Battlefield 6 SBMM Sparks Fury: Developer Weighs In on Controversial Matchmaking Decision!

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Enthusiasts of first-person shooter games are buzzing about Battlefield 6. Leaks from recent playtests at Battlefield Labs have been popping up since they started a month ago, giving fans a sneak peek into what’s to come from these test periods. Various details about the upcoming game and its features have leaked, offering players a rough idea of what they might experience during these tests. Some of this information includes glimpses of the environmental destruction shown in the first trailer, as well as the gunplay. However, the latest leak has stirred up some controversy, hinting that skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) will be implemented in EA’s next installment in the long-running series.

It was revealed this week that SBMM (Skill-Based Matchmaking) had been implemented, as evidence from Battlefield Labs playtests showed matchmaking commands related to the contentious multiplayer feature. This revelation has sparked disappointment in the community, with players expressing their worries about the feature and preferring a server browser option instead. The leak of this information caused quite a commotion, prompting Battlefield Lead Producer David Sirland to address the divisive issue on Reddit (by user Old_Doubt5886), explaining the rationale behind incorporating SBMM.

In simpler terms, Sirland states that the year 2042 follows the concept of Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM), as explained earlier. However, it places more emphasis on factors like ping and time to join a game, especially in a 64-player match. As a result, the skill level of players is less significant when determining which server to place them in. Additionally, playing with a party doesn’t seem to have much impact on this process. To clarify, criticizing SBMM in general isn’t particularly constructive. Instead, what you might want to express is that “overly emphasized SBMM, where the separation of players based on skill is prioritized, can be problematic.

Let me clarify a point – although the skill value has been part of the matchmaking system since we began, it doesn’t mean we’re opting for a strict Skill-Based Matchmaking solution. In fact, quite the contrary. The Battlefield series thrives when you engage in diverse game modes with friends and various players. We don’t intend to restrict that experience.

Furthermore, Community Manager TOTALfps of Battlefield has also released a statement addressing the recent disclosures concerning SBMM integration in Battlefield 6, along with details on Battlefield Labs in general.

According to TOTALfps, information and content that is passed along frequently lacks proper context and often carries a story that undermines our efforts to build trust and transparency. It’s crucial to understand that understanding something out of its original context can be misleading compared to experiencing or thoroughly reading about it with accurate descriptions included.

Although quick online popularity may seem appealing, it goes against our aim for openness and communication,” TOTF adds. “To be frank, if that’s your goal, I have to wonder how it lines up with the goals of our shared community.

Even though a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) was necessary for participating in Battlefield Labs playtests, it appears that several individuals have chosen not to adhere to this agreement, resulting in numerous leaks emerging. It’s worth mentioning that these early trials might not reflect the final version of Battlefield 6, and aspects such as SBMM could undergo changes before its public release.

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2025-04-12 17:48