Call of Duty Faces Widespread Player Discontent in 2025 Over Perceived Stagnation and Matchmaking Issues

The "Call of Duty" franchise is currently experiencing significant player dissatisfaction in August 2025, fueled by ongoing concerns regarding perceived stagnation in game development and controversial matchmaking systems. This sentiment was succinctly captured by social media user tae kim, who stated in a recent tweet, "> Gamers are not happy with this year’s Call of Duty. Oof." This widespread unhappiness points to deeper issues within the annual release model.

Player frustration largely centers on accusations of "lazy" development and a lack of significant innovation in recent titles, particularly "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6," which was the most recent major release. Despite some positive opinions, the game has been met with negative reviews from a vocal segment of the community. This criticism often highlights a feeling that new entries offer insufficient advancements to justify their yearly release.

A major point of contention among the player base remains the implementation of skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) and engagement-optimized matchmaking (EOMM). Many players allege that these systems manipulate gameplay experiences to encourage continued engagement and spending rather than fostering fair competition. As one Reddit user articulated, "> You’re basically a Pavlov Pigeon in Activision’s finger tips, manipulated to spend money on the game through predetermined match outcomes tailored to drain your soul and wallet."

Looking ahead, Treyarch and Raven Software, developers of the upcoming "Call of Duty: Black Ops 7," have actively addressed the "lazy" accusations. They emphasize the game's ambitious features, including a co-op campaign, a new "Endgame" mode, and a large Zombies map. However, the challenge of developing back-to-back "Black Ops" titles raises concerns about potential time constraints and the risk of the new installment feeling like a mere extension of its predecessor.

The ongoing debate reflects a broader industry trend where annual releases in major franchises struggle to meet evolving player expectations for innovation and quality. While developers aim to deliver fresh experiences, the consistent flow of new titles often leads to a perception of recycled content and unaddressed core issues. The long-term impact on player retention and the franchise's reputation remains a critical challenge for Activision.