NBA Superstars Express Frustration Over Black Ops 6 Skill-Based Matchmaking

Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) has ignited heated debates within the community of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, as its impact reaches players of all calibers, including high-profile NBA athletes.

In January 2024, Activision provided an in-depth explanation of the SBMM system used in its popular franchise. According to their blog, factors like kills, deaths, wins, and losses are determinants for player lobby placements, a method in use since the launch of Call of Duty 4 in 2007.

During the testing phase of Modern Warfare 3, Activision reported that “players with a wider skill gap were more likely to quit matches in progress and did not return to the game at a higher rate than players with unchanged matchmaking.” This reveals an ongoing effort to fine-tune the matchmaking process.

Despite ongoing criticism, Activision has no intention of dismantling the SBMM system. They believe it is essential to prevent players from enduring lopsided matches. However, proficient gamers claim that the system penalizes them by consistently pitting them against more challenging opponents as their performance improves.

Donovan Mitchell: A Voice Against SBMM in BO6

NBA player Donovan Mitchell says he’s been playing a lot of Call of Duty, but struggling with how hard the lobbies are “It’s been rough. I genuinely try to get better, which makes me even more upset. I’m still terrible. I reached out to Call of Duty, like, ‘Hey, put me in the… pic.twitter.com/f2Dvn815tG

— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) December 20, 2024

At a press conference on December 19, Mitchell humorously addressed his raspy voice, attributing it to endless gaming sessions of Call of Duty where he found himself screaming at fellow players.

On the court, Mitchell is thriving, averaging over 23 points per game and leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a remarkable 23-4 record in the Eastern Conference. In stark contrast, his experience in Black Ops 6 leaves much to be desired.

“It’s been rough. I genuinely try to get better, which makes me even more upset. I’m still terrible,” he expressed. “I reached out to Call of Duty, like, ‘Hey, put me in the trash lobbies, that’s where I belong.’ We’ll see what happens.”

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