🚨 BREAKING MATCHMAKING INFO SHARED BY ACTIVISION 🚨
Call of Duty has released a list of answers to frequently asked questions about multiplayer matchmaking from the COD community.
Q: Does Call of Duty consider player engagement (time played) as a factor in matchmaking?
A: We do not consider how often, or how much, you play when determining matchmaking.
Q: Does the Call of Duty matchmaking process impact any in-game elements such as hit registration, player visibility, aim assist, damage, etc.?
A: No. Our matchmaking process does not impact gameplay elements.
Q: Does spending money on Call of Duty content (such as bundles, Battle Pass, or BlackCell) change how players are matched?
A: Money spent does not in any way, shape or form, factor into matchmaking.
Q: Does Call of Duty use bots in Multiplayer matchmaking?
A: Call of Duty Multiplayer does not use bots as part of the general matchmaking process. If this changes in the future, we will inform the community.
Q: Do partners or content creators get special consideration in general matchmaking?
A: No. We do not change the matchmaking process based on who owns the account. In specific cases, such as for events like Call of Duty Next, we may be required to customize how lobbies are formed; however, these events usually take place in private matches and do not impact general matchmaking.
Q: Have you ever considered an opt-in/opt-out system for the matchmaking algorithm?
A: Our data suggests that splitting the player base with an opt-in / opt-out matchmaking system will have negative consequences on the overall player pool. That means, potentially, longer wait times based on the type of matchmaking selected (plus add into that playlist, map and mode history, platform, and more) and matches with poor connections.
Q: Have you ever tested removing skill as a consideration from matchmaking?
A: We have run tests over the years to determine if removing skill as a consideration from matchmaking makes sense. We will continue to launch these tests periodically. To date, the data remains consistent with what we detailed above – players tend to quit matches or stop playing if they’re getting blown out, resulting in a negative overall experience for all players in the lobby and the general player population. We purposefully do not disclose when these tests occur because it may impact feedback or the data we see during these tests.
A: Have you considered removing skill from matchmaking in specific general multiplayer game modes?
A: We have considered this in the past and we will continue to examine if this idea makes sense as part of an experimental playlist or in specific modes. We have nothing to announce on that front today.
David Vonderhaar has officially left his role as Studio Design Director at Treyarch. The genius behind the entire Black Ops series and some of the best multiplayer experiences of the past two decades. A true legend.