Call of Duty faces significant challenges, extending beyond simply dwindling player counts (as indicated by SteamDB). Prior to the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6's second season, developers provided an update on their ongoing anti-cheat efforts. Since the November 2024 introduction of ranked mode, over 136,000 accounts have been suspended, with ongoing anti-cheat improvements in development.

Further updates include server configuration enhancements, aiming for improved connection stability.

However, this positive outlook is met with skepticism. Leading content creators are publicly questioning the developers' assertions, and Reddit discussions reveal widespread player dissatisfaction with perceived minimal improvements to server quality and matchmaking.

Player burnout is significant within the Call of Duty community, with terms like SBMM (Skill-Based Matchmaking) and EOMM (Engagement Optimized Matchmaking) becoming synonymous with frustration. This erosion of trust is undeniable, and Activision's ability to rectify the situation remains uncertain.