Popular Call of Duty cheat provider, Phantom Overlay, is reportedly ceasing operations.
A Telegram announcement stated the provider wouldn't disclose the reason for its immediate closure, adding: "This isn't an exit scam; no external force pressured this decision. Services will remain online for 32 days to ensure all customers receive full value for their purchases." This extension specifically covers those with 30-day keys, while lifetime key holders will receive partial refunds.
The shutdown's impact extends beyond Phantom Overlay. Many other cheat providers rely on its infrastructure, potentially disrupting the entire cheating ecosystem.
Online reactions were mixed. One X (formerly Twitter) user exclaimed, "I can't believe it!! Does this mean the Season 3 cheat update is really gonna work?!" However, others remained unconvinced, suggesting a rebranding or the continued operation under different names.
AnswerSee ResultsActivision recently acknowledged its Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 anti-cheat measures ("did not hit the mark" at Season 1 launch), particularly impacting Ranked Play despite initial promises of one-hour bans. However, Activision assures players that improved Ricochet Anti-Cheat systems are resulting in frequent bans and cites over 19,000 recently removed accounts.
The persistent cheating problem is widely considered detrimental to competitive multiplayer, leading to criticism of Activision's response. The situation escalated to the point where console Ranked players were allowed to disable crossplay with PC players in Season 2.
While cheating isn't unique to Call of Duty, it's become more prevalent since the 2020 release of the free-to-play Warzone. Despite substantial investment in anti-cheat technology and legal action against cheat developers (with recent successes), player skepticism towards Ricochet persists.
Separately, further details regarding the anticipated return of the popular Call of Duty Warzone Verdansk map are expected on March 10th.
