More than 90% of Call of Duty players play less when skill-based matchmaking is removed, according to a new study released by Activision.
In a recently published white paper, the publisher investigated how skill-based matchmaking affects its player base. This form of matchmaking looks at how a player's skill is defined so that they can be matched with similar players during a game.
The publisher ran a test in early 2024 on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, in which 50% of players experienced a decrease in skill-based matchmaking.
As a result, the rate of returning players decreased for 90% of players, while the churn rate increased by 80%.
Although only the top 10% of skilled players returned, Activision found that significantly fewer players did the same, which shrank the player pool and led to unfair matches.
“Ultimately, this will result in a worse experience for all players as there will be fewer and fewer players available to play with,” he said.
“Furthermore, this test only de-emphasized skill in the matchmaking rules. If it were removed entirely, we would expect to see the player population rapidly erode over the span of a few months, resulting in a negative outcome for all of our players.”
Activision said that by using a skill-based matchmaking system, “80-90% of players are placing higher at the end of the match, staying in the game longer, and leaving matches less frequently.”