Call of Duty is currently navigating through challenging times, and it's not solely due to the declining player numbers, as indicated by SteamDB statistics. As the second season of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 approaches, the developers have provided updates on their ongoing battle against cheaters. Since the introduction of the ranked mode in November 2024, over 136,000 accounts have been suspended, and the team is committed to continuously enhancing their anti-cheat measures.
In addition to combating cheating, the developers have announced enhancements to server configurations, promising improved connection quality in the future. However, these assurances are met with skepticism. The situation is dire when notable content creators publicly challenge the developers' claims, and Reddit threads are rife with posts indicating that players have not experienced any significant 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 to be seen how, or even if, Activision will be able to address and resolve these issues effectively.