"Call of Duty Bans 135,000 Accounts, Fans Remain Skeptical"

Call of Duty is currently navigating challenging times, and it's not just the declining player numbers (as reflected by 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 cheating. Since the introduction of the ranked mode in November 2024, they've taken decisive action by suspending over 136,000 accounts. The team is committed to continuously refining their anti-cheat measures to ensure a fairer gaming environment.

In addition to tackling cheating, the developers have promised improvements in server configurations, aiming to enhance connection quality for players. However, these assurances are met with skepticism. The situation is dire when even prominent content creators publicly challenge the developers' claims, and Reddit is brimming 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 erosion of trust is glaring, and it's uncertain whether Activision will be able to address these issues effectively. The community's frustration and skepticism underscore the urgency for the developers to deliver on their promises and restore faith among the players.