Treyarch design director Matt Scronce has addressed a growing conspiracy theory about the matchmaking systems in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. He denied on social media that the studio secretly changed the game’s skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) settings to accommodate more casual players during the holiday season. When fans asked about what they perceived as a shift in the multiplayer experience, Scronce was clear that no such adjustments had been made.
The issue highlights the ongoing tension between the Call of Duty community and developers regarding how players are matched in lobbies. For years, the franchise has relied on SBMM, which considers statistics like kill-death ratios and objective play to pair players of similar skill. Many veteran players argue that this system makes casual matches feel like high-stakes tournaments, leaving little room for a relaxed experience. This latest incident shows that even without official changes, players’ views of the system are at a low.
The developer’s statement comes at a challenging time for the latest installment in the series. While Black Ops 7 remains a strong seller, reports indicate that its opening week sales are about 50% lower than those of last year’s Black Ops 6. The title has also faced criticism from its core fanbase, dealing with complaints about its single-player story and technical issues. The situation is worsened by the success of Battlefield 6, which launched with record numbers in October and provides tough competition in the military shooter market.
Looking forward, Treyarch aims to steady the game with a consistent stream of seasonal content. The studio confirmed a dedicated Ranked queue will launch with Season 2 in early February, which may help address some SBMM concerns by offering a specific area for competitive play. In the meantime, players can look out for a mid-season update in January that will feature a crossover with the Fallout franchise, as Activision seeks to build momentum into the new year.
