Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 introduced an Open Moshpit playlist during the October beta where skill consideration is drastically reduced when matchmaking, marking the first time Activision has publicly acknowledged years of community backlash against strict skill-based matchmaking (SBMM). The beta now features two playlists with identical maps and modes: standard Moshpit using regular SBMM algorithms, and Open Moshpit matching players with and against players of more varied skill differences than in the current multiplayer matchmaking system. The unprecedented move comes as Black Ops 7 competes with Battlefield 6 for player attention amid declining Call of Duty engagement.
What Activision Actually Said
The October 4 beta patch notes framed the Open Moshpit addition carefully. Like all things in Beta, our collective goal is to gather critical in-game data and feedback to make Black Ops 7 the best experience possible, Activision wrote. We’re engaging with the community discussion about matchmaking and will be making some updates to our playlist plans. That language positions reduced SBMM as a beta experiment rather than permanent policy change, preserving Activision’s ability to reverse course if data doesn’t support their hypothesis.
The description of Open Moshpit emphasized the goal of providing more varied match experiences and outcomes compared to strict SBMM’s tendency toward evenly matched games. This playlist will match players with and against players of more varied skill differences represents Activision’s first official admission that current matchmaking creates homogenous experiences where every match feels equally sweaty. The drastically reduced qualification leaves room for interpretation about how much SBMM remains active versus being completely disabled.
The SBMM Controversy Explained
Skill-based matchmaking algorithmically pairs players with others of similar skill levels, theoretically creating balanced matches where both teams have equal chances of winning. Modern Warfare 2019 marked Call of Duty’s shift toward strict SBMM implementation, analyzing player performance metrics including kill/death ratios, score per minute, accuracy, and match outcomes to assign hidden matchmaking ratings. The system then uses those ratings to build lobbies where teams are evenly matched based on aggregated skill levels.
The primary critique from high-skill players argues that strict SBMM makes every casual lobby feel like ranked competitive matches. When algorithms ensure teams are evenly balanced, victories require maximum effort using meta weapons and tactics. Players can’t experiment with off-meta loadouts, complete challenges using suboptimal weapons, or play casually with friends of different skill levels without getting destroyed. The system allegedly calculates individual hidden MMR rather than team composition, meaning a high-skill player grouping with low-skill friends gets matched against opponents roughly averaging their combined skill, creating frustrating experiences where the strong player carries while weaker friends get demolished.
Why Lower-Skill Players Don’t Complain
SBMM benefits lower-skill and average players by protecting them from getting stomped by significantly better opponents. Without skill-based matching, new or casual players get matched randomly, frequently facing experienced veterans who dominate matches. That creates terrible player retention as newcomers quit after repeatedly going 3-15 in matches where they have no chance of competing. SBMM ensures everyone gets competitive matches roughly matching their ability level, keeping casual players engaged rather than driving them away through constant losses.
However, average players rarely engage in online discourse about matchmaking systems. They simply play Call of Duty for entertainment without analyzing why their matches feel balanced or contemplating algorithmic matchmaking mechanics. High-skill players who frequent Reddit, YouTube, and Twitter constitute the vocal minority complaining about SBMM because they’re the demographic most negatively impacted. The silent majority benefits from or doesn’t notice SBMM’s effects, creating perception that the community overwhelmingly hates the system when in reality it’s a specific subset of above-average players voicing grievances.
The Former Developer’s Critique
Charlie Olsson, who worked at Activision’s Demonware subsidiary developing MMR algorithms that became the crux of Call of Duty’s SBMM starting with Infinite Warfare 2016, criticized Treyarch’s Open Moshpit implementation. Ironically, Treyarch made the same mathematical fallacy in the Black Ops 7 patch notes that Mark Rubin made with XDefiant, Olsson wrote, referencing Ubisoft’s failed Call of Duty competitor that shut down after emphasizing no SBMM as a selling point.
Olsson explained that a top 10 percent player’s win rate in lobbies without SBMM is 90 percent. There will be a larger variety of skills within the match, but your experience will be consistent. You will almost always be one of the two best players in the match and therefore a top performer. He predicts heavy self-selection where low-skilled players actively avoid Open Moshpit after getting destroyed, leaving only sweaty high-skill players competing against each other. That creates the ironic outcome where the reduced SBMM playlist becomes sweatier than regular matchmaking because it concentrates competitive players seeking easier lobbies.
The XDefiant Comparison
Ubisoft’s XDefiant launched in 2024 heavily marketing its casual playlist with no SBMM as the primary differentiator from Call of Duty. The game shut down permanently in June 2025 after critical failings including poor player retention. Olsson’s reference suggests that removing SBMM doesn’t automatically create better experiences, contrary to what vocal communities claim they want. XDefiant’s failure demonstrates that casual players actually need SBMM protection from getting stomped, even if they don’t articulate that need or understand matchmaking mechanics.
The developer’s suggested solution involves transparent MMR displays in combat records allowing players to track their skill ratings, combined with reward systems where higher-skill lobbies provide XP multipliers and exclusive cosmetics. Essentially, make being good feel rewarding instead of feeling like you’re being punished for being good. That addresses the core complaint that strict SBMM creates negative reinforcement loops where improving at the game makes matches progressively less enjoyable rather than more rewarding.
Why This Change Happened Now
Activision’s decision to introduce reduced SBMM playlists feels like a direct response to dipping engagement during the Beta period according to GameRant’s analysis. Call of Duty is worried about their sales for the first time in a decade, one Reddit commenter noted. The franchise faces unprecedented competition from Battlefield 6 releasing 2026, plus ongoing challenges from free-to-play alternatives like Warzone and persistent player complaints about aggressive monetization following Microsoft’s acquisition.
Black Ops 6 losing Microsoft over 300 million dollars by launching on Game Pass instead of traditional sales created financial pressure to maximize Black Ops 7’s commercial performance. That makes player retention during beta periods critically important for building hype and pre-order momentum. If beta engagement metrics showed players dropping off faster than previous titles, introducing an anti-SBMM playlist becomes a calculated risk to win back dissatisfied high-skill players who might otherwise skip the game entirely or wait for Battlefield 6.
Community Reaction: Cautious Optimism
Reddit and YouTube responses celebrated Open Moshpit as validation of years-long complaints about strict matchmaking. We need Battlefield 6 to come out every year was a common refrain suggesting competition finally forced Activision’s hand. High-skill content creators who frequently criticize SBMM praised the change while acknowledging it’s only a beta experiment that could disappear at launch. Several users noted that introducing the option during beta allows Activision to collect data proving or disproving whether reduced SBMM actually improves engagement.
Skeptics questioned whether Open Moshpit truly reduces SBMM substantially or just tweaks parameters slightly while claiming drastically reduced for marketing purposes. Others expressed concern about Charlie Olsson’s self-selection prediction, warning that the playlist could become sweatier than regular matchmaking as low-skill players avoid it. Some commenters noticed lower ping in Open Moshpit, though Windows Central’s analysis suggested that’s coincidental rather than causally linked to reduced SBMM, since connection quality and skill matching aren’t mutually exclusive priorities.
What This Means for Launch
The beta framing allows Activision to gather data without committing to keeping reduced SBMM playlists at launch. If Open Moshpit shows significantly better engagement metrics, player retention, and positive sentiment, the company might permanently add casual playlists alongside ranked competitive modes. If data shows exactly what Charlie Olsson predicted, heavy self-selection creating worse experiences than regular matchmaking, Activision can quietly remove the feature while claiming beta experiments confirmed SBMM’s necessity.
The language about engaging with community discussion positions this as responsive rather than reactive, framing Activision as listening to feedback rather than panicking about competition. Whether that’s genuine community engagement or cynical market competition response depends on whether reduced SBMM persists post-launch or quietly disappears. Activision’s history of ignoring SBMM complaints for years suggests the latter, though unprecedented Battlefield pressure could force permanent changes to retain market share.
The Broader Matchmaking Debate
Call of Duty’s SBMM controversy reflects broader gaming industry tensions about balancing competitive integrity with casual fun. Strict skill-based matching creates more balanced competitions but reduces variance and surprise. Random or connection-based matchmaking creates wildly unbalanced matches where dominant players feast on weaker opponents while new players get destroyed. Neither approach perfectly serves all player segments simultaneously, forcing developers to choose which audience to prioritize.
The solution likely involves playlist variety offering both options. Ranked modes with transparent MMR displays and reward systems incentivize competitive play for those seeking challenges. Casual playlists with connection-prioritized matchmaking allow veterans to relax and newcomers to gradually improve without constant sweaty matches. The problem is that splitting player populations across multiple playlists increases matchmaking times and fragments communities, creating technical and social costs that pure SBMM or pure random matching avoid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Call of Duty remove SBMM in Black Ops 7?
No, Call of Duty did not completely remove SBMM. The Black Ops 7 beta added an Open Moshpit playlist where skill consideration is drastically reduced, but regular Moshpit maintains standard SBMM. This is the first time Activision has offered any alternative to strict skill-based matchmaking.
What is SBMM in Call of Duty?
SBMM (Skill-Based Matchmaking) algorithmically matches players with others of similar skill levels based on performance metrics like K/D ratio, accuracy, and match outcomes. It creates balanced matches where teams have equal winning chances, but critics say it makes casual lobbies feel too competitive.
Why do players hate SBMM?
High-skill players complain that strict SBMM makes every casual match feel sweaty and competitive. They can’t experiment with off-meta weapons, complete challenges, or play casually without trying their hardest. Playing with lower-skilled friends creates unbalanced matches where one player carries while others get destroyed.
When does Black Ops 7 release?
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7’s full release date hasn’t been officially announced, but the open beta ran in early October 2025, suggesting a likely November 2025 release following Call of Duty’s traditional annual launch schedule.
What is Open Moshpit?
Open Moshpit is a new playlist introduced in the Black Ops 7 beta where skill consideration is drastically reduced when matchmaking. It matches players with and against opponents of more varied skill differences than regular playlists, creating less balanced but more varied matches.
Will reduced SBMM stay after the beta?
Unknown. Activision framed Open Moshpit as a beta experiment to gather data and feedback. Whether it becomes a permanent feature at launch depends on engagement metrics, player retention, and whether data supports or contradicts the hypothesis that reduced SBMM improves experiences.
What did the former Call of Duty developer say about this?
Charlie Olsson, who helped create Call of Duty’s SBMM algorithms, criticized the change. He predicts low-skilled players will avoid Open Moshpit after getting destroyed, causing heavy self-selection where only sweaty high-skill players compete, potentially making it sweatier than regular SBMM matchmaking.
Conclusion
Call of Duty’s introduction of reduced SBMM playlists in Black Ops 7 represents either unprecedented community responsiveness or desperate attempts to retain market share amid Battlefield 6 competition and declining engagement. After years of refusing to acknowledge SBMM complaints, Activision finally blinked, offering an alternative that vocal high-skill players demanded. Whether Open Moshpit survives past the beta depends on data showing improved engagement rather than Charlie Olsson’s predicted self-selection creating worse experiences than regular matchmaking. The experiment puts matchmaking philosophy to the test, determining whether the vocal anti-SBMM community represents genuine player preferences or just a loud minority whose desires contradict what actually creates sustainable engagement. For now, Black Ops 7 beta players can choose between balanced competitive matches and varied chaotic lobbies, testing whether the grass is actually greener on the no-SBMM side or if Activision’s years of defending strict matchmaking were justified all along.