Warzone removes SBMM as Open Matchmaking arrives in Season 1

Call of Duty: Warzone is taking an interesting page out of Black Ops 7’s playbook by removing the hotly debated Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) system and shifting to Open Matchmaking for Season 1.

In a Dev Talk released on X (formerly Twitter) today, Raven Software Game Director Pete Actipis confirmed the new matchmaking feature is set to arrive alongside the BO7 integration in Season 1 on Dec. 4. This marks one of the biggest gameplay updates that Activision’s battle royale title has seen in recent years.

Unlike SBMM, which traditionally matched CoD players with others close to their performance level, Open Matchmaking minimally considers player skill level, resulting in far more randomized lobbies. The aim here is to avoid the difficulty spikes that players often felt after performing well in a match.

This approach has already been a talking point in BO7, where many fans have praised the less sweaty lobbies. The change has sparked interest around game pacing and the overall feel of Multiplayer, which many argued had become too intense in BO6 and previous titles with SBMM. Warzone players are now cautiously optimistic that the same improvements will carry over to battle royale.

Players split on Warzone Open Matchmaking

Reaction to the news has been mixed, with some players celebrating the shift and others questioning how noticeable the change will truly be.

Some expressed excitement about a potential meta that feels less punishing and more welcoming to casual and new players. One X user praised the decision, writing: “Open Matchmaking coming to Warzone is a big deal and it’s shocking you guys didn’t do a big thing about it. Genuine game changer. Thank you.”

However, others argue that the version of Open Matchmaking seen in BO7 does not behave as advertised, claiming that lobbies still feel skill-influenced. As another X user noted: “They’re lying about matchmaking. It says ‘open,’ which means it’s supposed to be nothing like SBMM and not even remotely consider skill. If that were the case, the search would be based on ping. But as always, they’re going to lie.”

Concerns like these come from years of frustration surrounding transparency in matchmaking systems, and Warzone players are now waiting to see whether Open Matchmaking delivers a meaningful difference. With only a week until launch, we’ll soon find out whether the new feature becomes a breath of fresh air or simply a lighter rebranding of the existing system.

More Warzone changes in Season 1

Beyond matchmaking, Pete Actipis shared several other notable changes arriving in Warzone Season 1. Player counts across all modes are increasing on Haven’s Hollow, the new Resurgence map, which has also undergone layout improvements since the beta to enhance combat flow. The Warzone meta is also expected to shift as the devs rework attachments and focus on ensuring BO7 weapons integrate smoothly into BR.

Several perk adjustments are on the way, including an adjustment for Survivor that protects players from one-shot headshots, which could impact sniper dynamics. Raven is also aligning Warzone’s aim-assist behavior with Treyarch’s updated system in BO7 for consistency across both titles. New limited-time modes are planned throughout the season, and Rebirth Island is receiving some geo changes to open up new rotations and combat situations.

If you also want to know the changes coming to Mutliplayer and Zombies, check out our detailed breakdown of the BO7 Season 1 roadmap.