The Season 1 update for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 arrived with several welcome improvements—better overtime rules in Overload, clearer bullet-penetration logic, and useful map and UI updates. But underneath the positive changes, the reorganization of multiplayer playlists has sparked growing concern that the game is quietly steering players toward closed “standard” matchmaking at the expense of open modes. You can buy cheap in-game items while waiting in a CoD BO7 Bot Lobby.
The previous layout separated open matchmaking for Quickplay from a dedicated tab for the single closed Standard Mosh Pit playlist. Now, Standard Mosh Pit has been moved to the very top of the Featured tab, making it the default selection for many players. Meanwhile, party modes occupy the second tab, and open playlists appear far less prominent. Developers highlighted higher engagement in standard matchmaking, but critics argue the prime placement—and the broad, friendly term “standard”—pushes casual players into closed, SBMM-heavy lobbies without realizing the difference.
This shift risks creating a cycle that weakens open matchmaking over time. As more casual players are funneled into the standard option, open playlists may become disproportionately filled with highly skilled players seeking variety rather than strict matchmaking. If engagement metrics continue skewing toward standard, the data could be used to justify further expansion of closed lobbies, slowly shrinking the open-matchmaking ecosystem players want to preserve.
Season 1 still brings meaningful fixes and gameplay improvements. Overload now forces pistol swaps while carrying the EMP for better team coordination. Exposure and Montreal maps feature new routing options, and scorestreak bugs—such as inconsistent Skewer kills—have been corrected. Bullet penetration now uses a simplified flat-reduction system based on surface type, making FMJ and similar attachments more predictable. Minor attachment adjustments slightly reduced mobility on weapons like the AK-27 and DS20 Mirage, with a larger balance update on the way. UI updates, including direct bot selection for Free-for-All customs, round out the quality-of-life changes.
Despite these advantages, many fans remain focused on the matchmaking concern. Labeling closed matchmaking as “standard,” while open matchmaking covers most modes, creates confusion for new players—especially when the standard option now appears first at launch. Community discussions on Reddit reflect fears that future data will reflect an artificial preference for standard, potentially leading to fewer open-matchmaking choices. For players who value connection-based lobbies, wider skill ranges, and more relaxed matches, this potential direction feels like a step backward.
As Season 1 continues with new Zombies content, Warzone rotations, and upcoming weapons, the community hopes for clearer communication about matchmaking plans. Maintaining balanced, transparent options for both open and closed experiences will be essential in keeping Black Ops 7’s diverse player base satisfied long-term.
