Following the release of Black Ops 6, Call of Duty appears to have experienced a substantial decline in popularity.  Steam Charts data reveals a significant 37% decrease in average player count over the past month. While a post-launch dip is expected, Black Ops 6's decline appears steeper than previous titles.

Black Ops 6 was a significant entry for the franchise, introducing new mechanics that reshaped the gameplay.  The campaign received widespread acclaim, particularly after previous installments fell short in single-player experiences. The return of beloved maps and exciting new features initially suggested a recipe for success, but the initial hype seems to have faded considerably.

A resurgence of interest in Black Ops 2 is brewing within the Call of Duty community, with players planning a return to the 12-year-old title.

Recent data highlights the player drop-off in Black Ops 6.  Steam Charts shows a loss of over 60,000 players in 30 days, representing 37% of the average post-launch player base. Peak player counts, which once exceeded 300,000 in November, have now fallen below 200,000.  Despite this PC trend, Black Ops 6 remains popular on consoles, holding its position as the second most-played game on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Several factors are cited by fans as contributing to the decline.  Concerns over the potential inclusion of AI-generated content in Black Ops 6 have been voiced. Some also believe the game offers fewer events compared to Modern Warfare 3, leading to decreased engagement.  With the next season still some time away, there's a lack of anticipated major updates.

However, the game's map design may be the most significant factor.  Black Ops 6's maps have drawn criticism, despite the inclusion of some fan favorites. Some argue that Nuketown is the primary draw for many players.  Additionally, a perceived increase in cheating since the game's release is thought to be contributing to the decline, particularly on PC.