Call of Duty: How skill-based matchmaking creates better experience

Call of Duty's matchmaking system prioritises connection quality above all else
An undated image of a Call of Duty poster. — Call of Duty
An undated image of a Call of Duty poster. — Call of Duty

Call of Duty, the iconic first-person shooter franchise, pioneered online multiplayer gaming since 2003. The series has captivated millions of players worldwide with its engaging gameplay and realistic war scenarios.

To ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience, Activision, the game's developer, employs skill-based matchmaking. 

This system pairs players based on their skills, connection quality, and other factors. A strong internet connection is the backbone of online gaming. Call of Duty's matchmaking system prioritises connection quality above all else.

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A fast and stable connection ensures a smooth gaming experience, reducing lag and disconnections. This is why "ping is king" in the world of Call of Duty.

Matchmaking factors: 

While connection quality is crucial, other factors contribute to the matchmaking process. These include:

  • Playlist diversity: Offering a range of playlists to cater to different player preferences
  • Recent maps/modes: Considering players' recently played maps and modes to ensure a varied experience
  • Skill/performance: Pairing players based on their skills to create balanced matches
  • Input device: Accounting for players' preferred input devices, such as controllers or mouse and keyboard
  • PlatformConsidering the player's platform, whether PC or console
  • Voice chat: Enabling or disabling voice chat to accommodate different player preferences

Calculating player skill: 

Call of Duty uses a combination of metrics to calculate a player's skill level. These include:

  • Total kills: The number of kills a player achieves in a match
  • Kill/death ratio: A balanced approach to assessing skill, considering both kills and deaths
  • Kills/deaths by enemies: Accounting for self-killing and artificial skill manipulation