"Call of Duty Bans 135,000 Accounts, Fans Skeptical"

Call of Duty is currently navigating through challenging times, and it's not just due to declining player numbers, as evidenced by data from SteamDB. As the second season of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 approaches, the developers have been vocal about their efforts to combat cheating. Since the introduction of the ranked mode in November 2024, over 136,000 accounts have been suspended, with ongoing efforts to enhance anti-cheat measures. Additionally, the developers have promised improvements to server configurations, aiming for better connection quality in the future.

Despite these assurances, the community's response has been less than enthusiastic. The situation appears dire, with prominent content creators openly questioning the developers' claims. Reddit is rife with posts indicating that players have not experienced any tangible improvements in server quality or matchmaking. This skepticism highlights a significant trust deficit within the player base.

Player fatigue with Call of Duty is palpable, and terms like SBMM (Skill-Based Matchmaking) and EOMM (Engagement Optimized Matchmaking) have become sources of frustration within the community. This crisis of trust poses a major challenge for Activision, leaving it uncertain how, or even if, the company will be able to restore confidence among its players.