Skill-based matchmaking is becoming a talking point in Black Ops 7 once again. Treyarch has quietly shifted one of its SBMM-heavy playlists into the Featured section of the game, signaling a renewed push toward more balanced, skill-driven matchmaking, even after months of community debate over the system.
According to internal playlist adjustments, the mode previously known as Standard Moshpit has been elevated to a Featured position because it’s been pulling noticeably higher engagement than expected. That means more players are actively choosing matches built around tighter skill ranges, despite the ongoing criticism that SBMM can make casual play feel sweaty or overly intense.
The update doesn’t remove any of the more relaxed options. Open Matchmaking, Party Games, and Quick Play still offer less restrictive lobbies for players who prefer chaotic, unpredictable rounds over strict balancing. But placing an SBMM-first playlist in the spotlight does shift the tone: Treyarch clearly believes there’s a substantial audience that wants fairer, more evenly matched fights, even if it makes some lobbies tougher.
This marks an interesting contrast to the studio’s approach at launch, when it emphasized that Open Matchmaking would be the default experience. Now, a few months later, engagement data seems to be pushing the team in the opposite direction.
If this trend continues, Black Ops 7 could evolve into a hybrid system where both casual and competitive matchmaking coexist but the Featured tab may begin setting the expectation for what the “intended” experience looks like.
Stay tuned to VGNW and follow us on X for ongoing updates as Black Ops 7’s matchmaking evolves and players react to Treyarch’s latest direction.
What is SBMM?
SBMM stands for Skill-Based Matchmaking. It’s a system that tries to place you in lobbies with players of similar skill, based on factors like your recent performance, K/D, and win rate. The goal is to create fairer matches, but some players feel it can make casual modes too intense, because almost every game ends up feeling like a ranked match.
