Call of Duty Faces Backlash for Prioritizing Store Bundles Over Game Issues
Activision's recent promotion of a new Squid Game-themed 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 outrage stems from the company's perceived failure to address critical in-game issues while simultaneously promoting cosmetic purchases.
Both Warzone and Black Ops 6 are plagued by rampant cheating in Ranked Play, persistent server problems, and other game-breaking bugs. Professional players, including prominent figures like Scump, have publicly voiced their concerns, stating the franchise is in its worst state ever. This sentiment is echoed by a significant portion of the player base.
The Controversial Tweet
On January 8th, Activision used the official Call of Duty Twitter account to promote a new store bundle featuring Squid Game's VIPs. This promotional effort, however, was met with widespread condemnation. Players, citing the ongoing technical issues, accused Activision of being tone-deaf and prioritizing profits over player experience.
Community Response
The response was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Influential content creators like FaZe Swagg urged Activision to "read the room," while news outlets like CharlieIntel highlighted the severity of the Ranked Play problems. Many players, such as Twitter user Taeskii, declared boycotts of future store bundles until the anti-cheat measures are significantly improved.
Declining Player Base
The frustration is further amplified by a dramatic drop in Black Ops 6's player count on Steam since its October 2024 release. Over 47% of players have abandoned the game on this platform, a significant indicator of widespread dissatisfaction likely linked to the prevalent hacking and server issues. While data for other platforms (PlayStation and Xbox) is unavailable, the Steam statistics suggest a broader trend of player attrition. The situation leaves the future of Call of Duty uncertain amidst the growing player discontent.
