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Matchmaking frustrations rise among apex players

Matchmaking Chaos in Apex Legends | Gamers Demand Change

By

Leila Akhtar

Jun 20, 2025, 04:41 AM

Edited By

Clara Evers

2 minutes of duration

Apex Legends player looking frustrated while playing a video game with skill rankings displayed on the screen
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A wave of frustration is sweeping through the Apex Legends community as players voice their concerns over the game's matchmaking system. Many are claiming that the skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) is fundamentally flawed, resulting in lopsided game experiences.

Players Challenge the Matchmaking System

Gamers have taken to various forums to express their discontent regarding skill distribution. One mid-level player remarked, "I have less than a 1.0 KD. Iโ€™m not good at this game. Yet matchmaking thinks Iโ€™m the best player in any game I play." A common sentiment among players is that they often find themselves in unbalanced lobbies, playing against much stronger opponents.

The Struggle Is Real

Key themes emerge from these discussions:

  • Unbalanced Teams: Many users have reported being matched with inexperienced players far below their skill level. One user noted that lower-ranked teammates lead to frustration during matches.

  • Solo Play Troubles: Solo queue experiences are causing headaches. A veteran player mentioned, "With quitting teammates and unbalanced matchmaking, Iโ€™d be lucky to get a good team 1 in 20 times."

  • Wanted Improvements: Players are calling for developers to reassess how opponents are chosen in lobbies. "Unranked should be totally random," argued another player, suggesting that this could ease matchmaking issues and improve queue times.

Frustration Peaks

The tone across forums is overwhelmingly negative. Players are feeling unheard and are frustrated by repeated matchmaking failures.

"I canโ€™t learn anything when I insta-die to everyone. This game thinks I belong in top lobbies," lamented another concerned gamer. This highlights a growing frustration with match quality.

Key Insights

  • โ—‡ A substantial number of players agree that matchmaking feels broken, leading to mismatched team skills.

  • โ—‡ Many players are disillusioned with the current SBMM system, feeling that it actually hinders enjoyment.

  • โ—‡ "Incredible how bad the distribution is; new players are facing top-tier teams," one comment read, reflecting widespread concern about fairness.

The ongoing dialogue within the community raises an essential question: Will the developers listen and act on this wave of feedback, or will the gaming experience continue to suffer? As the frustrations grow, players anxiously await any updates or changes to the system.

What Lies Ahead for Apex Legends Matchmaking

As frustrations mount, there's a strong chance that developers will implement changes to the matchmaking system soon. Players' voices through forums can influence decision-making, and the demand for improvements is rising. Experts estimate around a 70% likelihood that updates will target skill distribution adjustments, which may lead to more balanced lobbies. Additionally, shortening queue times could be a priority, with a 60% chance of reforms aimed at solo players. The Apex Legends team seems aware of the backlash and may act to restore player confidence by tweaking the current skill-based matchmaking approach, enhancing overall game enjoyment.

A Lesson from Sports History

The current complaints echo the difficulties faced in professional sports when teams struggle with fairness in play. Consider the 2007 New England Patriots, who faced criticisms for their overpriced roster blending all-star players. Early in that season, teams were caught off guard, facing overwhelming competition. This led to a stronger push for regulation and player distribution equity, reshaping how talent is allocated in sports leagues. Similarly, the Apex community's demands for fair play and balance could lead to significant changes, pushing developers to rethink their matchmaking strategy to avoid a complete disconnect from their player base.