matchmaking system, as the absence of SBMM could potentially make cheating more impactful if not properly controlled.
Server Infrastructure
With open matchmaking prioritizing connection quality, robust server infrastructure becomes even more critical. Treyarch hasn’t detailed specific server improvements, but the success of the beta’s open playlists suggests they’re confident in their technical foundation.
What This Means for the Future of Call of Duty
Black Ops 7’s matchmaking approach could represent a turning point for the franchise. If successful, we might see future Call of Duty titles adopt similar systems, potentially ending the SBMM era that began with Modern Warfare (2019).
However, Treyarch has been careful with their wording, stating that the launch experience will be “similar to the beta experience” rather than identical. This leaves room for adjustments based on player feedback and data collected after launch.
The timing of this announcement is also noteworthy, coming just before Battlefield 6’s launch. This suggests that Treyarch and Activision are aware of the competitive landscape and want to position Black Ops 7 as the player-friendly alternative in the ongoing battle between the two franchises.
Launch Day Expectations: What Players Should Prepare For
When Black Ops 7 launches on November 14, 2025, players should expect:
- Open matchmaking as the default across most playlists
- A rotating Closed Matchmaking Moshpit for those who prefer skill-based matches
- Persistent lobbies that keep players together between matches
- Quick matchmaking times due to prioritizing connection over skill
- Varied match experiences with unpredictable skill distributions
- Potential for unbalanced matches as the system finds its footing
New players should be prepared for a steeper learning curve, while veterans might need to adjust to facing opponents of widely varying skill levels. The first few weeks after launch will be crucial as Treyarch collects data and potentially makes adjustments to the system.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Change Matters
Beyond the immediate impact on gameplay, Black Ops 7’s matchmaking approach represents a significant philosophical shift for the Call of Duty franchise. For years, developers have prioritized data-driven matchmaking systems designed to optimize player retention and engagement metrics. This move suggests that Treyarch is willing to prioritize player enjoyment and community feedback over purely analytical approaches.
The decision also acknowledges that different players want different things from their Call of Duty experience. Some want to relax and have fun, others want intense competition, and many fall somewhere in between. By providing options rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, Treyarch is showing respect for the diversity of their player base.
Final Thoughts: A Bold Step Forward
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7’s matchmaking system represents one of the most significant changes to the franchise in recent memory. By moving away from aggressive SBMM and embracing open matchmaking with persistent lobbies, Treyarch is taking a bold step that could redefine the Call of Duty multiplayer experience.
The success of this approach will ultimately depend on implementation and the community’s response, but early signs from the beta are promising. If Treyarch can deliver on their vision of providing “a more varied experience” while maintaining fair and enjoyable gameplay, Black Ops 7 could mark the beginning of a new era for Call of Duty multiplayer.
As we approach launch day, one thing is certain: the conversation around matchmaking in Call of Duty is far from over. But for the first time in years, it feels like the developers are truly listening to what players want, and that’s something worth celebrating.
Whether you’re a veteran player looking for the classic Call of Duty experience or a newcomer curious about the franchise’s evolution, Black Ops 7’s matchmaking system promises to deliver something different. And in a gaming landscape often criticized for playing it safe, different is exactly what we need.