Scump Expresses Concerns Over Call of Duty’s Future Amid Declining Player Count in Black Ops 6

Former professional Call of Duty player, Scump, has expressed concerns regarding the future of the franchise amid a significant decline in player engagement for Black Ops 6.

Black Ops 6: Promising Launch Met with Challenges

Launched in October 2024, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 initially received widespread acclaim from both dedicated fans and players returning to the franchise. The campaign garnered praise, and the multiplayer experience also received positive feedback.

Following its release, the game achieved remarkable engagement metrics, boasting what Activision termed the “biggest Call of Duty ever.” However, this early success has not been sustainable, leading to growing concerns from the community.

Concerns Over Declining Player Numbers

Despite a strong start, the player base for Black Ops 6 has experienced a sharp decline, primarily attributed to issues such as rampant cheating, problems with Ranked Play, and various other technical difficulties. This decline has affected not just Black Ops 6 but also Warzone, leading to a notable drop in active players.

Scump Raises Alarm on CoD’s Future

During a recent livestream of *Marvel Rivals*, Scump voiced his frustrations regarding the dwindling player base, stating, “…people are abandoning CoD right now! I mean, f**k me, what is going on with CoD?”This candid remark highlights the growing discontent among players.

Scump noted that the acquisition of Activision by Microsoft gave him hope for a smoother trajectory for the franchise. However, the ongoing cheating issues and problems within the Ranked mode, worsened by the decision to maintain cross-play, have raised serious concerns.

Scump on the DOWNFALL of CoD: “What’s going on? People are abandoning CoD…”pic.twitter.com/Y3UzVjbF4J

— SpawnUp⬆️(CDL Clips) (@SpawnUpgg) December 24, 2024

Player Count Statistics: A Troubling Trend

The statistics illustrate a concerning trend—Black Ops 6 peaked at over 300,000 concurrent players on Steam at launch but has since seen that number plummet below 100,000, according to Steam Charts. This figure, while indicative, represents only a portion of the player base, as many gamers access the title on consoles or via Game Pass.

Despite these challenges, Call of Duty remains one of the most played titles on Steam, which may indicate that the franchise still holds significant appeal. Moreover, a holiday influx of players is expected, particularly with the launch of a Double XP weekend starting December 25.

Future Updates and Player Sentiment

As the community reflects on the current state of the game, many players have expressed their frustration. Activision has announced plans to implement anti-cheat improvements starting in 2025, a move that players hope will restore some of their confidence in the title.

With the future of Call of Duty hanging in the balance, it remains to be seen how these changes will influence player retention and overall satisfaction.

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