The Call of Duty community has spoken, and for once, it seems like Activision and Treyarch are actually listening. After years of heated debates, countless Reddit threads, angry Youtubers and more than a few rage-quit moments, Black Ops 7 is making a bold move that has longtime fans cautiously optimistic: the controversial Skill-Based Matchmaking system is getting the boot from most playlists.
With the official launch just around the corner, the anticipation is real. Sure, Black Ops 7 has had its fair share of skeptics—especially with its futuristic setting raising eyebrows among purists—but the dedicated fanbase remains locked in, waiting to see if Treyarch can deliver on its promises. And the biggest promise? A matchmaking experience that feels less like a sweaty eSports tournament and more like the classic Call of Duty chaos we all remember.
The SBMM saga, why everyone has an opinion
Let’s address the elephant in the lobby: Skill-Based Matchmaking. If you’ve been anywhere near the Call of Duty community in recent years, you know this topic is about as divisive as pineapple on pizza. The system was designed with good intentions—pairing players of similar skill levels to create balanced, competitive matches. Sounds great on paper, right?
Well, not everyone agrees. While Activision released a study in 2024 showing that SBMM improves player retention and reduces mid-match quitting, a vocal portion of the community has been pushing back hard. Their argument? The system punishes skilled players by constantly throwing them into high-intensity matches, turning every casual session into a tryhard sweatfest. For many veterans, it’s taken the fun out of just hopping on for a few relaxed games with friends.
The debate has raged on for years, with content creators, competitive players, and casual fans all weighing in. Some appreciate the competitive balance, while others miss the unpredictable, varied lobbies of older titles where you might stomp one match and get humbled the next.
Treyarch’s response: A matchmaking makeover
Here’s where things get interesting. During the October beta, Treyarch threw the community a curveball by introducing a playlist without Skill-Based Matchmaking. The response was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. Players got a taste of what matchmaking felt like in the franchise’s earlier days—more random, more chaotic, and for many, more enjoyable.
Taking that feedback to heart, the developers confirmed that Black Ops 7 would distance itself from the SBMM model at launch. As we inch closer to release day, Activision has provided more concrete details. In a recent social media post, the publisher confirmed that the majority of multiplayer modes will feature open matchmaking, where skill is considered “minimally” in the equation—essentially mirroring that well-received beta experience.
But before you start celebrating too hard, there’s a catch. The rotational Moshpit playlist launching alongside the game will still utilize SBMM. Additionally, when Ranked Mode arrives during Season 2 in early 2026, skill-based matchmaking will naturally play a significant role in forming balanced competitive matches. That makes sense, though—if you’re jumping into ranked play, you’re signing up for the sweat.
On a brighter note, Treyarch also confirmed that persistent lobbies will be available from day one. This feature keeps players together more frequently after consecutive matches, bringing back that old-school feeling of building rivalries and friendships with the same group of players over multiple games.
Community feedback driving real change
It’s no secret that Black Ops 7 has faced an uphill battle winning over certain segments of the fanbase. The futuristic setting hasn’t exactly set everyone’s hearts racing, especially when you consider that Battlefield 6 and newcomers like Arc Raiders have been stealing headlines and player attention. The competition is fierce, and Activision knows it.
That’s why the publisher has shifted gears, adopting a more transparent approach with the community in recent months. Beyond removing SBMM from most playlists, the development team has committed to implementing balance adjustments and audio improvements based directly on player feedback from the beta. It’s a refreshing change of pace to see a major studio actually course-correcting based on what players are saying.
There’s more good news for fans craving authenticity. Black Ops 7 is stepping away from the over-the-top collaborations and outlandish cosmetic skins that have become synonymous with recent entries. While cosmetics will still be part of the package—this is a modern Call of Duty game, after all—they’re expected to stay grounded within the futuristic theme rather than breaking immersion with cartoon characters or celebrity crossovers.
This shift in philosophy also led to the cancellation of the Carry Forward system, which would have allowed players to transfer their Black Ops 6 items into the new game. It’s a bold move that signals Treyarch’s commitment to giving Black Ops 7 its own distinct identity rather than simply building on what came before.
What this means for the franchise
The changes coming to Black Ops 7 represent more than just tweaks to matchmaking algorithms or cosmetic policies. They signal a potential turning point in how Activision approaches community feedback. For years, players have felt like their concerns fell on deaf ears, but the studio’s willingness to test alternatives during the beta and implement changes based on results shows a level of responsiveness that’s been sorely missing.
Will it be enough to win back skeptical fans and compete with the growing list of shooters vying for attention? That remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain: Treyarch is making a genuine effort to recapture what made Call of Duty special in the first place—fast-paced, unpredictable multiplayer action where anything can happen.
As launch day approaches, the Call of Duty community watches with cautious optimism. The removal of SBMM from most playlists, the return of persistent lobbies, and the commitment to a more grounded aesthetic all point in the right direction. Whether Black Ops 7 can deliver on these promises and stand out in an increasingly crowded market will ultimately come down to execution.
For now, though, fans have reason to be hopeful. After all, it’s not every day that a major franchise actually listens to its community and makes meaningful changes. Let’s see if Black Ops 7 can stick the landing.