Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 utilizes hidden data to assign players to specific game lobbies. However, there is a method for players to discover their ratings. Black Ops 6, alongside Warzone and earlier titles from the Call of Duty series, employs what is known as skill-based matchmaking (SBMM). Each player is assigned an SBMM rating that reflects various aspects of their performance during gameplay, ultimately determining their opponents. This system is designed to maintain a more balanced multiplayer experience compared to completely random matchmaking.
Players often feel compelled to learn their SBMM ratings and see how they stack up against others. Unfortunately, SBMM ratings are not shown in-game like other statistics such as win-loss ratios or kill/death (K/D) ratios. Thankfully, it is possible to uncover these ratings, but it involves a few steps and some patience. Competitive players in Call of Duty will likely find this effort worthwhile as it provides deeper insights into how their performance is evaluated and affects their matchmaking.
How to Access Call of Duty’s Hidden SBMM Ratings
Players Must Request the Info from Activision
YouTuber TheXclusiveAce is credited with popularizing a way to find your SBMM rating in his video titled “How to See your Hidden Skill Rating in Call of Duty!” To begin, visit Activision’s support site, and go to the Privacy & Data Protection page. Next, click on the “Submit a New Request” button, which will display a privacy agreement. After agreeing to the terms and providing your location information, you’ll be directed to the request submission page. If you encounter an error, simply go back and try again.
On the following page, you’ll need to pick the type of request you want to submit. For SBMM ratings, select the top blue option: “Access My Personal Information (Subject Access Request).” After that, you’ll need to log into any accounts connected to Call of Duty. Once you’ve entered the details, the request is sent off. Processing the request may take a few days, and it could take even longer now that more players are aware of this option. You’ll receive the results via email.
What Is SBMM in Call of Duty?
SBMM Determines Lobby Assignments
A player’s SBMM rating dictates the players they are matched with during online games. This rating is represented by a numerical value; for instance, TheXclusiveAce received ratings that primarily ranged between 300 and 400. While the maximum score is not clearly defined, it appears that higher performance correlates with a higher rating. It’s essential to note that multiple factors determine a skill rating, incorporating more than just K/D ratios or total scores from matches.
The data reflects everything from the number of shots fired to player movement patterns. Consequently, accuracy and mobility are also considered when calculating a player’s overall SBMM rating. Additionally, the specific methodology for weighing these skills is not fully transparent. As shown in TheXclusiveAce’s analysis, matches with higher scores did not always yield a corresponding spike in skill ratings.
While many players are eager to uncover their own SBMM ratings, the numbers alone may not provide comprehensive insight. A large-scale analysis and comparison among players would be necessary to fully understand the implications. If that occurs, it could significantly alter players’ perspectives regarding the game. They might start focusing on less conventional stats like movement to manipulate the system and find themselves in easier lobbies for better chances of winning.
Another aspect affecting matchmaking is the collective SBMM of a team entering a lobby together. Players may have noticed that certain friends make Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 or Warzone matches feel deceptively easy or challenging. This reaction is due to the game adjusting to account for the combined SBMM ratings of all team members. However, the exact mechanics of this adjustment remain unclear.
Sources: TheXclusiveAce/YouTube, Activision
