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The Call of Duty community is once again at odds with Activision. Despite promises that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 would return to a traditional “open matchmaking” system, players are convinced that strict Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) is still active.
Fans claim the game feels drastically different from the Open Beta held earlier this year. Now, developer Treyarch Studios has responded to a damning report that suggests the game still prioritises skill over connection quality.
Many players are reporting that their matches feel heavily SBMM infested, a stark contrast to their experience in the beta.
Do you believe that Activision lied about the open matchmaking in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7? pic.twitter.com/mfQqlnav6M
— Call of Duty Alerts (@WarzoneAlerts) November 28, 2025
The ‘Black Ops 7’ Test: Skill Over Connection?
Trusted YouTuber Xclusive Ace recently investigated these conspiracy theories. He ran controlled tests to verify the community’s suspicions. Ace used two distinct accounts:
- His high-skill main account
- A low-skill “bot” account
He replicated all conditions, including game modes and time of day.
The results were concerning. While the time to find a match was identical, the connection quality was not. Ace’s main account averaged a 42ms ping. In contrast, the bot account averaged a superior 20ms ping.
This discrepancy suggests the system ignored the best available connection for the high-skill account. Instead, it seemingly routed the player to a more distant server to find a suitable skill bracket. Ace noted that this was a small sample size, but the results have fueled the fire.
Treyarch Insists “Nothing Has Changed”
Following the video, Treyarch reached out directly to Xclusive Ace. The studio stated they are “looking into the matches” from the test. However, they firmly insisted that the matchmaking algorithm has not changed between the Open Beta and the full release.
So, why does the game feel harder? Treyarch attributes this to two specific factors:
- Player Demographics: The player base at launch is different from the Beta.
- Playlist Selections: The available modes vary from the testing period.
According to the studio, these variables are causing the perceived difference in lobby difficulty. Treyarch is expected to release an official statement regarding the situation after the Thanksgiving break.
Update on yesterday’s video regarding matchmaking in Black Ops 7. I’ve been in contact with Treyarch and they’ve been looking into the matches I was testing on my accounts. They’ve reiterated to me that nothing has changed with the matchmaking at all compared to the open…
— Xclusive Ace (@TheXclusiveAce) November 27, 2025
Community Demands Transparency
Despite the developer’s explanation, the community remains sceptical. Call of Duty fans have criticised Activision’s matchmaking approach since the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot. Many players report a “rollercoaster” experience, where the game forces them into difficult lobbies immediately after a few good matches.
Prominent voices in the community are calling for proof. YouTuber PrimitiveAK stated that the community needs access to “raw data” and full transparency. He argued that players have been lied to for years on end with manipulative matchmaking.
Until Activision releases official data, the debate over Black Ops 7’s matchmaking is likely to continue.
