The goal here is straightforward: better games. By narrowing the skill gap within a single squad, the matchmaking system can theoretically build lobbies that are more consistently skilled across the board. If you have ever been a Platinum player frustrated by seeing a Gold and a Bronze teammate in your squad, this test is specifically designed to address that friction.
This isn't a permanent change yet, but rather a live experiment to gather data on queue times and match quality. While the test saw a minor delay at launch, it is now fully active across all platforms. For those looking to grind with friends, you will need to ensure your ranks are closer than ever to queue up together in the competitive playlist.
This restriction is scheduled to remain in place until the end of the current split on June 23. It represents a significant shift in how Respawn approaches the balance between social play and competitive fairness in the Outlands. Whether this becomes the new meta for Ranked remains to be seen, but for now, you will need to keep your squad's XP gains in sync if you want to keep dropping into the Games together.
Soren