Infinity Ward defends Classic matchmaking in MW4
The studio says its goal is to keep every match a good experience, despite player complaints about the new system.
24 Oct 2026 0 reads Compiled with AI
#Infinity Ward #Modern Warfare 4
When Modern Warfare 4 launched, players quickly took to social media to vent about its new matchmaking system. The studio’s shift from Open Matchmaking, introduced in Black Ops 7, to Classic matchmaking in Season 5 was met with anger because many felt the matches were harder and more competitive. Fans complained that skill‑based matchmaking made every lobby feel like a final and left them frustrated. Some players even suggested that the system had made the game the most miserable experience to date.
Studio’s matchmaking philosophy
Multiplayer creative director Joe Cecot told IGN that Infinity Ward’s priority is ensuring that every match is a good one, even if the perfect system is not yet achieved. He said the studio studies player data to gauge how matchmaking affects different groups and to quantify negative impacts. While Infinity Ward has not released the exact mechanics of its Classic matchmaking, it has highlighted improvements in player retention, queue times, and match quit rates compared to the Open system. The goal, according to Cecot, is to keep matches enjoyable, even if the details remain undisclosed.
The backlash has persisted on social media, with users describing the SBMM‑driven matches as relentless and fun‑free. One commentator wrote that every lobby feels like a “CDL final,” while another said the system had been “cranked up” some more. A YouTuber, TheXclusiveAce, found that some playlists labeled ‘Popular’ actually use the more forgiving Open matchmaking, suggesting that Classic is not applied everywhere. For those who prefer a lighter experience, he recommends selecting modes like Search and Destroy or Team Deathmatch instead of Quick Play.
At present, Infinity Ward has not confirmed whether Open matchmaking will return or if any modifications to Classic are planned. The studio has declined to share specific adjustments, and players continue to voice complaints about the current system. Until the studio releases concrete details, the question of whether the current system will change remains open.