Twitter Debates Usefulness of Skill-based Matchmaking After TimTheTatman Says He Won't Play People Of His Skill Level In 'Modern Warfare II'

Gamers of social media have entered the equivalent of a Greek forum (see: Twitter) to debate the merits of skill-based matchmaking in online games after noted Call of Duty streamer TimTheTatman said it was unlikely he'd play multiplayer on Modern Warfare II due to it having skill-based matchmaking.

TimTheTatman shared that there's a low chance that he'll stream MW2 multiplayer.

The reason: Skill-Based Matchmaking pic.twitter.com/Rw5997SmQ6

— Full Squad Gaming (@fullsquadgaming) October 24, 2022

Skill-based matchmaking, known in the community as SBMM, refers to the system some online multiplayer games employ to ensure that two players of roughly the same skill play against each other. Hypothetically, this ensures that new players won't get paired with seasoned vets and inevitably stomped over and over until they lose interest in the game. For higher-skill players, it ensures they always have a competitive, challenging match.

However, not everyone is a fan of the idea. In Tim's video, he explains that he thinks SBMM is "killing video games." Though Tim is good at Call of Duty, he doesn't want to get matched against what he calls "gigasweats" (i.e. people who try extremely hard to be good at the game) and would rather be able to play more casually.

SBMM has long been a contentious topic in the Call of Duty scene, but not everyone agrees with the hate the concept seems to get from prominent figures in the community. Some feel the distaste of SBMM comes largely from streamers who want to be able to showcase incredible gameplay by stomping newer players, which is obviously not the experience a notable portion of players will want out of the video game.

I feel like the whole SBMM debate is done mostly by streamers that just want to pubstomp on a casual playlist. For the majority of players not streaming/farming clips SBMM keeps the game fair for most people and on equal footing.

I could be wrong but I don’t get this debate. https://t.co/y6CznhFJ75

— Mutahar (@OrdinaryGamers) October 26, 2022

call of duty streamers getting mad about SBMM is inarguably the funniest gaming discourse. beautiful content every time. grown men furious that as they get stronger they must fight stronger opponents. listen to yourselves man. what would goku think

— yuuko from nichijou (@headfallsoff) October 25, 2022

People who don’t like SBMM just don’t want to find out how skilled they actually are.

And for any streamers mad that it ruins their epic kill streaks, consider this: if you can’t be entertaining while you’re losing, you’re not actually that entertaining.

— FGC_Dads | Toast Rider 💀 ENVtuber (@tz_toast_rider) October 25, 2022

While a sizable portion of those weighing in on the debate found those complaining about SBMM to be whiners, others agreed that SBMM has frustrating flaws.

I don't know how anyone defends SBMM in COD. A system that punishes you for improving with no reward or public ranking system lmao this is what you support??? 😂🤡😂🤡🤣

— Thunder – Use Code "THUNDER" 10-30% Off GFUEL (@RealThunder402) October 25, 2022

Tim is 💯 correct.
However SBMM issue was solved in Halo over a decade ago.

Two playlist

1. Ranked with SBMM
2. Social Slayer ( no SBMM ) https://t.co/MJrMz1QdyW

— KEEM 🍿 (@KEEMSTAR) October 26, 2022

SBMM is the reason my IRL friends don't want to play with me. They don't have any fun. It's a shame. Gone are the days of unwinding after a long day and casually having fun in an FPS. Skilled doesn't always mean sweaty. Nearly 20 years of casually fragging is now a punishment 🙃 https://t.co/KhBU1HTwuV

— McBango (@McBangoFPS) October 25, 2022

One commenter cut right to the heart of the issue and said what gamers not deep in the first-person-shooter subculture were thinking.

SBMM to normal people: skill based matchmaking

SBMM to me: Super Bmash Mrothers Melee

— Gyromight #SeventhPort (@SSBGyromight) October 25, 2022

While the viral debate over SBMM rages, it seems clear that CoD players will have to learn to live with it if they want to continue playing. The system has been in place for multiple CoD releases and developers likely have no reason to ditch the system.