Mastering the Battlefield: 7 Game-Changing Adjustments to Boost Your Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 Experience

Highlights

Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) in Modern Warfare 3 (2023) has caused frustration among players who want a more casual experience.

Reducing the delay for SBMM activation following each match would enhance player experience by providing more opportunities to engage in lobbies without immediate penalties for performing well.

By offering players the choice to participate in competitive gameplay with SBMM or opt for a more relaxed mode, a larger audience can be accommodated and player retention can be sustained at a high level.

Given the longstanding impact of skill-based matchmaking in previous Call of Duty games, it comes as no surprise that fans are still expressing their frustrations with its presence in Sledgehammer's Modern Warfare 3 (2023). While many players have praised various aspects of the gameplay, including slide canceling, silent footsteps as permanent perks, and a longer time-to-kill, concerns remain about how SBMM could potentially detract from the multiplayer experience.

Although it is highly unlikely for SBMM to be completely removed from Modern Warfare 3 (2023) upon its release, there are certainly ways in which it can be adjusted to offer a more laid-back and less competitive environment for players in each lobby.

5 Decreased Time In Activation

The main issue with SBMM is how quickly it is implemented after each match. If a player has a higher than average kill count, the next game or the one after that will match them with highly skilled players, leading to frustration and a desire to quit. To address this problem, developers should consider adopting a system like Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 2 (2022) and the Modern Warfare 3 (2023) beta, which allows for a slower implementation of SBMM. This would give players the opportunity to enjoy casual play without being penalized immediately for performing well.

4 Optional In Casual

Given how quickly skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) takes effect, many players feel compelled to turn to an alternative game. This has sparked a growing interest in Ubisoft's XDefiant, as its developers promise a SBMM-free and more casual gaming experience. Unlike Call of Duty titles, where players have no choice but to compete in a competitive setting, XDefiant presents an option to toggle SBMM on or off. This solution not only maintains a healthy player base but also caters to the desires of players who long for a return to Call of Duty's classic formula.

3 Moved To Ranked Play

Many fans have expressed surprise and disappointment as Ranked Play in Call of Duty still includes SBMM in the casual multiplayer experience. This goes against the essence of Ranked Play, which is meant to provide intense and competitive gameplay. Fans hope that SBMM will be confined to its appropriate mode when Ranked Play is introduced during Modern Warfare 3's first season. This is seen as a crucial factor that may hinder the game from reaching its anticipated high level of quality.

2 Limiting SBMM To One Or Two Games

In addition to wanting to remove the quick activation of SBMM, another issue lies in the duration of SBMM for each player. Following a couple of games with a high kill count that triggers SBMM, players are then faced with a series of matches against highly skilled opponents that seem to drag on for longer than necessary.

If SBMM remains a crucial aspect of the Call of Duty experience in Modern Warfare 3 (2023) and beyond, it would greatly benefit everyone if it only remains active for one or two matches instead of persisting throughout multiple matches, resulting in reduced enjoyment.

1 Rewards Or Faster Progression

With little to no adjustment expected in SBMM for Modern Warfare 3 (2023), developers can improve the game by offering greater rewards through the inclusion of battle passes. These rewards could include earning more battle pass tokens for maintaining a high kill count in skill-based, matchmade lobbies, or receiving skins and camos for operators and weapons as a recognition of good performance. Such incentives would encourage players to be more competitive and address the frustrations they have had with SBMM over the years. While it may not completely remove the feature, it would acknowledge and reward players for enduring its intensity. Currently, casual players have no motivation to engage with SBMM outside of Ranked Play. Introducing worthwhile rewards and enhancing the feature could potentially change fans' perceptions and opinions on the matter.

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)

Platform(s) PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS4, Xbox OneReleased November 10, 2023Developer(s) Sledgehammer GamesGenre(s) First-Person Shooter