I forced myself to play ranked in Call of Duty: Warzone to see if it’s as miserable as everyone says it is

If you’re a player of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 or Warzone, or even if you casually keep up with the game, you might have noticed a lot of discussion about the ineffective anti-cheat system. Since ranked play was introduced to both games, it has turned into an endless wellspring of irritation and annoyance for players because these modes are plagued by cheaters.

I haven’t been particularly drawn to Warzone, but I do enjoy watching content creators play. Some might label those who get eliminated as bitter, but more often than not, that’s not the case. It becomes quite clear when players are using unauthorized methods, and it’s making the gameplay experience incredibly frustrating.

How severe is the issue? I reluctantly embarked on the ranked battle in Warzone, and I must say it aligns with my beliefs. Cheating is rampant, not just in the lower leagues, but also in non-ranked Resurgence lobbies. It seems that cheaters have to employ cheats even before they can enter ranked matches, as they need to meet certain requirements by manipulating the game in non-ranked games first.

What do these cheaters actually do?

In a cheater’s toolkit, you’re likely to encounter tools like aim assistants (aimbots) and wall penetration software (wall hacks). If you’re curious about how they function, the video above has been created by someone who offers these types of cheats, so feel free to check it out.

Are you comprehending why it might be one of, if not the worst, current gaming ordeals? It seems quite puzzling how such content can exist within a game that claims to have anti-cheating measures.

Using wall hacks, a dishonest player can pinpoint the location of every other player on the map, even when they are out of view. This advantage not only allows for wall-banging but also preemptive shooting, especially in Warzone. How do you stand a chance against someone who’s already firing at you as soon as you step out from cover?

An aimbot, as the name suggests, is a tool used by cheaters to automatically and accurately align their crosshair with an opponent, even if the opponent isn’t visible. When they become visible, you’ll likely be hit with near-perfect accuracy, often resulting in headshots, multiple times in succession.

Apart from their deceitful actions, these malicious entities (let me emphasize that I don’t refer to them as players) are known to find ways to hide beneath the map. This gives them an advantage of being able to attack players who are above them, while they remain untouched and invulnerable to damage.

By the way, here’s an interesting twist: If these dishonest players are ultimately banned, some react by flooding the lobby as they wouldn’t lose their ill-gotten Skill Rating (SR) if the game unexpectedly shuts down.

Frankly, it’s quite revolting. But that’s not all – there are numerous players who seem to be benefiting from an extraordinary aim assistance, which suggests they might be using a device like the Cronus with their controllers.

My own experience isn’t AS bad, but it’s bad enough to make me not want to play anymore

Indeed, as you climb up the ranks, it becomes increasingly irritating to encounter cheaters. With each level, you need to invest more Season Rank (SR) just to join a game, making the probability of ending up on the losing side higher even before the match begins.

For content creators as well, it’s crucial to remember that playing Warzone is essentially their means of earning a living. They spend each day immersed in the game, providing entertainment for their followers. Imagine if, at work, someone intentionally disrupted your daily routine without any valid reason? That’s how they might feel when their gaming experience is deliberately hindered.

I’m not boasting about my skills in this game, I’d say I’m just average or slightly above. I can keep up in multiplayer matches and overall, it’s been fun so far. I enjoy playing Black Ops 6. I believe the game is solid fundamentally, but much like Warzone, the ineffective anti-cheat system will unfortunately persist in creating doubts.

Have you found Warzone enjoyable for me so far? Not really. It’s less challenging to prevent losing SR in the lower divisions, but even on my climb up to Silver III, I can barely count the instances of cheaters who have spoiled a good game. It’s always a mix of wall hacks and aimbots. After watching a kill-cam, it’s evident as day how someone has been tracking me precisely, then instantly hits me with spot-on headshots the moment I appear.

In lower-level gaming arenas where losing ranking isn’t usually an issue, I’ve encountered three games that unexpectedly crashed in the middle. Clear indications of the game briefly freezing and jerking before booting us back to the lobby are unmistakable signs.

What is Activision actually doing with Ricochet?

The situation raises curiosity about what exactly Activision has been working on with Ricochet. It seems to be ineffective despite significant resources being poured into its creation and implementation. Essentially, it’s a poor use of funds, offering no tangible benefits.

Absolutely, the team responsible for anti-cheat measures isn’t the one handling cosmetic items development. It’s understandable that players might feel frustrated when they see an overabundance of premium items being released while a significant game issue persists unaddressed. The game seems to be malfunctioning, yet here we are with a Squid Game collaboration.

It’s quite ironic how swiftly the pricing problem with the Hella Fresh bundle in the store was resolved, while there seems to be a delay in addressing players’ concerns about fixing bugs and improving the functionality of the anti-cheat system. The ball just keeps getting passed from one place to another on that issue.

Ultimately, the main issue lies with subpar customer service. While Warzone can be played without cost, Black Ops 6 requires payment, and yet they share the same anti-cheat system. Unfortunately, users of both games, but particularly those in Warzone at the moment, appear to be experiencing problems and feeling overlooked. Additionally, the frequent promotion of premium bundles within a $70 game is a topic for another conversation, but when coupled with an unpleasant competitive gaming experience, it’s detracting from the enjoyment of Call of Duty for honest players.

It’s time for Microsoft to take action and make significant moves. The Call of Duty franchise, which has been a major revenue generator for the company following its acquisition, is currently in a less-than-impressive condition.

An alternative approach might be creating separate leaderboards, one for cross-platform gaming (PC/Console) and another exclusive to consoles. By isolating the PC category, the gameplay experience would transform significantly.

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2025-01-13 18:39