Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Apex Legends character Mirage holding Bangalore at gun point.
Screenshot by Dot Esports via Apex Legends on YouTube

‘This will be its downfall’: Apex fans warn game must copy CoD’s stance on SBMM or die

The people have spoken.

Apex Legends‘ matchmaking has recently come under fire once more, with fans taking to Reddit to warn the developers to adopt Call of Duty’s matchmaking system or risk the game’s demise if ignored.

Recommended Videos

A July 30 Reddit thread ignited a discussion among Apex players about the game’s Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) system. The original post included a screenshot of Activision’s official paper on Call of Duty’s matchmaking challenges, suggesting that Apex might be encountering the same issue—a player base skewed towards higher skill levels. “Some of us enjoy the game but have no way to continue playing without getting matched with the best of the best, which ruins it,” was a claim echoed throughout the thread.

Screenshot of Apex Legends character Alter grabbing someone by their face in the Alter|Based on a True Story Trailer
Swift fixes, please. Screenshot by Dot Esports via Apex Legends on YouTube

This understandably frustrates casual players and detracts from the experience. The Activision paper on the issue highlights the importance of prioritizing the player experience first: “Players of all levels should have a fun and competitive experience with the game.” It also explains how tracking and balancing player skill in SBMM helps Call of Duty retain players, something that fans of Apex would love to see in their game.

The discussion then shifted to how Fortnite tackles the issue—by introducing casual game modes. “In order to keep players for long periods of time, you have to incentivize them to return,” one user noted, explaining how important it is for there to be casual modes where players can grind out their battle passes.

Players also complained about how Apex lacks exciting new content. One user praised how, in Fortnite, it feels like there’s something new every time you play, unlike Apex: “Apex has felt stale for years now, something changes and it’s boring by the next game. I can’t really explain why but it just feels, meh.”

We can only hope Respawn Entertainment does something to allay these issues. The people have spoken, and there’s no way out of the woods until the developer fixes the game’s biggest problems.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Chris Angelo
Chris Angelo
Chris is a freelance writer for Dot Esports and an avid gamer with a passion for competitive shooters. His love for games began at a young age with his first console, and ever since, he's been hooked. Now, Chris enjoys sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for the industry, hoping to ignite the same spark in others. When he's not writing, you can find him racking up hours in games like Valorant, CS2, and Apex Legends.