What Is Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM)?
Skill-Based Matchmaking, often abbreviated as SBMM, refers to a system used in online multiplayer games that pairs players with others of similar skill levels. These matchmaking algorithms assess performance data such as win rates, kill/death ratios, or in-game rankings to create more balanced gameplay experiences.
The Goal Behind SBMM
- Create competitive equity between players
- Offer newcomers a fair chance to enjoy the game
- Limit mismatched games where high-skill players dominate
SBMM systems are commonly found in both casual and ranked game modes, particularly in shooters and battle royale titles. The intention is to make matches tighter and more rewarding based on your performance history.
Why SBMM Divides Communities
While the purpose behind SBMM seems logical, its real-world execution has divided players and developers. Some applaud the system as a step toward fairness, while others feel it undermines the spirit of casual play.
Arguments in Favor
- Provides a more level playing field
- Reduces frustration from mismatched skill levels
- Encourages steady skill progression
Arguments Against
- Makes casual play feel overly competitive
- Discourages experimentation and fun loadouts
- Leads some players to manipulate stats (also known as “reverse boosting”) to get easier matches
The debate becomes even more intense in games that blend ranked and unranked matchmaking systems without clearly separating them.
The Core Tension: Fairness vs Fun
The heart of the SBMM dilemma comes down to one central issue: should every game feel like a tournament, or is there room for more relaxed, unpredictable fun?
Fairness
- Predictable match balance
- Encourages improvement and learning
- Less chance of getting steamrolled or doing the steamrolling
Fun
- More variety in skill levels brings spontaneity
- Allows players to experiment or play with friends of varying skills
- Less pressure, more playfulness
Developers continue to grapple with this balance. Too much fairness can restrict freedom; too little structure can ruin the experience for new or average players. The challenge going into 2024 is designing matchmaking systems that honor both competition and creativity.
Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) isn’t magic. It’s math. And while every game treats it a little differently, there are common threads behind the scenes. Most systems lean on performance metrics—kill/death ratio, win rate, total damage per match, accuracy, and movement patterns. Some even factor in things like recent match momentum or teammate synergy. It’s not just about whether you win. It’s how you play.
Different games build their SBMM tech their own way. Call of Duty uses dynamic SBMM pools that adjust per session. Apex Legends and Fortnite factor in progression and match placement. Overwatch 2 has role-based systems that calculate MMRs per hero class. Some titles weigh recent matches more heavily to keep things fresh, while others use multi-season averages for stability.
Casual and ranked play are split for a reason. In casual queues, systems are looser by design—it’s about balance, not precision. You’ll still be matched with similar players, but the rules have more give. Ranked play, on the other hand, is brutal. Every move feeds into your hidden or visible ranking system. No forgiveness, just stats. If you’re climbing, you earned it. And if not? The SBMM sees that, too.
Casual players are getting vocal: sweaty lobbies are turning what should be a chill session into a stress test. They log on to unwind, but find themselves facing opponents who play like there’s a trophy on the line. Suddenly, every match demands laser focus, perfect timing, and deep map knowledge. That’s not what a Tuesday night hangout was supposed to feel like.
On the flip side, competitive players argue that matchmaking should be fair. They want tight games, where skill matters and smarts win matches. For them, balanced lobbies keep things honest. If someone’s getting stomped, maybe they shouldn’t be in that bracket to begin with.
The result? Most sessions feel more intense. Even casual players are optimizing loadouts, watching meta breakdowns, and trying to keep up. Vibes are shifting. Less goofing around with random builds, more sweat-level focus from the first round. What used to be downtime is now high-stakes by default. It’s not just game skill that’s evolving — it’s the expectation of how everyone shows up to play.
Game developers in 2024 are walking a tightrope. On one side: engagement and retention. On the other: monetization and new-user onboarding. It’s no longer just about making a fun game. It’s about making sure that new players stick long enough to get invested, returning players always have something to chase, and all of that happens without making the experience feel manipulative.
A big piece of this puzzle is Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM). Whether you love it or hate it, it keeps players within a comfort zone where every game feels competitive but not punishing. The goal? Minimize blowouts and keep players in the loop, logging in for one more match. SBMM is quietly doing the work of retention behind the scenes.
But here’s where it gets tricky. Matchmaking isn’t just about fairness; it plays directly into monetization. Frustrated players don’t spend. Players who feel like they’re improving, or just one win away from a reward, do. It’s a balance of psychology and data. The better developers get at matchmaking, the more predictable their in-game economies become.
Explore more on this connection in-depth here.
What the Data Says: Player Retention vs. Frustration
Understanding the Balance
Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) is designed to keep players engaged by pairing them with opponents of similar skill. But analytics show a complicated reality—SBMM can boost retention for some, while increasing frustration for others.
- Higher retention comes from fair competition, where players feel challenged but not overwhelmed
- Increased frustration often stems from overly tight matchmaking, making every round feel like a high-stakes tournament
- Casual players may burn out if matches are consistently intense
Case Studies: Popular Games, Different Outcomes
Different games have seen varied results with SBMM, revealing that one-size-fits-all approaches rarely work.
Call of Duty
- Known for aggressive SBMM implementations
- Data shows improved short-term engagement
- However, some players report session fatigue and difficulty relaxing during gameplay
Fortnite
- Uses a blended approach: SBMM in early matches, loosening as players progress
- Retains new players effectively
- Competitive players have mixed feedback on matchmaking consistency
Apex Legends
- Dynamic matchmaking tied to performance over time rather than just win/loss
- Increased retention for mid-tier players
- Ongoing debate among high-rank players about fairness and enjoyment
Why SBMM Needs Custom Formulas
Each game’s mechanics, pacing, and player base shape how SBMM should function. A formula that works for a tactical shooter may not fit a fast-paced battle royale.
- Game genre influences acceptable skill gaps
- Player expectations vary across communities (casual vs. ranked, competitive vs. social)
- Customization is key: Developers need flexibility to revise SBMM over time
In short, smart SBMM adapts to the identity of the game, not just the numbers on a dashboard.
Balancing structure and spontaneity has always been tricky in gaming, and vlogging is starting to reflect that tension. On the plus side, more structured formats and scheduled drops level the playing field. Creators who show up consistently and put in the work are rewarded more fairly, making the environment more competitive and less luck-driven.
The catch? That same structure limits the freedom to just fire up the camera and let loose. Casual, off-the-cuff sessions—the kind that once sparked unexpected virality—don’t perform as well under increasingly optimized algorithm systems.
On the bright side, long-term engagement benefits. Vloggers who build reliable content calendars build stronger relationships with their audiences. Viewers know when to come back, and loyalty forms.
But there’s a cost. That constant pressure to perform on schedule can drain creators. The burnout risk is real. Staying human in a system that demands machine-like output is the new challenge.
Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) is no longer a one-size-fits-all setup. Hybrid models are taking over, especially across competitive and casual game modes. Developers are loosening the reins in casual queues—less strict matchmaking lets players explore, experiment, or just unwind without every match feeling like a ranked brawl. On the flip side, ranked modes are getting tighter and more deliberate, with skill brackets focused on fairness and true competitive intensity.
Queue separation is also improving player control. You want sweaty try-hards? Go ranked. Prefer lightweight fun with friends? Casual’s got you. This kind of segmentation gives players room to decide how serious they want to get—match by match.
Behind the scenes, hidden MMR systems are getting smarter. Some games are experimenting with performance-weighted changes, where your contribution matters more than just the win. Others are testing MMR ‘decay’ over time or using rolling averages to tweak matchmaking accuracy. The goal is simple: more balanced games that still feel spontaneous. It’s not perfect yet, but things are heading in the right direction.
Player Control, Transparency, and Redefining Fun
Game developers are rethinking what fun looks like in 2024. Tapping, grinding, chasing dopamine via flash and flare—it’s all still there, but players want more control over how and why things happen. Vlog-style creators are documenting this shift: walking through decision-based RPGs, narrating gameplay that adapts to their values or moods, and calling out when the system feels rigged.
Transparency is the new cheat code. When players understand how progression, matchmaking, or loot actually works, they’re more likely to stick around—and vlog about it. Developers are catching on. Some game studios are starting to expose parts of the algorithm to players, either through settings, difficulty sliders, or real-time feedback about choices.
Future titles may evolve this even further. Think sandbox systems that shape outcomes based on how you play or hybrid models where the player tunes game logic as they go. It won’t always be perfect. No design will please everyone. But as developers open the hood, vloggers are in a prime spot to break it down, critique it, and create better conversations around what fun really means now.