Tag: Activision

  • Cheating in Call of Duty: Hackers Disconnect Black Ops 6 Players

    Cheating in Call of Duty: Hackers Disconnect Black Ops 6 Players

    Activision is facing significant troubles in their efforts to fight cheaters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone. Even with the Season 2 update that promised to tackle the issue, hackers have found new ways to disconnect players from matches. A user named ItsHapa shared a video on X showing an in-game tool that methodically boots players from games. As a result, there were so many disconnections that one team had to forfeit.

    Popularity Attracts Cheaters

    Both Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and the free-to-play Warzone are known for their exciting and fast-paced gameplay. This popularity makes them prime targets for cheaters who aim to ruin the experience or gain unfair advantages. Cheating in Call of Duty also poses a risk to a thriving esports scene, where huge amounts of money are involved.

    Activision’s Response

    In light of ongoing criticism, Activision has updated its Ricochet anti-cheat system. This security feature operates at a driver level to smartly identify the use of aimbots and other cheating methods. Since the launch of ranked play in Call of Duty: Warzone back in December, Activision has reportedly banned over 130,000 cheaters. However, the powerful tool highlighted by ItsHapa shows it only takes a few bad actors to disrupt competitive gaming for everyone.

    Community Frustration

    When Season 2 launched on January 28th, Activision was optimistic that the improved Ricochet anti-cheat would stop cheating attempts. The company accelerated investigations and flagged players who were linked to known offenders. Console gamers also have the option to avoid playing against PC users, where much of the cheating happens. Still, community frustration has reached a peak, as reactions to ItsHapa’s video show.

    Activision has not yet addressed the specific mass-kicking tool that is causing such distress among players. According to SteamCharts, which tracks both Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone together, there has been a noticeable decline in player numbers since December. It’s evident that gamers may seek other shooting games until the cheating issues in Call of Duty are effectively resolved.

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  • Popular $40 3D Platformer Joins Xbox Game Pass Unexpectedly

    Popular $40 3D Platformer Joins Xbox Game Pass Unexpectedly

    Microsoft has made a big announcement on X, revealing that starting on November 12, Game Pass subscribers can enjoy a remastered version of the beloved PlayStation 1 game, Spyro. The rights to this franchise now belong to Activision, which has teamed up with developers Toys for Bob and Iron Galaxy Studios to bring the Spyro Reignited Trilogy to life in 2018.

    Nostalgic Gameplay

    For those who grew up in the early PlayStation days, “Spyro the Dragon” is a name that resonates. Alongside titles like Super Mario 64 and Crash Bandicoot, it stands as one of the pioneering 3D platformers. What makes “Spyro” unique from its contemporaries is its open level design, allowing players to explore at their own pace.

    A Classic Series

    The series features three main games that launched annually from 1998 to 2000. In the original game, players embark on a quest to free fellow dragons who have been trapped in crystal by the villain Gnasty Gnorc. The sequel, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage, has players saving the enchanting land of Avalar from the wicked wizard Ripto. Finally, in Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon, the mission shifts to rescuing dragon eggs from an evil witch.

    Retro Charm

    The gameplay delivers that classic platformer feeling. Players can hop between platforms, soar through the skies, and use Spyro’s fiery breath to tackle foes and overcome challenges. While the core mechanics remain consistent across all three games, some new abilities are introduced. Starting in Spyro 2, players gain the ability to swim and climb. The third game even brings in side characters like the kangaroo Sheila and the yeti Bentley for added fun.

    For retro enthusiasts, the Reignited Trilogy is a must-try, whether you’re revisiting Spyro or discovering it for the first time. The reviews are quite commendable as well. On Steam, where the collection is priced at around $40, 93% of nearly 12,000 players have shared positive feedback. Additionally, on Metacritic, the trilogy boasts a Metascore of 82 and a user score of 8.3.

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  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 QA Staff Strike for Better Conditions

    Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 QA Staff Strike for Better Conditions

    More than 300 workers at Activision’s Eden Prairie office in Minnesota have initiated a strike in response to the company’s return-to-work policy. The employees argue that Microsoft is enforcing a rigid return-to-office rule "even though they have been successfully working from home or in a hybrid model for over two years."

    Concerns Over Treatment

    This team is involved with the Call of Duty series, which includes the newly launched Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Many team members feel that the company’s refusal to meet their demands is an attempt to push them to leave. They claim that Activision does not accommodate workers with ADA-certified medical conditions.

    Statement from Employees

    In a post by ABK (Activision Blizzard King) Workers Alliance on X, the group expressed that they were "made to come into the office full-time under an unfair policy" starting in January. They mention that the company has ignored their inquiries about the necessity of in-office work, directing them instead to the "Bargaining Committee."

    Disrespect and Irony

    Reports suggest that the company showed a lack of respect for its employees by sending an email for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which included an image of a person with a disability working from home. Meanwhile, employees are not permitted to use "this vital resource for equal access." They also criticize the company for "promoting DE&I while they consistently failing them."

    CWA 7250, @ABetterABK on X

    Image Source: Call of Duty

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