CoD Hacking Furore Escalates with New Tweet

Call of Duty faces community backlash for prioritizing store bundles over fixing game-breaking issues. A recent promotional tweet advertising a Squid Game-themed bundle has ignited a firestorm of criticism, amassing millions of views and thousands of angry responses. The controversy highlights the ongoing struggles plaguing both Warzone and Black Ops 6, including rampant cheating in Ranked Play and persistent server problems.

The outrage follows a pattern of player frustration. While Black Ops 6 initially received positive reviews, the game's condition has deteriorated significantly in recent weeks. Even professional players like Scump have voiced their concern, stating the franchise is in its worst state ever. These issues, including widespread hacking and server instability, have led to a significant drop in player numbers on Steam, with over 47% of players abandoning Black Ops 6 since its October 2024 launch. The extent of player attrition on other platforms remains unclear.

Activision's promotional tweet, posted on January 8th, showcasing a new "VIPs" bundle from the Call of Duty x Squid Game collaboration, was met with widespread condemnation. Players and influencers alike criticized Activision for its apparent disregard for the community's concerns, with comments like FaZe Swagg's "read the room" and CharlieIntel's pointed observation about the broken Ranked Play mode. Many players, such as Twitter user Taeskii, are boycotting in-game purchases until the anti-cheat measures are improved.

The situation underscores a growing disconnect between Activision and its player base. The focus on monetization through store bundles, while ignoring critical gameplay issues, has pushed many players to the brink, with some abandoning the game entirely. The future of Call of Duty hinges on Activision's response to this widespread dissatisfaction.