Prolific Call of Duty Cheat Developer Insists It's Shutting Down — but Players Are Skeptical

Call of Duty cheat provider, Phantom Overlay, has announced its imminent shutdown. A Telegram statement revealed the closure will be immediate, with no explanation given beyond a commitment to remain online for 32 days. This extended period aims to ensure customers with 30-day keys receive their full value, and lifetime key holders will receive partial refunds. The closure's impact extends beyond Phantom Overlay, as many other cheat providers rely on its systems.

Reactions on X (formerly Twitter) were mixed. Some gamers expressed disbelief and speculated on the implications for Season 3 cheat updates, while others suspected a rebranding or the continuation of cheating under different names.

Activision acknowledged that its Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 anti-cheat measures fell short at the Season 1 launch, particularly in Ranked Play, despite earlier promises of swift action against cheaters. While admitting initial failures, Activision assures players that its Ricochet Anti-Cheat systems are now actively banning cheaters, citing increased efficiency and over 19,000 recently removed accounts.

The ongoing issue of cheating in Call of Duty, especially impacting competitive multiplayer, has drawn criticism. The problem worsened with the release of the free-to-play Warzone in 2020. Despite significant investment in anti-cheat technology and legal action against cheat makers, skepticism remains among fans regarding the Ricochet system's effectiveness.

Further news indicates that more information about the return of Call of Duty Warzone's Verdansk map is expected on March 10th.