Time: 2025-11-14
The community's celebration was short-lived. After the Black Ops 7 beta featured open matchmaking, fans believed the dreaded Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) era was over. But in a last-minute announcement, Activision pulled a stunning reversal, confirming SBMM's return and leaving players feeling betrayed.
A "Bait-and-Switch" Matchmaking Strategy
Treyarch's official statement tried to soften the blow. They confirmed that most core playlists would use the open matchmaking from the beta. However, a key detail was buried: a rotating playlist at launch will enforce SBMM, and the competitive Ranked Play mode arriving in Season 2 will be fully skill-based.
The careful wording—"the majority of playlists"—has not gone unnoticed. This leaves the door wide open for Activision to gradually reintroduce stricter SBMM across more playlists after the game launches, a tactic many see as a calculated "bait-and-switch" to secure pre-orders based on a false premise.
Player Trust vs. Corporate Metrics
Why the reversal? Critics point directly to Activision's obsession with player retention data. The company has long argued that SBMM keeps less-skilled players engaged, even if it creates exhausting "sweaty" lobbies for dedicated fans. With competition from Battlefield and the looming release of Grand Theft Auto VI, Activision appears to be prioritizing metrics over the core player experience.
The timing of the announcement, coming just days after the pre-order window closed, has further fueled anger. It seems designed to lock in sales before revealing the controversial feature, a move that has shattered the fragile trust the beta had begun to rebuild.
Gaining an Edge in a New Era of SBMM
While Treyarch promises lobbies won't disband as frequently, the damage is done. The return of SBMM, however limited initially, means players will once again face an uphill battle for high rankings and the best loot.
For those looking to overcome these new challenges and dominate the competition, having the right gear is essential. If you want to secure a decisive advantage, you can buy Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 items from the trusted vendor MMOMAX. They offer a secure and fast way to acquire powerful weapons and resources, letting you focus on your gameplay instead of the grind.
A Clouded Launch
What should be an exciting moment for Call of Duty fans is now overshadowed by controversy. Activision's decision highlights the ongoing conflict between creating a fun player experience and chasing corporate KPIs. Whether SBMM remains contained or slowly takes over the entire game, the community's eyes are wide open, watching Activision's every move with well-earned skepticism.