Black Ops 7 Removes Skill-Based Matchmaking at Launch

Treyarch announced that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will launch with minimal skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) and persistent lobbies. The studio shared the changes in a blog post detailing Black Ops 7 beta feedback. The game launches November 14, 2025.

What Changed

Black Ops 7 multiplayer shifts to “minimal skill consideration” as the default matchmaking mode. Treyarch compared the new system to the Open Moshpit playlist from the beta. The studio said its team feels strongly about providing players with a more varied experience.

Persistent lobbies return at launch. You stay with the same group of players across multiple matches instead of getting shuffled into new lobbies after each game. Treyarch said it heard community feedback about lobby disbanding and committed to keeping players together more often.

Aim assist will receive additional tuning before launch. Treyarch did not specify the exact changes.

Why This Matters

Call of Duty has used increasingly aggressive skill-based matchmaking since Call of Duty 4. SBMM attempts to group similarly skilled players together. Critics argue this creates less variety in matches. Every game becomes a close fight between evenly matched teams. You get fewer crushing defeats but also fewer easy victories.

High-skill players and content creators criticized SBMM most loudly. Without strict skill matching, skilled players face more opponents they can dominate. This makes it easier to earn clip-worthy killstreaks and high scores. Lower-skill players face more risk of getting crushed by skilled opponents in matches with minimal SBMM.

The debate split the community for years. Some players prefer the challenge of evenly matched games. Others want the variety of random skill levels in public lobbies, even if it means occasional blowouts in either direction.

How the New System Works

Treyarch referenced the Open Moshpit beta playlist as the model for Black Ops 7 matchmaking. Players who tried that playlist reported mixed results. Some noticed little difference from standard matchmaking. Others felt matches varied more in difficulty.

The system still considers skill minimally. It does not completely ignore player ability. Treyarch has not disclosed the exact algorithm or thresholds.

Persistent lobbies let you stay with the same players between matches. If someone on the enemy team keeps camping the staircase, you face them again in the next round. Rivalries and social dynamics carry over instead of resetting after every game.

Context and Timing

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare introduced the franchise’s first SBMM implementation in 2007. Each subsequent title increased skill consideration in matchmaking. By 2019, SBMM became a major point of contention. Streamers and vocal community members pushed for its removal or reduction.

The shift to minimal SBMM represents a major policy reversal for the franchise. Treyarch’s decision acknowledges years of community feedback while risking potential backlash from players who prefer evenly matched games.

Whether minimal SBMM improves the experience depends on your skill level and preferences. If you sit in the middle of the skill curve, you might see little change. If you sit at the top or bottom, expect more variety in match outcomes.

PC Gamer staff who tested the Open Moshpit playlist during the beta reported it “seems alright, but didn’t really notice a difference.” The lack of dramatic change suggests the impact may vary by player.

Nostalgia for older Call of Duty titles plays a role in the SBMM debate. Many players remember the MW2 and Black Ops 1 era when pubstomping (dominating public lobbies) was easier. Those players celebrate this change. Others worry about unbalanced matches and one-sided stomps.

Treyarch promised to share more details about persistent lobbies soon. The studio committed to improving the experience for players but has not specified what improvements mean in practice.

How to Prepare

Black Ops 7 launches November 14, 2025 across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Multiplayer uses the new minimal SBMM system by default. You do not need to toggle settings or join special playlists.

For official updates, visit the Call of Duty blog or follow @Treyarch and @CallofDuty on X.

FAQ

What is SBMM?
Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) groups players of similar skill levels together in multiplayer matches.

Does Black Ops 7 completely remove SBMM?
No. Treyarch uses “minimal skill consideration,” not zero skill matching. The system still considers player ability to some degree.

What are persistent lobbies?
Persistent lobbies keep the same group of players together across multiple matches instead of disbanding after each game.

When does Black Ops 7 launch?
November 14, 2025 across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

Will I get stomped by skilled players more often?
It depends on your skill level. Lower-skill players face more risk of encountering high-skill opponents. High-skill players face more opportunities to dominate weaker opponents.

Can I still play with friends of different skill levels?
Yes. The minimal SBMM system makes it easier to play with friends across skill levels without strict matchmaking interference.