Call of Duty is currently navigating through challenging times, and it's not just the declining player numbers (as observed on SteamDB) that are causing concern. As the second season of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 approaches, the developers have been vocal about their ongoing efforts to combat cheaters. Since the introduction of the ranked mode in November 2024, they've taken decisive action by suspending over 136,000 accounts. The team is also continuously working on enhancing their anti-cheat systems to ensure a fairer playing field for everyone.
In addition to addressing cheating, the developers have promised enhancements to server configurations, aiming to deliver a superior connection quality in the future. However, these assurances have been met with skepticism rather than optimism. The situation appears dire when even prominent content creators publicly challenge the developers' claims. Meanwhile, Reddit is brimming with posts from players who report no tangible improvements in server quality or matchmaking.
The community's frustration with Call of Duty is palpable, with terms like SBMM (Skill-Based Matchmaking) and EOMM (Engagement Optimized Matchmaking) now being viewed as curses. This growing crisis of trust underscores the challenge facing Activision, leaving many to wonder how—or even if—the company can restore confidence among its player base.