The Truth About Multiplayer in Call of Duty: No Bots in the Lobby

Call of Duty, one of the most popular video game series in the world, has always intrigued players with its multiplayer matchmaking system. The latest blog post by the Call of Duty team delves into the current state of the multiplayer mode and what it entails. This provided an excellent opportunity for gamers to ask questions to the creators of the beloved series.

Among the various questions asked, one particular inquiry stood out: Does Call of Duty use bots in multiplayer matchmaking? The answer turned out to be surprising.

Why would a player ask about bots in the Call of Duty lobby?

The creators of Call of Duty published a blog post that detailed how the matchmaking system works. For years, gamers have speculated about how Call of Duty manages matchmaking in its multiplayer mode. One frequently mentioned term in this context is “skill-based matchmaking,” although it’s a completely separate topic.

Many players have always theorized about the existence of bots in games like Call of Duty, filling lobbies to prevent players from enduring long wait times to find a match.

This notion primarily applies to new players who often believe they are paired with bots, allowing them to gain skills and levels in the game before skill-based matchmaking kicks in.

Thanks to this blog post, we learn that it’s a false assumption, and players are generally matched with others of similar skill levels, especially beginners who are just getting started.

Interestingly, this wasn’t the only question posed to the developers during the blog post. Various other matchmaking-related queries were asked, to which the answers were straightforward and concrete, undoubtedly reassuring many players.

How does this answer impact the Call of Duty player community?

Players often ask the creators of Call of Duty numerous questions regarding the matchmaking system. Besides frequently asked inquiries about SBMM and bots in lobbies, questions have also emerged about what influences the matchmaking system as a whole, rather than just specific elements. Fortunately, many of these questions have mostly been addressed in this blog post.

For instance, one player questioned whether gameplay features like aim assist impact the matchmaking process. In other words, if I’m a console player using aim assist to help me hit opponents, would the matchmaking process focus on this aspect and try to match me with players of similar playstyles?

According to the response to this question, the current matchmaking system in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 doesn’t utilize such gameplay elements to match players. This makes sense since PC players and console players will likely remain separated since console players use aim assist much more frequently than PC players.

Another question posed was whether in-game purchases affect the matchmaking system. For example, if someone buys one of the game’s weapon and character skin bundles, would that affect matchmaking opponents?

According to the blog post, in-game purchases have no impact on the matchmaking system because they don’t change anything significant in terms of gameplay style. This actually makes sense when you think about it, although there have been cases in Call of Duty where certain skins have caused visual confusion.

What are your thoughts on the absence of bots in Call of Duty lobbies? Are you satisfied with the current state of multiplayer mode in Call of Duty? Let us know in the comments!