Battlefield 7 will have „controversial” system, but Electronic Arts reassures displeased players

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The creators of the latest Battlefield game needed to allay concerns from players who were displeased with a controversial matchmaking feature planned for the imminent launch.

To some gamers, it’s the unseen antagonist in online action games that they often blame – I’m referring to the system called SBMM, or Skill-Based Matchmaking, a type of matchmaking that pairs players based on their individual skills.

As a passionate fan of multiplayer modes, I can’t help but express my concerns about this new system. Instead of enhancing the fun, it seems to be doing the opposite. The reason being (oddly enough), it necessitates consistent play against equally skilled opponents, thus eliminating the thrill of dominating the server.

The unfortunate story of XDefiant, now a thing of the past, might hint at the fact that for some players, the problem wasn’t with matchmaking, but rather, the criticism of Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) continues to be widespread due to various other reasons.

It’s no wonder that the revelation of references to such matchmaking system in the beta code of the upcoming Battlefield didn’t elicit much joy among fans of the series on Reddit / X. Even those who defend this action as more than just a fad by EA DICE, can’t conceal their dismay over the developers’ choice.

Not only skill

In response to the dataminers’ discovery about the upcoming Battlefield 7, not just one but two developers addressed the players’ reactions via Reddit. David Sirland, the game’s creator, admitted that there are aspects of skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) in Battlefield 7, yet he highlighted that the game’s primary focus is on swiftly pairing players. He also stressed that the impact of “skill-based sorting” will be relatively small.

The developer noted that when gamers complain about SBMM (Skill-Based Matchmaking), they’re often talking about its most intense form, which focuses on pairing players based on their in-game abilities. However, skill should still play a role in matchmaking, as per Sirland’s viewpoint. Ultimately, he suggests that situations where all the skilled players end up on the same team in every game wouldn’t provide an enjoyable experience for anyone over time.

“Enough of this” – dev comments on discussions about SBMM “without context”

In the same conversation, Kevin “T0TALFPS” Johnson, a community manager at EA DICE, chimed in as well. He appeared somewhat frustrated by the ongoing discussion about something that hasn’t been officially announced yet. He emphasized that there is a proper moment and setting for revealing and discussing game features, but right now, players are talking “off-topic,” damaging the dialogue and violating the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

We have our moments for introducing new features and engaging more people, but right now isn’t one of them. Let’s focus on what we’re currently working on. Regarding Battlefield Labs, we’ll certainly expand opportunities for participation when the time is right. However, for now, please be mindful of the NDA you agreed to, as repeated sharing of information might lead to removal from test groups.

Sharing information and content without proper context can lead to misunderstandings and damage trust and transparency, as it often gets distorted by stories that may not accurately represent reality. It’s essential to present facts accurately and in their entirety to maintain trust and ensure a clear understanding of the situation. Reading about an event or experience in detail with accurate descriptions is far more reliable than hearing about it second-hand or out of context.

Instead of chasing fleeting online popularity, we risk compromising our commitment to staying transparent and engaged. Frankly, if you’re aiming for this, it raises questions about how it fits within the goals of our community.

Many supporters sympathize with Johnson’s (and creators in general) annoyance over leaks from the Battlefield Labs, but they also argue that viewers have valid reasons to monitor the developers. The last Battlefield game was a significant letdown for series enthusiasts who were already growing weary of EA DICE. The studio lacks credibility, even after the relatively positive responses from players regarding the leaks from Battlefield Labs thus far. However, this sentiment is shared by most fans…

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2025-04-14 12:03