'Call of Duty' Sparks Controversy with Tweet amid Hacks

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 within the Call of Duty community. A tweet promoting 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 significant problems plaguing both Warzone and Black Ops 6, including rampant cheating in Ranked Play, persistent server issues, and other game-breaking bugs. Instead of addressing these concerns, Activision's focus on new store bundles has pushed many players to the breaking point.

This negative reaction comes after a strong initial reception for Black Ops 6 upon its October 25, 2024 release. However, the game's popularity has significantly waned in recent weeks. Even professional players like Scump have publicly stated that the franchise is in its worst state ever.

Activision's Tweet Ignites Controversy

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 address the community's concerns, while CharlieIntel highlighted the severe limitations imposed by the broken Ranked Play mode. Many players, such as Taeskii, vowed to boycott store purchases until the anti-cheat measures are improved.

Player Exodus on Steam

The discontent extends beyond angry tweets; many players are abandoning the game. Steam player counts for Black Ops 6 have plummeted since its release, with a staggering 47% decrease. While data for other platforms (PlayStation and Xbox) is unavailable, this significant drop strongly suggests widespread dissatisfaction stemming from persistent hacking and server problems. The future of Call of Duty hangs in the balance as the community demands action.