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 thousands of angry replies, highlights a growing disconnect between Activision and its player base. The outrage stems from the company's perceived prioritization of in-game purchases over addressing critical gameplay issues plaguing both Warzone and Black Ops 6.
Both titles are currently suffering from significant problems, including rampant cheating in Ranked Play, persistent server instability, and other game-breaking bugs. Professional players, such as 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 ill-timed promotional tweet, posted on January 8th, showcasing the new bundle, was met with immediate backlash. Prominent figures like FaZe Swagg urged Activision to "read the room," while others pointed out the absurdity of promoting new content while core gameplay remains severely compromised. Many players, including Twitter user Taeskii, have vowed to boycott store purchases until the anti-cheat measures are significantly improved.
The negative impact is evident in the game's declining player count. Steam statistics reveal a staggering 47% drop in Black Ops 6 players since its October 2024 release, a trend likely attributable to the ongoing issues. While data for other platforms is unavailable, the Steam numbers suggest a significant player exodus. The situation underscores a serious concern for the future of the Call of Duty franchise.
