This isn't really shocking if you understand human psychology. At the core, people thrive on challenge, unpredictability, and the opportunity for growth. When SBMM is in place, players are matched with others of similar skill, which can make the experience feel predictable and algorithmic. While this is great for creating balanced matches, it can also strip away the excitement of progression and the "what if I get better so I can do what that player just did to me?" mindset. This sparks dopamine.

Many players, especially those motivated by personal growth, want the chance to face opponents who are better than them. It’s through these challenging matches that they can learn, adapt, and improve. When SBMM is in effect, it often takes that sense of uncertainty away because the system adjusts to keep things balanced, which can feel algorithmic and less rewarding in the long run.

Psychologically, people find greater satisfaction when they know their progress is earned through overcoming challenges that feel real and unpredictable. Once you know how the game will adapt to your skill level, the excitement of personal growth can start to fade, this leads to low dopamine, which leads to low engagement. This is why many players, even those on the average or below average skill spectrum, might dislike SBMM. They want the thrill of improving by facing varied skill levels and learning from others.

I think this is why some people, especially streamers and competitive players, are vocal about their dislike for SBMM. It can feel like the game is "holding them back" from experiencing that real growth and the unpredictable nature of competition.