Activision Faces Backlash Over Tweet Amidst Hacking Concerns

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 from the Call of Duty community. A tweet announcing 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.

Both Warzone and Black Ops 6 are plagued by significant problems, most notably rampant cheating in Ranked Play, alongside persistent server difficulties. This, coupled with Activision's continued focus on promoting microtransactions rather than addressing these critical flaws, has pushed many players to the breaking point.

The situation has escalated since the October 25, 2024 release of Black Ops 6. While initially well-received, the game's popularity has plummeted in recent weeks. Even professional players, such as Scump, have publicly declared the franchise's current state as its worst ever. The overwhelming negative reaction is fueled by a combination of factors, including rampant hacking in Ranked Play, persistent server instability, and other game-breaking bugs.

Activision's Tweet Ignites Controversy

The January 8th tweet promoting the Squid Game VIP bundle proved to be the final straw for many. Influential figures within the Call of Duty community, including FaZe Swagg and CharlieIntel, joined the chorus of criticism, highlighting the disparity between Activision's promotional efforts and the game's deteriorating condition. Players like Taeskii voiced their refusal to purchase any further bundles until the anti-cheat measures are significantly improved.

Player Exodus on Steam

The discontent is translating into tangible player loss. Since Black Ops 6's launch, Steam player counts have dropped dramatically, with over 47% of the initial player base abandoning the game. While data for PlayStation and Xbox remains unavailable, the significant Steam decline strongly suggests widespread dissatisfaction stemming from the persistent hacking and server problems. The community's frustration is clear: fixing the core gameplay experience should take precedence over promoting new cosmetic items.