Call of Duty Faces Backlash for Prioritizing Store Bundles Over Game Issues

Activision's recent promotional tweet for 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 responses, 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.

Multiple game-breaking problems, including rampant cheating in Ranked Play, persistent server issues, and a general decline in game stability, have plagued Black Ops 6 and Warzone since the October 25, 2024 release of the latest title. Even professional players, like Scump, have publicly declared the franchise's current state as its worst ever. This sentiment is echoed by the significant drop in Steam player counts for Black Ops 6, with over 47% of players abandoning the game since launch. While platform-specific data for PlayStation and Xbox remains unavailable, the Steam numbers strongly suggest a widespread player exodus.

The controversial tweet, promoting a VIP-themed bundle from the Call of Duty x Squid Game collaboration, served as the final straw for many. Influential figures like FaZe Swagg and CharlieIntel joined the chorus of discontent, criticizing Activision's inability to "read the room" and prioritizing profit over fixing the game's core issues. Many players, including Taeskii, have vowed to boycott future store bundles until the anti-cheat measures are significantly improved.

The situation underscores a serious concern within the Call of Duty community: a perceived lack of responsiveness from Activision to player concerns. The overwhelming negative reaction to the promotional tweet signals a potential crisis for the franchise, raising questions about the long-term health and sustainability of the Call of Duty brand.