Treyarch confirmed on October 4, 2025, that the beta version of Black Ops 7 added a new multiplayer playlist called Open Moshpit. Open Moshpit is a stand-alone mode that drastically reduces skill consideration while waiting for a match.
Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) in Call of Duty games has caused increasing controversy for years. This is the first time that Activision has publicly given up any ground on the issue. The studio says that the new playlist, which went live on the third day of the beta, offers a classic matchmaking experience where skill isn’t given much weight.
For years, fans have complained about the skill-based matchmaking in Call of Duty. The system has been around since the first Modern Warfare in 2007, but with each new game, the skill gap between players in lobbies has gotten smaller and smaller.
As a result, matches with lots of skill differences are less common. Many players think this removes the game’s unpredictability, especially for skilled players new to the Black Ops 7 beta. The main complaint from more hardcore and skilled players is that aggressive SBMM constantly puts players of the same skill level together, which makes every match highly competitive, or “sweaty,” and stops surprising outcomes or the use of unusual tactics.
During the beta of Black Ops 7, players can choose between two main playlists: the standard Moshpit and the new Open Moshpit. The maps and modes in both playlists are the same. The maps are Imprint, Cortex, Exposure, and The Forge. The modes are Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, Kill Confirmed, and the new competitive mode, Overload.
The most important difference is how the matches are made. In the Open Moshpit, the system is set up to match players with and against others who have different skill levels. This makes for a wider range of match experiences and results.
Players who have played the game early on say that the difference is clear right away. Lobbies have a much wider range of player performance, from experts who are very good at the game to those who are having trouble getting a few kills.
People see this change as a shocking turn of events and a big concession to what the community wanted. The announcement makes it clear that the main goal during the Black Ops 7 beta is to get important data and feedback from players, and the team is actively taking part in the community discussion about matchmaking.
The future of the Open Moshpit playlist in the final game remains uncertain due to the game’s beta test status. It will probably depend on the data and player feedback collected during this time.
Treyarch has been listening to fans and introducing changes to the game before it comes out. For example, they took out the “Carry Forward” feature for content and promised to make character skins that look more real.
