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 monetization over addressing critical, ongoing issues plaguing both Warzone and Black Ops 6.
Warzone and Black Ops 6 are currently grappling with significant problems, including rampant cheating in Ranked Play, persistent server instability, and other game-breaking bugs. Professional players, such as Scump, have openly declared the franchise's current state as its worst ever. This sentiment is echoed by a substantial portion of the player base.
Activision's Tone-Deaf Tweet
The January 8th tweet promoting the new Squid Game VIP bundle is viewed by many as profoundly insensitive. While Black Ops 6 initially received positive reviews, the recent influx of problems has soured the experience for countless players. The community feels Activision is ignoring their concerns, focusing instead on generating revenue through cosmetic purchases.
Player Response and Fallout
The response has been swift and furious. Prominent figures like FaZe Swagg have publicly called out Activision for its apparent inability to "read the room," while others point to the broken Ranked Play mode as a prime example of neglect. Many players, including Taeskii, have vowed to boycott store bundles until the game's anti-cheat measures are significantly improved.
The impact extends beyond angry tweets. Steam data reveals a dramatic decline in Black Ops 6 player numbers since its October 2024 release, with over 47% of players abandoning the game. While data for other platforms is unavailable, this significant drop strongly suggests widespread player dissatisfaction, likely linked to the persistent issues and Activision's perceived lack of response. The future of Call of Duty hangs in the balance as the community's frustration mounts.
