Does Modern Warfare 2 have SBMM? Skill-Based Matchmaking Explained

Modern Warfare 2 is well underway and is doing pretty well on its own, with many fans enjoying the game. The players are getting used to the game’s numerous weapons, mechanics, and maps.

Infinity Ward’s latest entry in the Call of Duty series introduced a host of fresh ideas, from the new Raids to the overhauled Battle Pass system. However, there is one feature that is always confusing and controversial among fans which is Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM).

Many players are curious to know if Modern Warfare 2’s multiplayer modes make use of it. Following is a guide on everything you need to know about Modern Warfare 2 SBMM.

Does Modern Warfare 2 Have SBMM?

The answer to this question of yours is yes, Modern Warfare 2 does feature SBMM in all of its multiplayer modes.

Former Call of Duty dev did confirm in an interview back in 2021 that every game in the series used the feature to some extent, although the developers themselves have never confirmed that it appears in MW2.

Considering the fact that it is such a controversial part of multiplayer gaming, it is difficult to imagine it being removed from Modern Warfare 2 without an announcement. It also applies to Warzone 2, which was developed along with Modern Warfare 2.

What Is Modern Warfare 2 SBMM?

Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) is a system that places players of the same ability into the same lobby in an attempt to keep the matches balanced and fair. This takes place based on a player’s stats, such as their K/D ratio, to determine their skill and match them against teams of the exact same skill.

For instance, in case you are a level 200 demon possessing a K/D ratio of 3.0, then your lobbies will be filled with players of a similar mastery of the game. On the other hand, more casual players will be set up against those with lower skills to make sure that they can still have fun without being eliminated from the map.

In theory, this sounds like it would make matches fairer for all the players, but SBMM has been a heavily debated subject across several multiplayer games.

Players with higher skills, such as pros or streamers, have argued that SBMM punishes them for being better at the game by matching them against tougher opponents.

It has also been claimed that SBMM caters to more casual players and gives them a much better incentive to invest time and money in a game, even if they are not hitting the top 100 on the leaderboard.

Nevertheless, in spite of the criticism, it is becoming more and more popular across the industry, and it is a feature that Modern Warfare 2 players will have to contend with for the entirety of the game’s lifespan.