It’s no secret that Warzone, Call of Duty’s beloved battle royale mode, has seen its fair share of ups and downs.
But the most recent update, featuring the Squid Game crossover, has left players more frustrated than ever.
While the event promised to add exciting new content, it has instead highlighted just how broken the game has become.
I recently attempted to jump into Warzone with friends to try out the much-hyped Squid Game mode. What was meant to be an exciting experience quickly turned into an hour-long disaster.
During our first match, one of my friends froze on the loading screen and had to restart his game entirely. We didn’t let it discourage us. We thought, “Let’s give it another shot.”
But on our second attempt, he faced the exact same issue. We switched to Rebirth Island, hoping a different map might help, but once again, he was frozen out.
This time, I made it into the match alone, but my friends were kicked out entirely. Feeling like we’d been hit by a glitch wave, we tried again.
This time, the error we encountered read: “Our level fastfile is different from the server.” This baffling message kicked me out of the game, but I was still in the party.
My friends managed to load into the match, but as soon as they left to rejoin me, the game froze yet again.
After several more attempts, we were all trapped on the loading screen, wasting a good 45 minutes of our time with nothing to show for it.
It wasn’t just us. After some searching on the Warzone subreddit, I discovered countless posts from players experiencing identical issues.
Crashes, game freezes, players being kicked, and matches failing to load were just the beginning of the frustration.
These new bugs were just one part of the larger issue, however. Players have been dealing with persistent desync problems, frame rate dips, connection issues, and a slew of other technical flaws for quite some time.
Add these to the ever-growing issue of rampant cheating, particularly in Ranked mode, and you have a recipe for disaster.
The problems have become so severe that Warzone’s player base is shrinking. Streamers are seeing fewer viewers, and many players are abandoning the game in favour of something more stable.
A month after Black Ops 6 launched, its Steam player count dropped by a staggering 50%, and Warzone’s community seems to be following suit. What was once an exciting and competitive environment is now a chaotic, bug-ridden mess.
As a long-time player, my excitement for Warzone has been steadily diminishing. The Squid Game update, which was meant to revitalize the game, has only intensified my disillusionment.
But while it’s easy to complain, the truth is that Warzone still has the potential to be one of the best shooters on the market.
The issue lies in how the game is managed.
What Needs to Change?
To fix the issues plaguing Warzone, the developers need to take a step back and focus on the core experience.
Rather than continuously adding new content, Activision should prioritize stabilizing the game and addressing the long-standing problems that have been ignored for too long.
Here’s what Warzone needs to get back on track:
- Prioritize Stability Over New Content
The constant flow of updates and new modes is great, but it often comes at the expense of quality. Instead of adding new content like the Squid Game mode, the focus should be on fixing the existing issues—like the game’s constant crashes, freezes, and connection problems. Stability should be the main priority for the next update. - Address the Cheating Problem
Cheating has become rampant, especially in Ranked mode. Players regularly encounter suspiciously talented opponents who seem to have an unfair advantage, whether through hacks or exploits. Activision’s promise of a kernel-level anti-cheat system could be a game-changer, but it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to curb the cheating epidemic. The current state of cheating is so severe that it makes Ranked mode almost unplayable. Fixing this issue is crucial for restoring player trust. - Fix Connection Issues and Bugs
Connection issues and bugs are the most immediate problem facing Warzone. Players should be able to jump into a match without worrying about game freezes, desync, or being kicked from their squad. The game needs to be optimized for smoother gameplay, with a stronger focus on server performance and bug fixes. These issues aren’t new, and they’ve been a recurring problem for months. - Simplify the Weapon Pool
Another area in dire need of attention is the game’s vast array of weapons. Warzone has become bloated with a huge selection of guns, many of which are unbalanced or have become obsolete. Rather than continuing to add more, Activision should focus on balancing the existing weapons. A more streamlined arsenal would result in a better experience, as players wouldn’t have to deal with broken, underperforming guns. - Revitalize the Map and Gameplay Mechanics
Warzone could also benefit from a return to simpler, more classic mechanics. The reintroduction of Verdansk or even a completely new map with fewer gimmicks would help reignite interest. Urzikstan, the current map, is uninspiring, with dull terrain and unexciting points of interest. The loot system has also become problematic, with items frequently getting stuck in walls, further complicating the experience. A fresh approach to map design and gameplay would help bring back the magic of earlier Warzone experiences. - Enhance the Gulag Experience
The Gulag in its current state is a letdown. The arena feels uninspired and doesn’t add the same excitement that earlier iterations did. - A more engaging and dynamic Gulag would help reinvigorate the experience and make matches feel more meaningful.
Conclusion
Despite all the issues, Warzone still holds potential, and the Squid Game update could have been a step in the right direction.
However, with technical problems, a broken experience, and a frustrated player base, the game is in desperate need of attention.
If Activision focuses on stabilising the game, addressing cheating, simplifying the weapons, and revisiting the core gameplay mechanics, Warzone could once again become the game that fans fell in love with. Until then, though, the Squid Game update will remain a symbol of how Warzone has fallen into disarray.
By – usaviewsblogs.com