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A new title is entering the ring of shooters and is set to follow a trend that the newly releasedXDefianthas been receiving both praise and backlash for; Digital Cybercherries’Hypercharge: Unboxedlaunches on Xbox imminently without one staple feature.
Just like Ubisoft’s shooter, the new action figure game won’t feature skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), a mechanic that has been a topic of heated debate for a long time, particularly within theCall of Dutycommunity. Now the question remains whetherBlack Ops 6will follow this SBMM-free trend.
Hypercharge: Unboxed Is ‘All About the Fun’
Digital Cybercherries’Hyperchargeis a 90s-inspired first- and third-person shooter in which players assume the role of action figures. In the style ofToy Story, players face off against NPCs and player-controlled toys.
The shooter, which FandomWire critic Daniel Boyd regards asone of the most underrated games from recent years, won’t feature skill-based matchmaking in its PvP mode. Stating that “it’s all about fun,” the developers confirmed this in a recent post on X.
Our action figure game will not have SBMM (Skill-based matchmaking).
Just 90s-inspired jumpin', shootin', and good times. It’s all about the fun!#xboxpic.twitter.com/eFZIs5pmM3
— Hypercharge | Out Now on Xbox! (@HyperchargeGame)June 28, 2025
Skill-based matchmaking, or SBMM for short, is a feature that matches players against opponents who are at a similar skill level. This means beginners will play against equally inexperienced players, while advanced players will face similarly experienced opponents.
XDefiant is a Little too Different to Call of Duty as the Absence of 1 FPS-Staple Feature Leaves Fans Angry and Confused
With this, the new action figure shooter is following in the footsteps ofXDefiant. Ubisoft’s recently released first-person shooter doesn’t feature skill-based matchmaking past level 25. While beginners will still be matched with players on the same level, anyone on level 25 or higher will be matched with players of all levels.
Thanks to XDefiant, The Skill-Based Matchmaking Debate Goes On
Ubisoft’s decision to omit skill-based matchmaking inXDefianthascaused both backlash and praise among gamers. While some are glad that casual games allow them to relax and enjoy a more casual experience, others have complained about an imbalanced experience as they have to team up with unskilled players or face off against overpowered opponents.
This debate is not new to theCall of Dutycommunity. Activision Blizzard’s shooter has long been at the center of a heated discussion surrounding skill-based matchmaking. As a response to the ongoing debate,Activision Blizzard recently explained the matchmaking processand how players’ skills play into it.
“You lose out on all the fun variety”: xDefiant and Former Modern Warfare 2 Producer Slams Call of Duty’s SBMM Methods and Questions the Morality of it All
While the team refrained from making a clear announcement about the future of skill-based matchmaking, it stated that this feature helps retain players who stay engaged for longer if they play against similarly skilled opponents.
With bothXDefiantand nowHyperchargetaking the SBMM-free route, one might wonder whetherBlack Ops 6could follow a similar path. Given Activision’s long-running commitment to this feature, it is unlikely the upcoming title in the series will omit it, despite the ongoing debate. However, it remains to be seen if the developer will change its mind on the topic.
How do you feel about skill-based matchmaking? Are you happy both the new shooters are omitting this feature, and would you like to seeBlack Ops 6follow this path as well? Let us know in the comments below.
Lisa Kamlot
Articles Published :101
Lisa is a passionate gaming writer with an insatiable appetite for all things gaming. When she’s not diving into virtual worlds, she’s riding waves as a dedicated surfer. She’s always on a quest for adventure – both in the digital realm and IRL.
