Open Matchmaking From Black Ops 7 Is Coming to Warzone in Season 1

Warzone’s big Season 1 update is almost here, and one of Black Ops 7’s most impactful multiplayer changes is officially making the jump to the battle royale. Open Matchmaking, a system that minimizes skill-based matchmaking and creates more randomized lobbies, joins the free-to-play Warzone experience next week.

This feature has already become a standout success in BO7 multiplayer, where matchups feel less punishing and more unpredictable. Now, Warzone players can expect the same shakeup in pacing and lobby difficulty when Season 1 launches.

🔫 What Open Matchmaking Means for Warzone

Open Matchmaking changes how players are sorted into lobbies:

• Less emphasis on skill rating

• More variety in match difficulty

• Reduced “SBMM sweat” feeling

• More natural mix of casual teams and high-skill squads

• Improved pacing across matches

Raven Software confirmed the update in a new Dev Talk, noting that playlist changes aim to make Warzone feel more dynamic and less restrictive.

🗺️ New Maps & Major Additions in Season 1

Season 1 brings several new content drops across the Warzone ecosystem:

Haven’s Hollow (New Resurgence Map)

• A compact, Appalachian-inspired location

• Designed for high-intensity Resurgence gameplay

• Packed with close-quarters battles, vertical routes, and environmental storytelling

Verdansk Map Updates

Verdansk returns with a series of tweaks, including new points of interest and event-driven changes designed to refresh the classic BR environment.

BO7 Weapon Integration

Warzone adds all Black Ops 7 weapons to the arsenal — including the Season 1 newcomers.

Expect tuning adjustments as weapons settle into the Warzone sandbox.

⚙️ Gameplay Changes, LTMs & Rebalancing

Season 1 also introduces several updates to keep gameplay fresh:

Perk & Equipment Rebalancing

• Key Perks receive tuning to improve overall consistency

• Equipment adjustments aim to prevent meta dominance

Limited-Time Modes

Season 1 launches with multiple LTMs that experiment with new pacing, combat styles, and movement rules.

Weapon Tuning Frequency

Raven promises more frequent balancing updates going forward, helping maintain healthier metas throughout the year.

🏃 Movement Features Missing From the Update

One notable omission: wall-jumping from Black Ops 7.

While Warzone previously adopted BO6’s omnimovement system, BO7’s movement tech doesn’t appear in this update — a change that many players find surprising given its impact on skill expression.

🎮 Final Thoughts

The return of Open Matchmaking could be one of Warzone’s most refreshing pivots in years, especially for players tired of overly competitive lobbies. Combined with new maps, weapon integrations, tuning updates, and Verdansk adjustments, Season 1 has the potential to rejuvenate the Warzone experience as it heads into the new year.

Season 1 for Warzone and Black Ops 7 goes live December 4.

Explore more Call of Duty news and updates on the 1v1Me blog