Call of Duty Faces Backlash for Prioritizing Store Bundles Over Game Issues
Activision's recent promotion of a new in-game store bundle has ignited a firestorm of criticism from the Call of Duty community. The tweet, boasting over 2 million views and countless angry replies, highlights a growing disconnect between Activision and its player base. The controversy centers on Activision's apparent prioritization of monetization over addressing critical gameplay problems plaguing both Warzone and Black Ops 6.
Multiple game-breaking issues, including rampant cheating in Ranked Play modes, persistent server instability, and other significant bugs, have left players frustrated. This frustration has reached a boiling point, with prominent Call of Duty players, such as Scump, publicly declaring the franchise's current state as its worst ever. The October 25, 2024 launch of Black Ops 6, initially met with positive reviews, has soured considerably in recent weeks.
Activision's Tone-Deaf Tweet
The January 8th tweet, promoting a Squid Game-themed store bundle, was perceived as deeply insensitive by many. The timing, amidst widespread reports of cheating and technical difficulties, led to accusations of Activision being unable to "read the room." This sentiment was echoed across the platform, with content creators like FaZe Swagg and news outlets like CharlieIntel joining the chorus of criticism. Players are voicing their discontent, with some, like Twitter user Taeskii, vowing to boycott future purchases until the game's anti-cheat measures are significantly improved.
Player Exodus on Steam
The negative response extends beyond online criticism. Since the release of Black Ops 6, Call of Duty's player count on Steam has plummeted. While data for PlayStation and Xbox remains unavailable, the over 47% drop on Steam strongly suggests widespread player dissatisfaction, likely fueled by the prevalence of cheaters and ongoing server problems. The combination of persistent issues and Activision's focus on store promotions is pushing players towards abandoning the game entirely.
