Call of Duty Tweet Inflames Amidst Hacking Controversy

Call of Duty Faces Backlash for Prioritizing Store Bundles Over Game Issues

Activision's recent promotion of a new store bundle amidst widespread game issues has ignited a firestorm of criticism from the Call of Duty community. A tweet announcing a Call of Duty x Squid Game collaboration, featuring a VIP bundle, garnered over 2 million views and thousands of angry responses accusing Activision of being tone-deaf.

The outrage stems from persistent problems plaguing both Warzone and Black Ops 6, including rampant cheating in Ranked Play, debilitating server issues, and other game-breaking bugs. Instead of addressing these concerns, Activision's focus on promoting new store content has pushed many players to the breaking point. Even professional players, like Scump, have publicly declared the franchise's current state as its worst ever.

The Controversial Tweet

The January 8th tweet promoting the Squid Game VIP bundle became a focal point for player frustration. Prominent figures like FaZe Swagg urged Activision to "read the room," highlighting the disconnect between the company's marketing and the game's dire condition. CharlieIntel echoed this sentiment, pointing out the severe limitations imposed on players by the broken Ranked Play system. Many players, like Taeskii, vowed to boycott store bundles until the anti-cheat measures are significantly improved.

Player Exodus on Steam

The negative feedback extends beyond angry tweets. Since the October 2024 release of Black Ops 6, Steam player counts have plummeted dramatically. While data for PlayStation and Xbox remains unavailable, the over 47% drop in Steam players strongly suggests a significant exodus, likely fueled by the persistent hacking and server problems. This mass exodus underscores the severity of the situation and the potential long-term impact on the franchise's popularity. The community's frustration is clear: fixing the game should take precedence over selling new cosmetic items.