Upon the release of Black Ops 7, players quickly noticed the matchmaking felt much tougher than in the beta, with some accusing the game of introducing stricter skill-based matchmaking (SBMM). However, Treyarch has confirmed that no changes were made between the beta and the full release, despite players feeling the lobbies are sweatier than before. For those not interested in the grind, it’s easy to buy a shortcut to CoD BO7 Bot Lobby services.

During the beta phase, Black Ops 7 featured an "open matchmaking" system, where SBMM was kept to a minimum, with the primary focus being connection priority. The beta’s player base consisted mainly of casual players due to the free access period, resulting in a more relaxed matchmaking experience. However, with the full launch of the game, the player demographics shifted. Competitive grinders, who were eager to chase camos, ranks, and levels, joined in, making the lobbies feel much tougher and skill-based matchmaking more noticeable.

Treyarch responded to these concerns after YouTuber Xclusive Ace tested several matches and found that the opponents were of higher skill than those encountered in the beta. In an official response, Treyarch reiterated that "nothing has changed" from the beta to the live version of the game. They explained that the perceived difficulty was due to fuller playlists and a more dedicated player base, rather than any hidden changes to the matchmaking system. Treyarch also noted that an official statement would be released after Thanksgiving to further clarify the situation.

Despite the official response, community rumors continue to swirl, with some players speculating that an End-of-Matchmaking Month (EOMM) system may be manipulating win rates or that strict matchmaking rating (MMR) systems are still in place. Content creators like Charlie INTEL have echoed Treyarch’s stance, attributing the tougher lobbies to a shift in playlist variety rather than SBMM. However, many players remain skeptical and demand raw data transparency from Activision to back up these claims.

For now, Black Ops 7’s open playlists continue to prioritize ping over strict skill-based matchmaking, offering a more casual experience, while "Standard" playlists keep balanced opponents for ranked play. Players can reduce the “sweaty” feeling by focusing on grinding challenges in casual modes during Season 1. While rumors about SBMM persist, Treyarch maintains that the matchmaking freedom players enjoyed during the beta remains intact, despite the growing player pool.

In conclusion, Black Ops 7 players may feel that the game has become more difficult post-launch, but Treyarch assures that no changes to the matchmaking system have been made. The perceived difficulty is likely due to the shift in player demographics, and the devs are standing firm on their commitment to keeping matchmaking as it was in the beta.