COD Cheat Maker Claims Shutdown, Faces Player Skepticism

Popular Call of Duty cheat provider, Phantom Overlay, has announced its imminent shutdown. In a Telegram statement, the provider offered no specific reason for the immediate closure, stating only that it's not an exit scam and will remain online for 32 days to ensure those with 30-day keys receive their full value. Lifetime key holders will also receive partial refunds. This closure is significant because many other cheat providers rely on Phantom Overlay's systems, potentially impacting the wider cheating ecosystem.

The news sparked mixed reactions online. Some gamers expressed excitement, speculating about the implications for future cheat updates. Others remained skeptical, suggesting a rebranding or the continued operation under different names.

Activision recently acknowledged that its Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 anti-cheat measures fell short of expectations at the Season 1 launch, particularly in Ranked Play, despite initial promises of swift action against cheaters. However, Activision assures players that it's actively banning cheaters at an increased rate thanks to its Ricochet Anti-Cheat system and recently removed over 19,000 accounts.

The persistent issue of cheating in Call of Duty, especially since the launch of the free-to-play Warzone in 2020, has drawn significant criticism. Despite substantial investment in anti-cheat technology and legal action against cheat makers, skepticism about the effectiveness of the Ricochet system remains.

In other news, further details regarding the return of the popular Verdansk map in Call of Duty Warzone are expected to be revealed on March 10th.