Call of Duty has introduced a “limited matchmaking” system to address problematic players engaging in cheating, offensive behavior, and other rule violations. The system aims to remove such players from the regular matchmaking pool without their awareness. Activision, the publisher of Call of Duty, released a press release outlining the infractions that could lead to limited matchmaking, including cheating, spoofing, offensive behavior, boosting, and malicious reporting. Players found guilty of these violations may face restricted access to regular lobbies, being matched exclusively with other players with similar infractions for a period ranging from 48 hours to weeks.
One concern raised by players is the potential for unjust targeting due to the system’s sometimes vague descriptions of violations. Glitching, for instance, is listed as an infraction, defined as abusing an exploit or other game rule, such as intentionally going under the map to eliminate enemies. The concern is that players might inadvertently abuse glitches, which are relatively common in Call of Duty, leading to their placement in the limited matchmaking pool. The press release does not clarify how accidental abuses of glitches will be handled, but it assures users that all infractions undergo review before imposing penalties.
Another area of potential worry is the category of malicious reporting, addressing false reporting in Call of Duty. The system states that players must “knowingly” file false reports, but the criteria for determining this are not clearly defined. Players who genuinely suspect others of cheating but make incorrect reports could find themselves subjected to limited matchmaking. The lack of clarity on how many incorrect reports may trigger this action adds to the uncertainty.
Despite the concerns, some argue that the intentionally vague descriptions might discourage users from engaging in rule violations. Detailed information about the specific thresholds for penalties could potentially be exploited by users. While the limited matchmaking system is seen as a positive step in maintaining a healthy gaming environment, the potential for misjudgments and unjust targeting remains a concern.
Players have the ability to check whether they have been shadowbanned due to the limited matchmaking system. The introduction of such measures is part of ongoing efforts by game developers and publishers to combat toxic behavior, cheating, and other disruptions within online gaming communities.
