Increasing Quit Rates Among Black Ops 6 Players Due to SBMM Issues

Players of Black Ops 6 are increasingly abandoning matches, frustrated by the challenges posed by skill-based matchmaking (SBMM). This rising trend has even prompted members of the gaming community to advocate for quitting as a viable option when faced with tough lobbies.

Understanding Skill-Based Matchmaking

Skill-based matchmaking, also known as engagement-optimized matchmaking (EOMM), is a crucial feature in the Call of Duty franchise, designed to match players based on their skill levels. Although this system has been present in various forms throughout the series, it intensified significantly starting with Modern Warfare (2019).

The Current Player Sentiment

Five years later, the gaming community appears to be weary of SBMM. Many players are opting to leave games when they encounter overwhelming difficulty, rather than enduring frustrating experiences. This sentiment is evident in a post on r/BlackOps6, which received over 1,000 upvotes and suggested, “If EOMM decided it’s your turn to suffer, just leave every single lobby until you find that one. Don’t play Activision sweaty games. Just quit.”

Friendly monthly reminder – Just quit games. by u/sw3ar in blackops6

Community Reactions

This post resonated with many players, as shown by a popular reply stating, “My experience significantly improved once I started leaving games once I detected it was one of those.” Another user echoed the sentiment, remarking, “I think we can all agree that you should quit anything even remotely challenging.”

However, not all responses are in favor of this strategy. Some critics labeled it as “pathetic attitude” and detrimental to teammates, while others expressed their preference to tackle challenges head-on, highlighting the divide within the community regarding SBMM.

Future of SBMM in Call of Duty

For players hoping that SBMM might be softened or eliminated, current indicators suggest that such changes are unlikely to materialize in the immediate future. Activision has made it clear that their matchmaking system prioritizes connection stability and match time above all else.

An infographic detailing the matchmaking process in Call of Duty multiplayer. — Activision

In July 2024, Activision released a comprehensive analysis of the matchmaking dynamics in Call of Duty, following hidden tests in Modern Warfare 3 that temporarily disabled SBMM. The findings revealed that “80-90% of players experience better end-of-match placement, stick with the game longer, and quit matches less frequently” when skill-based systems are in place. Essentially, SBMM is shown to enhance player retention and overall performance.

Despite these conclusions, the discontent among players is becoming increasingly vocal and tangible, signaling that a need for change may be on the horizon. Given the recent player exodus, with peak counts plummeting to 92,348 on Steam as of December 24, the urgency for Activision to respond to community concerns is more pronounced than ever.

While the Double XP weekend saw a temporary rise to 118,848 players, this figure is a stark contrast to nearly 200,000 concurrent players reported just a month earlier and well below the early November peak of 314,334.

Source & Images