Black Ops 7 may not reinvent Call of Duty, but two major changes have given the multiplayer a fresh pulse: lighter skill-based matchmaking and the return of persistent lobbies. These decisions might be the smartest moves the franchise has made in years.

For several entries, Call of Duty has relied on strict SBMM that groups players by skill, creating games that are extremely balanced but often repetitive. Every match starts to feel identical, and the sweaty, high-pressure pacing can burn players out quickly.

Black Ops 7’s “minimal SBMM” playlists offer something the series has been missing: variety. Matches feel more unpredictable and relaxed, with a healthier mix of casual players, objective-focused teammates, and fewer hyper-sweaty slide-canceling meta chasers. This shift brings back the chaotic, fun, low-pressure style that defined classic COD lobbies.

The return of persistent lobbies amplifies that effect. Keeping players together for multiple matches recreates the social atmosphere many fans grew up with. Teams develop chemistry, rivalries form naturally, and familiar names start popping up each game. It feels more like a community again, not a rotating list of strangers.

If a lobby isn’t enjoyable, players can simply find a new one. Otherwise, the continuity makes matches more memorable and less robotic.

Together, these two features bring back something Call of Duty has been missing for years: heart. While Black Ops 7 still carries many of the series' usual problems, the shift toward lighter matchmaking and returning social features is undeniably a step in the right direction. It is a move that makes the game feel more human, more fun, and far more replayable.