Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Cheating Exposed, Activision Accused of Misleading Claims

A video showcasing a hacking tool capable of removing players from Black Ops 6 matches emerged online in late January. Activision responded, stating the footage originated from the Black Ops 6 multiplayer beta and that the vulnerability was patched before the game's November release. They emphasized the video doesn't reflect the current game state and that they investigate all such reports.

However, players dispute Activision's claim, citing ongoing use of the tool. Evidence presented includes a video demonstrating the program's functionality during a match on the Nuketown map—a map added to Black Ops 6 a week post-launch.

According to Circana analysts, Black Ops 6 was the best-selling game in the US last year, continuing the Call of Duty franchise's 16-year reign at the top of the US gaming market. Meanwhile, EA Sports College Football 25, launched in July, claimed the title of most played sports game in the US.

Despite a 1.1% year-over-year decline in overall US gamer spending in 2024, Circana attributes this to reduced hardware sales, noting a 2% increase in add-on spending and a 6% rise in service spending. Black Ops 6 and Warzone 2's second season, featuring a ninja theme and a "Terminator" crossover, launched January 28th.