Twitter Debates Usefulness of Skill-based Matchmaking After Streamer TimTheTatman Says He Won't Play People Of His Skill Level In 'Modern Warfare II'

October 26th, 2022 - 2:59 PM EDT by Adam Downer

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timthetatman skill based matchmaking

Gamers of social media have entered the equivalent of a Greek forum (see: Twitter) to debate the merits of skill-based matchmaking in online games after noted Call of Duty streamer TimTheTatman said it was unlikely he'd play multiplayer on Modern Warfare II due to it having skill-based matchmaking.


Skill-based matchmaking, known in the community as SBMM, refers to the system some online multiplayer games employ to ensure that two players of roughly the same skill play against each other. Hypothetically, this ensures that new players won't get paired with seasoned vets and inevitably stomped over and over until they lose interest in the game. For higher-skill players, it ensures they always have a competitive, challenging match.

However, not everyone is a fan of the idea. In Tim's video, he explains that he thinks SBMM is "killing video games." Though Tim is good at Call of Duty, he doesn't want to get matched against what he calls "gigasweats" (i.e. people who try extremely hard to be good at the game) and would rather be able to play more casually.

SBMM has long been a contentious topic in the Call of Duty scene, but not everyone agrees with the hate the concept seems to get from prominent figures in the community. Some feel the distaste of SBMM comes largely from streamers who want to be able to showcase incredible gameplay by stomping newer players, which is obviously not the experience a notable portion of players will want out of the video game.


While a sizable portion of those weighing in on the debate found those complaining about SBMM to be whiners, others agreed that SBMM has frustrating flaws.


One commenter cut right to the heart of the issue and said what gamers not deep in the first-person-shooter subculture were thinking.


While the viral debate over SBMM rages, it seems clear that CoD players will have to learn to live with it if they want to continue playing. The system has been in place for multiple CoD releases and developers likely have no reason to ditch the system.


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hipnox
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hipnox

The irony and hypocrisy of these people always makes me laugh.

You don't want to get dunked on by "sweaty" players but are perfectly fine with newcomers getting dunked on by veteran players?

If you want a casual experience go play a PvE game. Otherwise git gud

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