Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Introduces Third Matchmaking System

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is rolling out a new matchmaking system with the launch of its fifth season. This marks the third distinct matchmaking option available to players, a move that stems from ongoing community feedback and data analysis regarding multiplayer experiences. The new system is directly inspired by the matchmaking found in the recently released PlayStation ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2.

This latest addition will be integrated across several playlists, including Quick Play, Party Games, and the specifically named Black Ops Classic playlist. Players have been able to choose between the standard matchmaking and a newly introduced "Open" matchmaking system since the game's launch. The standard system is often referred to by players as Skill-based Matchmaking (SBMM), implying a stronger emphasis on player skill. The "Open" system, conversely, was stated to take "minimal skill consideration" into account.

With the addition of the new system, players will now have three distinct matchmaking choices for modes like Team Deathmatch, each offering a different approach to connecting players. Details regarding how this latest system differentiates itself from the existing "Open" option have not yet been provided by developer Treyarch, though the publisher Activision has been contacted for clarification.

This update to Black Ops 7's matchmaking follows the recent inclusion of the "Classic" mode, which was also inspired by Black Ops 1 and 2 and has since become a permanent fixture in the game. The ports of Black Ops 1 and 2, despite criticism regarding their value proposition, have successfully reignited discussions about the preferences of the Call of Duty community, particularly the divide between those who favor the more deliberate pacing of older titles and those who prefer the modern, faster-paced gameplay.

Looking ahead, the upcoming beta for August's Modern Warfare 4 is also slated to offer both standard and "Open" matchmaking, suggesting that these options will continue to be a standard feature in future Call of Duty titles.