Skill-based Matchmaking (SBMM)

Overview

Skill-based Matchmaking, oftentimes shortened to SBMM, refers to the method of many competitive online video games (most famously Call of Duty) to connect players of similar skill levels for matches. Different games use different metrics to evaluate a player's skill, whether it's their in-match stats or the number of victories they obtain against opponents of varying strength, among other aspects. The system has proven controversial, as some players believe SBMM is an indirect punishment for improving one's skill at a video game, as their only reward is harder matches when they'd prefer to play more casually. Others have felt the backlash is overblown, with many believing the contention stems from streamers complaining they can't make entertaining content beating lower-skill players.

History

While skill-based matchmaking began getting vocally criticized in the mid-2010s, it has been a feature of the Call of Duty franchise since Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which was released on November 5th, 2007.^[1] In 2021, Activision Senior Systems Designer Josh Menke revealed that the system had been in place since then, saying, "[Call of Duty 4] did have some skill-based match-making, all of them always have. It’s just the math and science have gotten better over the years. If you grew up on it back then, your expectations are very different than if you have it now."

Developments

Complaints about skill-based matchmaking began growing more prominent online in the mid-2010s. In 2016, Destiny players suspected the game had secretly added SBMM to its online matchmaking. Developer Bungie^[2] later admitted that was the case. At the time, players suspected the addition after noticing that matches took longer to connect, were overall laggier and were more competitive than they were used to. This is because Bungie switched to SBMM from connection-based matchmaking, a system that pairs online players based on their proximity to each other, ensuring a stronger connection but deprioritizing their comparative skill levels.

In a January 2017 Reddit thread in /r/Infinitewarfare,^[3] two users outlined both sides of the SBMM argument. The original poster, AirSpaceEngineer, stated that he had little time to play Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare due to having family and professional obligations and would prefer to use the time he did have to play the game competing against others of his relatively low skill level. Redditor Froobilicious then replied that they hated SBMM because it forced the player into competitive matches even if they'd prefer to play more casually, made for laggy matches and screwed over parties if players in the party were of different skill levels.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare II and TimTheTatman Controversy

The debate over skill-based matchmaking raged through the late 2010s and early 2020s, reaching a notable fever pitch with the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. In October 2022 before the game came out, noted Call of Duty streamer TimtheTatman stated he would likely not stream the game's multiplayer mode due to SBMM (shown below).

In his video, Tim echoed many of the arguments against SBMM, going so far as to argue the system is "killing video games." The comment reignited the SBMM debate shortly after. Some supported Tim's case. For example, YouTuber TheWarOwl posted a video explaining some of the issues present with skill-based matchmaking, gaining over 323,000 views in two weeks (shown below, top). 100 Thieves co-owner Jack "CouRage" Dunlop added that Call of Duty has no rewards system for improving at the game other than getting placed into more difficult matches, arguing that some sort of external rewards system like a ranking system may improve the opinion of SBMM in some players' minds (shown below, bottom).

My biggest issue with SBMM in Call of Duty multiplayer.

Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/YG9HOCZrje

— Jack “CouRage” Dunlop (@CouRageJD) October 28, 2022

Others were strongly against those complaining about SBMM, believing the negativity was largely being driven by content creators upset that they couldn't do flashy, high-risk high-reward gameplay due to being matched against skilled players. The Gamer^[4] wrote:

What [content creators] are asking for is permission to ruin everyone else's fun by running amok with eight year olds playing their first video game so that they can make their YouTube videos faster. Content creators are a core part of the gaming ecosystem, but we shouldn't let them dominate the conversation around SBMM just because they talk the loudest. Playing with people who are as good as you is a core principle in almost every competitive area of life, and that shouldn't change in Call of Duty so streamers can farm low effort kills.

Similarly, on October 25th, 2022, Twitter user @its_natclayton^[5] tweeted, "the SBMM discourse is so nakedly driven by people who need to farm easier games to fuel the Content Mill and falls apart immediately the second you consider what it's like for the newer players getting stomped on," gaining over 260 retweets and 2,400 likes in three weeks (shown below).

Related Memes

If You Like SBMM In Video Games

If You Like SBMM In Video Games refers to a viral copypasta originating from a tweet in which a streamer opined that skill-based matchmaking should not be present in the casual mode in multiplayer games. In mid-September 2020, the tweet gained significant popularity as a copypasta in the eSports community on Twitter.

On September 18th, skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), already present in Call of Duty: Warzone and previous Call of Duty games since Call of Duty: WWII, was confirmed for the upcoming video game Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. The news of SBMM being present in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War prompted active discussion of the subject in eSports and gaming community, with many players opining that SBMM has no place in casual mode.

On September 18th, 100 Thieves streamer Froste made a tweet in which he spoke negatively of players who prefer skill-based matchmaking. The post received over 500 retweets and 7,700 likes in two days (shown below).

Starting that day, the tweet gained popularity on Twitter as a copypasta, with multiple competitive players and eSports organizations tweeting it. For example, a tweet by FaZe Clan player Pamaj received over 1,100 retweets and 13,300 likes in two days (shown below, left). A tweet by FaZe Clan received over 2,100 retweets and 24,200 likes in the same period. A tweet by Call of Duty News (@charlieINTEL) received over 3,700 retweets and 32,300 likes in the same period (shown below, left).

Search Interest

External References