Black Ops 7 Ditches Strict SBMM at Launch — “Open Matchmaking” Becomes the Default

Treyarch says Black Ops 7 multiplayer will launch with Open Matchmaking—connection-first and minimal skill consideration—plus persistent (non-disbanding) lobbies. Ranked details aren’t fully outlined yet, but the everyday public playlists won’t use the sweaty, strict SBMM we’ve seen in recent CoDs. 

What Treyarch Actually Confirmed

In a new post, Treyarch addressed the beta’s biggest question: how matchmaking will work at launch. Their answer:

“At launch, Open Matchmaking with minimal skill consideration will be the default for Black Ops 7 Multiplayer. Simply put, imagine the matchmaking experience of Open Moshpit from the Beta, but as the standard in Black Ops 7 on day one.” 

Alongside that, Treyarch confirmed persistent lobbies are back—so your party can roll match-to-match without the automatic disbands that have frustrated players for years. 

Why This Is a Big Deal

• Community pressure works. The beta’s “Open Moshpit” (reduced skill consideration) was widely praised by players and pros, and the follow-up announcement locks that experience in for launch. 

• Media confirmation is broad. Multiple outlets reported the same change, framing it as a significant retreat from strict SBMM in public playlists. 

What It Means in Practice

• Public playlists (TDM, Hardpoint, SnD, etc.) will prioritize ping/connection and lobby speed, with light skill checks at most. Expect more mixed-skill lobbies, streakier sessions, and a vibe closer to classic CoD. 

• Persistent lobbies mean social stickiness—rivalries, rematches, and less time in menus. 

• Beta context: Treyarch briefly re-enabled SBMM in a SnD playlist “to get solid feedback,” which reignited the debate—useful context for readers on how we got here. 

Will Ranked Still Use SBMM?

Treyarch hasn’t published full Ranked specifics in the same post. Historically, Ranked/League uses strict skill/ladder systems even when pubs are relaxed, so expect skill-based systems in Ranked while pubs remain “open” by default at launch (inference based on series norms; Treyarch’s blog only covers pubs explicitly). 

Release Date and Platforms

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launches November 14, 2025 across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC (day-one with Game Pass on Xbox/PC). 

The Trade-Offs

Removing strict SBMM from public matchmaking trades consistency for variety:

• Pros: Faster queues, better ping, more casual “nightly chill” sessions, and persistent lobbies that build social friction/fun. 

• Cons: New/casual players may get tougher lobbies more often; highly skilled players may stomp some lobbies and get stomped in others—aka classic CoD variance. (This is exactly what the community asked for, but it’s worth stating plainly.)