In a surprising turn of events, Call of Duty, one of the most iconic and enduring franchises in the gaming industry, has hit a record low player count on Steam. According to data from SteamDB, the game’s concurrent player count recently dropped to just over 54,000, marking a significant decline from its all-time peak of 223,000 in November 2022. This development has sparked widespread discussion among fans and industry analysts, raising questions about the factors behind the decline and what it means for the future of the franchise.
The drop in player count comes despite a strong start for Call of Duty earlier this year. The launch of Black Ops 6 was met with a positive reception, with many players praising it as a return to form for the series. Additionally, Warzone, the free-to-play battle royale component of the franchise, has seen regular updates and limited-time events designed to keep players engaged. However, these efforts appear to have fallen short on Steam, where the player base has dwindled to a fraction of its former size.
One of the key factors behind the decline seems to be growing dissatisfaction among players. Over the past year, the Call of Duty franchise has been at the center of several controversies that have alienated portions of its fanbase. One major point of contention has been the introduction of AI-driven features, which some players feel detract from the traditional Call of Duty experience. Additionally, the addition of skins that clash with the game’s aesthetic or are perceived as pay-to-win has drawn criticism. Many players argue that these decisions prioritize monetization over gameplay quality, leading to frustration and disengagement.
Another significant issue is the implementation of skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), which has been a contentious topic within the Call of Duty community for years. While SBMM is designed to create balanced matches, many players feel it makes the game overly competitive and less enjoyable for casual players. This has led to complaints that matches feel predetermined, with the outcome often decided before the game even begins. For a franchise that has historically thrived on its accessibility and casual appeal, this shift toward a more competitive environment may be driving players away.
The decline of Steam is particularly noteworthy given the platform’s importance in the gaming ecosystem. Steam is one of the largest digital distribution platforms for PC games, and a drop in player count on this platform can be seen as a barometer of broader trends. While Call of Duty remains popular on consoles and through Xbox Game Pass, the Steam metrics suggest that the franchise may be struggling to maintain its appeal among PC gamers. This could be due to a variety of factors, including the increasing competition in the first-person shooter (FPS) genre and the growing popularity of free-to-play games like Apex Legends and Valorant.
Despite the record low on Steam, it’s important to note that Call of Duty is far from being a dying franchise. The game continues to perform well on other platforms, and the recent launch of Black Ops 6 has brought in a significant number of players. However, the decline of Steam serves as a wake-up call for Activision, the publisher behind the franchise. To regain its footing, Call of Duty may need to address the concerns of its player base and make meaningful changes to its gameplay and monetization strategies.
