New Call of Duty Tweet Sparks Outrage Amidst Ongoing Hacking Issues

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 apparent prioritization of in-game purchases over addressing persistent and game-breaking issues plaguing both Warzone and Black Ops 6.

Both titles are currently suffering from significant problems, including rampant cheating in Ranked Play, debilitating server issues, and more. This has led to a sharp decline in player numbers, with Steam statistics revealing a 47% drop in Black Ops 6 players since its October 2024 release. Even prominent professional players, like Scump, have voiced their concerns, stating the franchise is in its worst state ever.

Activision's tone-deaf tweet

The January 8th tweet promoting the new Squid Game VIP bundle was the final straw for many. Instead of acknowledging the widespread complaints regarding hacking, server instability, and overall gameplay issues, Activision chose to focus on monetization. This perceived lack of responsiveness has been widely condemned as Activision failing to "read the room."

Player outrage and consequences

The response has been swift and intense. Influencers like FaZe Swagg have publicly called out Activision's lack of attention to player concerns. Others, like CharlieIntel, highlighted the absurdity of prioritizing new bundles while Ranked Play remains virtually unplayable for many. Many players, including Taeskii, have vowed to boycott store purchases until the anti-cheat measures are significantly improved.

The combination of persistent game issues and Activision's promotional strategy is driving players away. While exact figures for PlayStation and Xbox are unavailable, the significant Steam player drop suggests a broader trend of player attrition, likely fueled by frustration over the unresolved technical problems and Activision's perceived indifference. The future of Call of Duty hinges on Activision's ability to address these core gameplay issues and regain the trust of its dwindling player base.