A video surfaced online in late January showcasing a tool allowing hackers to remove players from Black Ops 6 matches. Activision responded, stating the video was from the Black Ops 6 multiplayer beta and that the vulnerability was patched before the game's November release. They emphasized that the video doesn't reflect the current game state and that they investigate all such reports.
However, players dispute Activision's claim, citing continued use of the tool. Evidence includes a video demonstrating the program's use during a match on the Nuketown map—a map added to Black Ops 6 a week post-launch.
Despite this controversy, Black Ops 6 achieved significant success, topping US sales charts last year according to Circana analysts. This continues a remarkable 16-year streak for the Call of Duty franchise as the top-ranked game in the United States. In the sports game category, EA Sports College Football 25, released in July, emerged as the most played title.
While overall US gamer spending dipped 1.1% year-over-year in 2024, Circana attributes this to reduced hardware demand, noting that spending on add-ons and services increased by 2% and 6% respectively. The second season of Black Ops 6 and Warzone 2, featuring a ninja theme and a Terminator crossover, launched on January 28th.
