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 critical, ongoing issues plaguing both Warzone and Black Ops 6.
Both games are currently grappling with significant problems, including rampant cheating in Ranked Play, persistent server instability, and other game-breaking bugs. Prominent Call of Duty players, such as Scump, have publicly declared the franchise to be in its worst state ever. This sentiment is echoed by the sharply declining player count on Steam, with over 47% of Black Ops 6 players abandoning the platform since its October 2024 release. While platform-specific data for PlayStation and Xbox remains unavailable, the Steam statistics strongly suggest widespread player dissatisfaction.
Activision's Tone-Deaf Tweet
The January 8th tweet, promoting a new Squid Game VIP bundle, is seen by many as profoundly tone-deaf. While the Squid Game collaboration continues, the timing of this promotional push, amidst a backdrop of unresolved technical issues and widespread cheating, has angered players. Comments on the post are filled with accusations of Activision failing to "read the room," with content creators like FaZe Swagg and news outlets such as CharlieIntel joining the chorus of disapproval. Many players, like Twitter user Taeskii, have vowed to boycott store purchases until the anti-cheat measures are significantly improved.
The situation underscores a critical challenge for Activision. The overwhelming negative response suggests that the focus on monetization, exemplified by the new bundle, is overshadowing the urgent need to address the core gameplay issues driving players away. The future of Call of Duty may depend on Activision's ability to effectively address these concerns and regain the trust of its community.
