Black Ops Cold War League Play Starts Feb. 8

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War will add League Play as an online game mode next week. League Play has been absent from the game since its release last November but is being added to combat matchmaking issues. The introduction of League Play will coincide with the start of the 2021 Call of Duty League season.

Black Ops Cold War League Play Starts Feb. 8

League Play in Black Ops Cold War is a competitive online mode that features a different ranking system than standard ranked matches. The game's standard ranked play features an XP system that levels players up based on individual performance and achievements. League Play's system is based purely on wins and losses, offering an entirely new approach at ranking a player.

The addition of League Play gives players a secondary option to ranked gameplay. In League Play, players are placed in Divisions that essentially serve as their ranking. Based on how often the player wins or loses, they can be promoted or demoted from their Division.

The return of League Play is likely related to complaints from the player base about Black Ops Cold War's matchmaking system. The game currently uses SBMM, or skill-based matchmaking, that has polarized the community. While some claim Black Ops Cold War's SBMM is the best matchmaking system in any Call of Duty game, others believe it is unbalanced and ruins their experience.

Players who feel that the current matchmaking is unfair will be able to try League Play's entirely different system. League Play's matchmaking reflects those found in older Call of Duty games, which is why it is preferred by many players. The opinion on SBMM seems to be split evenly, so this move should leave all Black Ops Cold War players satisfied.

League Play will be added to Black Ops Cold War starting Feb. 8, just three days before the start of the 2021 Call of Duty League season.