21/10/2025

"Call of Duty is finally on the road to recovery" - SBMM flies out of Black Ops 7

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Treyarch confirms: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will launch with open matchmaking and persistent lobbies.

CoD: Black Ops 7 – New Japan Maps Combine Tradition and Modernity

Beta End with Strong Reactions

The open beta of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 ended on Thursday, October 9, 2025, after a one-day extension – a gesture to the overwhelmingly positive player feedback.
Following that, fans were able to ask their questions and share opinions directly with the developers during a Q&A session. In the subsequent Dev Talk with Matt Sconce, Design Director at Treyarch, major adjustments were revealed that will be implemented before the official release on November 14, 2025.

Farewell to Skill-Based Matchmaking

One of the biggest steps: SBMM is being removed.
At launch, the multiplayer mode will return to classic matchmaking, where player skill will no longer play a dominant role. This marks a departure from one of the most controversial systems in recent years.
The return to traditional matchmaking is seen as a response to years of fan demand. Many veteran players had criticized SBMM as the main reason for frustrating and unnatural gameplay experiences.

Persistent Lobbies, Aim Assist & Audio Tweaks

Alongside open matchmaking, another fan-favorite feature returns: persistent lobbies.
Players will remain in the same lobby after a match – just like in earlier Black Ops titles.
Gameplay will also receive several updates:

Aim Assist will be fine-tuned to ensure better balance across all input types.
Footstep sounds will be slightly louder at launch to improve situational awareness and overall immersion.

These adjustments aim to make the overall gameplay experience more natural and tactical.

Community Between Excitement and Skepticism

The majority of the community appears pleased: many praise Treyarch for finally taking player feedback seriously. The return to classic matchmaking is considered a major victory for long-time fans.
However, not everyone is convinced. Some players remain skeptical, fearing that the removal of SBMM could result in unbalanced matches.
Others criticize that the community seems dissatisfied even when developers implement exactly what fans have been asking for.
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The Next Big Test Awaits

Whether these changes deliver the desired results will become clear on November 14, 2025. That’s when Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 officially launches – and players will decide if this new direction truly marks a turning point for the franchise.

(Image source: Treyarch)