Call of Duty is currently navigating through challenging times, and it's not solely due to the declining player numbers, as evidenced by SteamDB data. In anticipation of the second season of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the developers have provided updates on their ongoing battle against cheaters. Since the introduction of the ranked mode in November 2024, the team has taken decisive action by suspending over 136,000 accounts. They are committed to continuously refining their anti-cheat measures to ensure a fair gaming environment.
Additionally, the developers have announced enhancements to server configurations, promising improved connection quality in the future. However, these assurances have not been met with optimism from the community. The situation is dire enough that prominent content creators are openly questioning the developers' claims. Reddit is rife with posts from players who report no noticeable improvements in server quality or matchmaking.
Player fatigue with Call of Duty is palpable, and terms like SBMM (Skill-Based Matchmaking) and EOMM (Engagement Optimized Matchmaking) have become contentious within the community. This crisis of trust is unmistakable, and it remains uncertain how, or even if, Activision will be able to address and resolve these issues effectively.