The multiplayer matchmaking system in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has sparked significant controversy among fans. Activision and Treyarch initially promised that the game would feature an "open matchmaking" system, where skill would be only minimally considered. This was a departure from the strict skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) systems seen in previous titles. However, players and testers quickly found that the new system felt just as competitive and punishing as before. While some might question the fairness of CoD BO7 Boosting, it's clear that many players are choosing to buy this service as a way to enjoy the game on their own terms.

What Happened?
During the game's beta, Treyarch promoted a matchmaking system designed to prioritize connection quality and offer more relaxed matches. This led many to hope that Black Ops 7 would finally reduce the "sweaty" and intense nature of competitive play that has become characteristic of modern Call of Duty games. However, when the game fully launched, players noticed that matches were often just as competitive as before. Experienced players were matched with similarly skilled opponents, resulting in intense, high-stress matches. Join times also became longer and connection quality worsened for higher-skilled accounts, suggesting that SBMM was still active despite the initial claims.

A well-known community tester, XclusiveAce, conducted detailed matchmaking experiments revealing that players with higher skill levels faced tougher opponents and worse match conditions. In contrast, lower-skilled "bot" accounts enjoyed easier, quicker matches with better ping. This evidence contradicted Treyarch’s statement about "minimal skill consideration" and pointed to the fact that Activision had secretly maintained an SBMM-heavy system.

Why This Matters
For many players, SBMM is seen as detrimental to the enjoyment of Call of Duty. It makes matches too competitive and stressful for casual players who just want to enjoy the game without intense competition. The backlash against the system has been fierce, with players feeling misled by Treyarch’s promises. The community feels divided, with some players defending the system, while others believe it manipulates them unfairly.

There is a growing call for greater transparency from the developers. Fans want the matchmaking system to return to the more relaxed style that was promised during the beta, and some are worried that Black Ops 7 could lose its player base if the current system persists.

Developer and Community Reactions
Treyarch has confirmed that the matchmaking system prioritizes connection quality, but the company insists that skill is only a minor factor. They also acknowledged that there were issues with matchmaking mode selection being overridden and promised fixes in the future. However, many veteran players remain skeptical, accusing Activision of using SBMM as a money-making tactic while pretending to listen to player feedback.

Even top-tier players and long-time community members have criticized the system for feeling identical to, or even worse than, the SBMM system in Black Ops 6, which was widely disliked. Some speculate that Activision plans to reintroduce full SBMM in future titles, such as Modern Warfare 4.

Final Thoughts
The Black Ops 7 matchmaking controversy highlights a deep disconnect between player expectations and corporate decisions. While the developers promised a more relaxed and enjoyable multiplayer experience, evidence suggests that Activision secretly reintroduced skill-based matchmaking at launch. This has fractured the community and damaged trust in the Call of Duty franchise. With fans hoping for a more casual-friendly experience, the debate over matchmaking transparency and fairness is far from over. If the issue is not addressed, Black Ops 7 may face a shrinking player base and continued frustration from its most dedicated fans.