Call of Duty: Warzone to Adopt Open Matchmaking System in Season 1
Raven Software has confirmed that Call of Duty: Warzone will transition to a traditional open matchmaking system, following the approach recently implemented in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. This significant change will take effect with Warzone’s Season 1 update, scheduled to launch on Thursday, December 4. Players can anticipate new content, gameplay adjustments, quality-of-life enhancements, and additional features alongside this matchmaking overhaul.
The End of Strict Skill-Based Matchmaking
For the past six years, Call of Duty’s multiplayer modes have relied on skill-based matchmaking. This system was first introduced in the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot and remained in every subsequent mainline release until Black Ops 7. Rather than prioritizing connection quality and ping, the system matched players based on their skill levels to prevent casual gamers from being dominated by highly competitive players in every match. While the concept appeared sound in theory, it had notable drawbacks, prompting Treyarch to revert to open matchmaking for Black Ops 7, with Warzone now following this decision.
What Open Matchmaking Means for Players
During a recent developer discussion, the Game Director at Raven Software confirmed that open matchmaking will arrive in Warzone with Season 1. The announcement was brief but significant, as players have been wondering whether Warzone would adopt the same approach ever since Black Ops 7 made the switch during its beta phase.
Open matchmaking still considers skill, but only minimally. When players enter any Warzone mode—whether Resurgence, Battle Royale, or limited-time events—the system will prioritize connection quality and ping over skill level. This should result in faster queue times, though it means lobby skill levels will vary considerably. Unlike skill-based matchmaking, which ensures relatively balanced matches, open matchmaking creates completely random skill distributions in each game.
Community Response and Developer Reasoning
Raven Software hasn’t explicitly stated why they’re making this change, but it likely stems from the overwhelmingly positive reception the Call of Duty community gave to Black Ops 7’s reduced skill-based matchmaking. Previously, Activision maintained that skill-based matchmaking was crucial for maintaining long-term player engagement, matchmaking health, and overall fairness.
The publisher had cited data showing that 80-90% of players experienced better match outcomes, played longer, and quit matches less frequently with skill-based matchmaking enabled. However, many players complained that after performing well in several matches, the system would place them against extremely competitive opponents in subsequent games, creating frustrating experiences.
Despite Activision’s longstanding commitment to skill-based matchmaking, the community has celebrated the recent changes to Call of Duty’s matchmaking approach. The reaction to Warzone’s Season 1 adjustment mirrors the enthusiasm that greeted Black Ops 7’s announcement. Players have expressed excitement about the upcoming changes, with many anticipating a more enjoyable gaming experience ahead.
