Activision Bans 135K 'Call of Duty' Accounts, Draws Skepticism

Call of Duty faces significant challenges, extending beyond simply dwindling player counts (as evidenced by SteamDB data). Prior to the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6's second season, developers detailed their ongoing efforts to combat cheating. Since the November 2024 introduction of ranked mode, over 136,000 accounts have been suspended, with anti-cheat initiatives continually being enhanced.

Further updates include server configuration improvements, aiming for a more stable online experience.

Despite these announcements, skepticism remains prevalent. Leading content creators are publicly questioning the developers' assertions, while Reddit discussions highlight a perceived lack of improvement in server performance and matchmaking.

Player dissatisfaction with Call of Duty is widespread, with terms like SBMM (Skill-Based Matchmaking) and EOMM (Engagement Optimized Matchmaking) becoming common criticisms. This erosion of trust is undeniable, and Activision's ability to rectify the situation remains uncertain.