Activision's still out here pretending they're just now 'learning a lot' about matchmaking while finally tossing low-SBMM Open playlists into the Modern Warfare 4 beta. The same crew that spent years gaslighting players about skill-based matchmaking being some sacred cow is now copying the open moshpit experiment from Black Ops 7 because the feedback was too loud to ignore. Beta starts August 21, and unlike last year, Game Pass folks get zero early access perks.

The official post admits they've been studying player data and community gripes, then drops that Open playlists are carrying over to MW4 alongside a new 'classic-inspired' system for Black Ops 7 modes with smarter balancing and mixed-party fixes. Players on X are already calling it out as damage control after BO7's player count tanked, with one noting the real test comes when MW4's beta hits and the lobbies actually matter. Community threads on Reddit echo the same skepticism — open options sound nice until the rug gets pulled post-launch.

This ain't a full surrender on SBMM, just options so the sweats and casuals can pick their poison. Infinity Ward's tweaking gunplay to make you 'feel behind the gun,' but if the matchmaking still feels like ranked purgatory in half the playlists, that promise is DOA. Keep the receipts ready when the beta drops.