Rockstar Games recently launched an exciting new gamemode in GTA Online called Cayo Perico Motor Wars. Set on the tropical and chaotic Cayo Perico island, this mode brings large-scale, team-based combat with powerful vehicles like the Khanjali tank, APC, and Savage helicopter. It’s a fresh and fast-paced twist on the traditional Motor Wars formula—at least, on paper.

Unfortunately, despite its potential, a major flaw is stopping the mode from reaching its full promise.

The Real Issue: Broken Matchmaking
The biggest problem with Cayo Perico Motor Wars isn’t the gameplay or the map—it’s the matchmaking system.

The mode supports up to 28 players split into four teams, but full lobbies are rare. Many matches start with 20+ players but quickly drop to 6–8 players after a few minutes due to early quitting or poor lobby distribution. Most players don’t tweak matchmaking settings, and Rockstar’s system doesn’t automatically merge small lobbies together.

This creates a frustrating experience: instead of fast, action-packed battles, players are left in nearly empty matches with little strategy or challenge.

Why Matchmaking Matters
In a mode built around large-scale team combat, having too few players throws off the entire balance. For example:

- Vehicles like the Savage helicopter become overpowered without coordinated opposition.

- Fewer players lead to shorter, less intense battles.

- Teams feel unbalanced, with little room for tactical teamwork.

Worse, the slow matchmaking discourages players from trying the mode again. As more players abandon the mode, the matchmaking issue snowballs—fewer players means even more empty lobbies.

The Good News: There’s Still a Lot to Like
Despite its matchmaking issues, Cayo Perico Motor Wars has a strong foundation:

- Exciting vehicle combat with well-balanced strengths and weaknesses.

- A unique tropical battlefield that offers new strategies and scenery.

- Bonus rewards—this week, players earn 2X GTA$ and RP, and GTA+ subscribers get 4X, available until August 6.

Rockstar clearly invested effort into balancing vehicles, rewards, and map design. The mode should be one of GTA Online’s most replayable features. GTA modded accounts are a shortcut many players take to experience the full potential of Cayo Perico.

What Players Want Next
The community is calling on Rockstar to fix the core issue. Most suggestions include:

- Merging low-player lobbies automatically

- Improved player distribution across teams

- More aggressive matchmaking filters to prevent half-empty matches

Fixing these would not only improve the current experience but also help retain a larger player base.

Cayo Perico Motor Wars is a creative and fun addition to GTA Online, but its potential is being blocked by a broken matchmaking system. The lack of full lobbies turns what should be thrilling team battles into dull, one-sided skirmishes. Rockstar has the foundation for something great—all it needs now is a matchmaking fix.

If addressed quickly, this mode could become one of GTA Online’s most exciting and lasting updates.