Title: Battlefield 7 and the SBMM Controversy: What We Know So Far
The upcoming chapter in the esteemed Battlefield series, provisionally named Battlefield 7, has yet to be officially unveiled. Nevertheless, the game is already at the forefront of a passionate debate within the community — a debate that has become all too common in the realm of contemporary multiplayer shooters: skill-based matchmaking, or SBMM.
Following several leaks from the Battlefield Community Test Environment (CTE), players have started to analyze the potential matchmaking system of the game. The identification of SBMM-related code has ignited fervent discussions, leading to responses from both developers and community managers.
Let’s delve into what’s occurring.
Matchmaking in Battlefield 7: What Was Uncovered?
As reported by MP1st, data miner “schroomi” found code in the Battlefield 7 playtest suggesting the existence of a matchmaking system influenced by various factors. These include:
– Player performance metrics (e.g., kill/death ratio, score per minute)
– Platform (PC or console)
– Network connection quality (ping)
While this might seem like a conventional matchmaking system, the mere mention of SBMM has incited criticism from some segments of the Battlefield community. On Reddit, some users claimed the game should “fail” if it incorporates SBMM, arguing that it undermines the casual and chaotic essence that Battlefield embodies.
Developer Response: Clarifying the Role of SBMM
David Sirland, the lead producer of Battlefield 7, took to Reddit to directly address the controversy. He confirmed that the game does indeed incorporate a form of SBMM — but stressed that it is not the strict, skill-segregating system that many players dread.
According to Sirland:
– The system emphasizes ping and matchmaking speed over skill level.
– Player skill only plays a minor role in matchmaking.
– Similar systems have been implemented in prior Battlefield games.
Sirland also defended the notion of skill-based matchmaking in moderation. “Claiming that SBMM is outright negative doesn’t aid anyone,” he stated. “What you should convey instead is: Strong SBMM with a sharp player separation based on skill is negative.”
He added that some measure of skill assessment is required to ensure balanced teams. “It wouldn’t be enjoyable if all the top players ended up on the same team, would it?” he posed rhetorically. The objective, as stated by Sirland, is not to segregate players by skill, but to foster equitable and competitive matches.
Community Manager Intervenes
Despite Sirland’s attempts to placate the situation, the debate continued to intensify. Ultimately, Battlefield’s Community Manager, known as TOTALfps, intervened with a decisive statement: “Ok, that’s enough now.”
In a Reddit post, TOTALfps addressed the overarching issue of leaks and the misinformation they can generate. He reminded the community that Battlefield Labs — the testing initiative where the SBMM code emerged — serves as a space for experimentation. Features examined there may or may not appear in the final product.
“Leaks are consistently shared without context and with a specific perspective,” he noted. “This harms the trust and transparency we wish to establish.”
He also had a message for those disseminating information:
“While the allure of fleeting internet fame may be tempting, it undermines our efforts to remain open and communicative. And frankly, if that’s your goal, then I question how that aligns with THE interests of our community.”
TOTALfps concluded by expressing gratitude to players providing constructive input and encouraged everyone to rely solely on official information from developer DICE and publisher EA.
The Broader Context: Why SBMM Triggers Controversy
The SBMM discussion is not exclusive to Battlefield. It’s an ongoing point of contention within other prominent shooter communities like Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Fortnite. The crux of the matter lies in balancing two opposing desires:
– Casual players wish for fair matches where they’re not consistently outclassed.
– Hardcore players seek to dominate and dislike being matched against equally skilled rivals every game.
In games like Battlefield, which have historically embraced large-scale, chaotic combat with varying skill levels, the implementation of SBMM can resemble a transition towards a more competitive, less spontaneous experience.
What’s Next for Battlefield 7?
Currently, Battlefield 7 remains officially unrevealed, and all information regarding its features — including matchmaking — should be viewed as potentially subject to change. The developers have made it evident that the systems under examination are not definitive and that community feedback is being valued.
The SBMM discourse is likely to persist, but the developers’ openness and readiness to engage with the community indicate they are striving for a balanced strategy. Whether that will satisfy the diverse Battlefield player base is yet to be determined.
For now, fans will need to await official announcements from DICE and EA to grasp the complete picture of what Battlefield 7 entails.