"Former Halo 3 Lead Criticizes Modern Gaming's SBMM as a 'Failure'"
Former Halo 2 and 3 UX design lead, Max Hoberman, criticized skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) in modern gaming, calling it a "failure." He argued that SBMM increases stress and segregates high-level players from the rest of the community. Hoberman explained that the key to successful SBMM is allowing for both fun and challenging matches, but many modern titles focus solely on matching players of the same level. He disagreed with an article claiming SBMM improves the gaming experience, stating that it discriminates against high-skill players and prevents casual play with friends. Many players agreed, expressing that first-person shooting games are no longer as enjoyable due to the strict implementation of SBMM.