Since the early days of Call of Duty, the franchise has seen numerous shifts in its matchmaking systems, each impacting the player experience in different ways. 

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While the introduction of Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) has been a defining feature in recent CoD titles, many players still long for the more chaotic and unpredictable nature of traditional matchmaking, which was prevalent in earlier Call of Duty games. In this blog, we will compare SBMM with traditional matchmaking, exploring the benefits and drawbacks of each system, and examine how these approaches affect the overall gameplay experience.

What is Traditional Matchmaking?

Traditional matchmaking in Call of Duty games typically relied on simpler, more randomized methods of pairing players together. This system didn't focus on balancing skill levels but instead used factors like connection quality (ping), player region, or random selection to form matches. Players could be grouped with opponents who were much more skilled (or much less skilled) than them, which often led to highly unpredictable and sometimes unbalanced games.

Characteristics of Traditional Matchmaking:

• Randomized Player Pool: Players would often be matched against people with varying skill levels. A single match could feature a mix of highly skilled veterans, average players, and newcomers.
• Less Focus on Skill Metrics: There was little to no tracking of player performance across games. Instead, the system focused mainly on connection, geography, or random assignment.
• Higher Game Variability: Matches could vary greatly in difficulty, with no guarantee of fairness, making each game feel unique and unpredictable.

The appeal of traditional matchmaking was that it allowed for a more varied and chaotic gaming experience. Some players enjoyed the sense of unpredictability, where every match felt like a new challenge. It also gave rise to the iconic "pub stomping" phenomenon, where highly skilled players could dominate newer or less-experienced players, creating one-sided but exciting battles.

What is Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM)?

Skill-Based Matchmaking, in contrast, is designed to create a more competitive and balanced environment by pairing players of similar skill levels together. The system uses a variety of performance metrics—such as K/D ratio, accuracy, score per minute (SPM), win/loss ratio, and others—to evaluate a player’s skill and match them with people of comparable abilities. SBMM aims to reduce the chances of "smurfing" (experienced players deliberately playing at lower skill levels) and ensure that every match feels fair and competitive.

Characteristics of SBMM:

• Performance-Driven: Players are paired based on their past performance, focusing on metrics like K/D ratio, win rates, and accuracy.
• Fairer, More Competitive Matches: SBMM aims to ensure that matches are more balanced, with players of similar skill levels competing against each other.
• Increased Match Consistency: Players can expect to face opponents of similar skill levels consistently, making matches feel more predictable in terms of difficulty.

SBMM has become the norm in most recent Call of Duty titles, including Modern Warfare (2019), Cold War (2020), and Warzone. It has gained praise for making matches more competitive and less frustrating for newer or less-experienced players. However, it has also been criticized for removing the unpredictable, fun nature that many fans loved in earlier games.

Key Differences Between SBMM and Traditional Matchmaking

1. Player Experience and Fun Factor

• SBMM: The primary advantage of SBMM is that it aims to create fair, competitive matches. Players of similar skill levels face off, which means no one should feel out of their depth or overly frustrated. However, for casual players, this can result in an experience that feels more like a grind, as every match can feel like a serious competition. This increases the overall difficulty and pressure, which some players find stressful rather than fun.

• Traditional Matchmaking: Traditional matchmaking often led to unpredictable matches, which could range from easy victories to one-sided defeats. For casual players, this unpredictability was a huge draw, as matches felt less like a test of skill and more like a fun experience. However, this led to frustration for players who were frequently outclassed by more experienced competitors, making it less appealing for newcomers or less-skilled players.

2. Match Balance and Fairness

• SBMM: The main goal of SBMM is to balance matches and ensure fairness. Players are paired with others who have similar skill levels, reducing the likelihood of "pub stomping" (where experienced players dominate beginners). This leads to more evenly matched games where each player has an equal chance of winning. However, the downside is that it often results in longer, more drawn-out matches, where every player is at the peak of their abilities, making it harder to "relax" and enjoy the game casually.

• Traditional Matchmaking: Traditional matchmaking often resulted in highly unbalanced matches, especially for players who were new to the game or less experienced. For example, a newer player might end up in a lobby with veterans, leading to a frustrating experience. However, some players enjoyed the chaos and the unpredictability of these encounters, while others didn’t mind losing occasionally, as it was seen as part of the game's natural ebb and flow.

3. Player Motivation and Progression

• SBMM: With SBMM, players are constantly matched with people of similar skill, meaning progression is often slower, but more rewarding when victories are achieved. Players may feel a greater sense of accomplishment when they outperform other skilled opponents. However, it also means that the learning curve can feel steeper, as players must constantly improve to keep up with others at their level. Some players may feel burnout as they are forced to "try hard" in every match, potentially diminishing the joy of playing.

• Traditional Matchmaking: In traditional matchmaking, progression felt more organic, as players could climb the ranks by winning matches regardless of the skill of their opponents. This system encouraged a more relaxed, less competitive approach, which allowed for different types of playstyles to emerge, even if that meant losing more often or having less consistent experiences.

4. Game Variety and Replayability

• SBMM: SBMM leads to more consistency in matchmaking, meaning players are constantly facing opponents of similar skill levels. While this can improve the competitiveness of a match, it can also make the gameplay feel repetitive. Players might face similar opponents, strategies, and challenges in every match, reducing the variety and making it harder to experience the chaos that is often a hallmark of Call of Duty multiplayer.

• Traditional Matchmaking: Traditional matchmaking, due to its randomness, allowed players to experience more variety in each match. Players were more likely to encounter different playstyles, strategies, and even modes of gameplay, making each session feel fresh. While this often led to frustration when facing much stronger opponents, the unpredictability kept players engaged and on their toes, making it an exciting experience for many.

Which System is Better for Call of Duty?

The question of which system is "better" ultimately depends on the type of player you are.

• For Competitive Players: If you're someone who thrives on intense competition and wants every match to feel like a true test of skill, SBMM is likely the preferable system. It offers more consistent and balanced gameplay, which is ideal for players who want to see progress and continually challenge themselves.

• For Casual Players: If you’re someone who just wants to unwind, have fun, and experience the chaotic nature of Call of Duty, traditional matchmaking might be more appealing. While it’s more likely to result in unbalanced matches, the unpredictability and variety of traditional matchmaking often lead to a more relaxed and fun experience.

The Hybrid Solution: Can We Have the Best of Both Worlds?

Some players advocate for a hybrid approach that combines the benefits of both SBMM and traditional matchmaking. This could involve having separate playlists or game modes for both systems, allowing players to choose the experience that best suits their mood or skill level.

For example:

• Casual Playlist: A mode with more randomized matchmaking, focusing on fun and less on skill. Players could experience the old-school chaos and unpredictability of Call of Duty without the pressure of facing high-skill opponents all the time.

• Ranked Playlist: A competitive mode with SBMM, where only the most dedicated players can test their skills against others of similar caliber.

This hybrid model could be a great way to satisfy both competitive and casual players, offering each group an experience tailored to their preferences.

Conclusion

Both SBMM and traditional matchmaking have their pros and cons, and neither system is without its criticisms. SBMM offers a more competitive, balanced experience, but it often leads to higher stress levels and a less varied gameplay experience. Traditional matchmaking, on the other hand, fosters chaos, unpredictability, and fun but can sometimes lead to frustratingly unbalanced matches.

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The future of Call of Duty matchmaking will likely involve further refinement of SBMM, with some hybrid solutions or separate modes that give players more choice. Ultimately, the goal is to create an experience that allows both competitive players and casual gamers to enjoy Call of Duty at their own pace, and the community’s feedback will be key to shaping this evolution.