If you’ve recently jumped back into the Call of Duty fray only to find yourself constantly on the losing end, you’re not alone. Many players are echoing your frustration, citing an unbalanced matchmaking system that seems to pair them with less-than-stellar teammates.
This disparity in team composition can make it feel like an uphill battle from the get-go, leaving many players disheartened and ready to throw in the towel after just a few matches. It’s a sentiment that’s echoed by many players who feel like they’re constantly fighting an uphill battle due to poor team balance.
Players Continue to Call out “Horrid Matchmaking” in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3
Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) is a hot topic among players, with many feeling that it makes games overly competitive and takes away from the fun of casual play. One player, who goes by the handle u/Hudge_Baby on Reddit’s r/ModernWarfareIII, recently vented their frustration. The user stated:
I came back after not playing for a month or so, and I’m not kidding I’ve maybe won 5% of my matches. I exclusively play hardpoint, and every single match I get the absolute worst teammates possible. And without fail, the enemy team will have 3-4 players that are so obviously better than my teammates it’s comical. The team balancing is just nonexistent.
This sentiment is shared by many in the community, with some attributing the current state of matchmaking to the start of a new season, which tends to bring out the sweatiest of players. Others point to the recent free weekend as a possible cause for the influx of skilled opponents, making it even more challenging for returning players to find their footing.
Is The Issue Just Skill-Based Matchmaking?
But it’s not just about facing tougher opponents. Many players are also frustrated by what they perceive as poor team balancing, with matches often feeling like one-sided affairs where one team dominates while the other struggles to keep up. This can be especially frustrating for those who prefer objective-based modes, as winning often hinges on the collective effort of the team rather than individual skill.
The issue of skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) has long been a point of contention within the Call of Duty community. While developers have defended its inclusion as a means of ensuring fair and balanced matches, many players argue that it leads to overly competitive lobbies and takes away from the casual fun of the game.
This has prompted some to call for the removal of SBMM altogether, though it remains a divisive topic among players. With the recent release of XDefiant and it’s success, players might be compelled to hop games should the situation not improve.
The Development Team’s Plans for Matchmaking
In response to these concerns, the Call of Duty development team has pledged to be more transparent about the matchmaking process. In a recent blog post, developers explained that matchmaking takes into account several factors, including connection, time to match, playlist diversity, and skill. While skill is a component of the matchmaking criteria, they emphasized that it is not the dominant variable, with connection being the most critical factor.
Despite these assurances, many players remain dissatisfied with the current state of matchmaking. Some feel that the system is too focused on individual performance, leading to imbalanced matches where one player can carry an entire team to victory. Others believe that the lack of variety in lobbies makes the game feel repetitive and stale.
Despite acknowledging the community’s concerns, Activision has no plans to remove SBMM or offer an opt-out feature. Instead, they promise to explore alternative solutions to strike a balance between fair competition and enjoyable gameplay. But for players stuck in lopsided matches, these assurances offer little help.
