Call of Duty Faces Backlash for Prioritizing Bundles Over Game Issues
Activision's recent tweet promoting a new store bundle amidst widespread game issues has ignited a firestorm of criticism from the Call of Duty community. The tweet, viewed over 2 million times, drew thousands of replies accusing Activision of being tone-deaf to player concerns.
Both Warzone and Black Ops 6 are plagued by significant problems, including rampant cheating in Ranked Play, persistent server instability, and other game-breaking bugs. However, Activision's continued focus on promoting new store bundles instead of addressing these critical flaws has pushed many players to the breaking point.
The controversy follows the October 25, 2024 release of Black Ops 6, which initially received positive reviews. However, the game's recent performance has taken a sharp downturn. Even professional players, such as Scump, have publicly stated that the franchise is in its worst state ever. This widespread discontent stems from a confluence of problems affecting both Black Ops 6 and Warzone, including pervasive hacking in Ranked Play and ongoing server difficulties.
Activision's Tweet Ignites Outrage
The January 8th tweet, promoting a Squid Game-themed bundle, backfired spectacularly. Fans lambasted Activision for its apparent inability to prioritize fixing the game over promoting microtransactions. Content creators like FaZe Swagg urged Activision to address the situation, while news outlets like CharlieIntel highlighted the severity of the Ranked Play issues. Many players, like Twitter user Taeskii, declared boycotts of store bundles until the anti-cheat measures are improved.
Player Exodus on Steam
The negative sentiment extends beyond online criticism; many players are abandoning the game entirely. Since Black Ops 6's launch, Steam player counts have plummeted dramatically. While data for PlayStation and Xbox remains unavailable, the over 47% drop in Steam players strongly suggests that hacking and server issues are driving significant numbers away from the game. The situation paints a bleak picture for the future of Call of Duty, raising serious questions about Activision's commitment to its player base.
