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==Incidents==
==Incidents==
===Starcraft 2 Not including LAN Play (2009)===
===Starcraft II not including LAN play (''2009'')===
In 2009, it was announced that Star Craft 2 would not include local area network multiplayer. This came as a shock since LAN play had been a staple of Blizzard's multiplayer games. Blizzard would justify the decision by stating that using their Battle.net service would be the preferred way to play. <ref>https://www.shacknews.com/article/59340/starcraft-2s-non-existent-lan</ref> <ref>https://www.tweaktown.com/news/12681/blizzard_announces_no_lan_support_for_starcraft_ii/index.html</ref>
In 2009, it was announced that Star Craft 2 would not include local area network (LAN) multiplayer. This came as a shock since LAN play had been a staple of Blizzard's multiplayer games. Blizzard would justify the decision by stating that using their Battle.net service would be the preferred way to play.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/59340/starcraft-2s-non-existent-lan |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241115171542/https://www.shacknews.com/article/59340/starcraft-2s-non-existent-lan |archive-date=15 Nov 2024 |title=StarCraft 2's Non-existent LAN Support Explained, Piracy Cited as Key Reason}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/12681/blizzard_announces_no_lan_support_for_starcraft_ii/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250315040559/https://www.tweaktown.com/news/12681/blizzard_announces_no_lan_support_for_starcraft_ii/index.html |archive-date=15 Mar 2025 |title=Blizzard Announces No LAN Support For Starcraft II}}</ref>


===Diablo III Always-On DRM (2011) and Error 37 (2012)===
===Diablo III Always-On DRM (''2011'') and Error 37 (''2012'')===
In August of 2011, Blizzard confirmed that Diablo III would require an internet connection to be played even if users wanted to op-out of the multiplayer components.<ref> {{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Garnet |date=1 August 2011 |title=Diablo 3 requires always-on Internet
In August 2011, Blizzard confirmed that Diablo III would require an internet connection to be played even if users wanted to opt out of the multiplayer components.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Garnet |date=1 Aug 2011 |title=Diablo 3 requires always-on Internet |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/69522/diablo-3-requires-always-on-internet |url-status=live |access-date=26 Jan 2026 |website=ShackNews |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250818195914/https://www.shacknews.com/article/69522/diablo-3-requires-always-on-internet |archive-date=18 Aug 2025}}</ref>
M |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/69522/diablo-3-requires-always-on-internet |url-status=live |access-date=1 26 2026 |website=ShackNews}}</ref>
 
At launch, many players were unable to play game and received Error 37 which indicated that the servers were busy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kain |first=Erik |date=17 May 2012 |title='Diablo III' Fans Should Stay Angry About Always-Online DRM |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/17/diablo-iii-fans-should-stay-angry-about-always-online-drm/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Forbes}}</ref>


At launch, many players were unable to play game and received Error 37 which indicated that the servers were busy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kain |first=Erik |date=17 May 2012 |title='Diablo III' Fans Should Stay Angry About Always-Online DRM |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/17/diablo-iii-fans-should-stay-angry-about-always-online-drm/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Forbes |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251024065743/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/17/diablo-iii-fans-should-stay-angry-about-always-online-drm/ |archive-date=24 Oct 2025}}</ref>




'''Removing access to MWII(2022) and MWIII(2023) through the Call of Duty HQ (2025)'''
'''Removing access to MWII(2022) and MWIII(2023) through the Call of Duty HQ (2025)'''


===Account lock and forced arbitration (2024)===
===Account lock and forced arbitration (''2024'')===
{{Main|Activision Blizzard account lock and forced arbitration}}
{{Main|Activision Blizzard account lock and forced arbitration}}


Activision Blizzard blocked access to Blizzard services, requiring customers to accept [[forced arbitration]] terms in the updated Blizzard [[end-user license agreement]] (EULA).
Activision Blizzard blocked access to Blizzard services, requiring customers to accept [[forced arbitration]] terms in the updated Blizzard [[end-user license agreement]] (EULA).


===Termination of Blizzard's contract with NetEase (2023)===
===Termination of Blizzard's contract with NetEase (''2023'')===
Mainland China lost access to Blizzard's main titles for over a year as a result of licensing agreements going unmet.{{Citation needed}} Following this Overwatch was review-bombed on [[Steam]] and, eventually, acquired by Microsoft Gaming.{{Citation needed}}
Mainland China lost access to Blizzard's main titles for over a year as a result of licensing agreements going unmet.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Craig |first=Danny |date=2023-01-16 |title=NetEase team behind the Chinese versions of Blizzard’s titles has been dissolved {{!}} Hitmarker |url=https://hitmarker.net/news/netease-team-behind-the-chinese-versions-of-blizzards-titles-has-been-dissolved-525541 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250803020541/https://hitmarker.net/news/netease-team-behind-the-chinese-versions-of-blizzards-titles-has-been-dissolved-525541 |archive-date=2025-08-03 |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=Hitmarker}}</ref> Following this Overwatch was review-bombed on [[Steam]] and, eventually, acquired by Microsoft Gaming.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lombardo |first=Cara |last2=Grind |first2=Kirsten |last3=Tilley |first3=Aaron |date=2022-01-18 |title=Microsoft to Buy Activision Blizzard in All-Cash Deal Valued at $75 Billion |url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/microsoft-to-buy-activision-blizzard-games-11642512435 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260112030222/https://www.wsj.com/tech/microsoft-to-buy-activision-blizzard-games-11642512435 |archive-date=2026-01-12 |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=WSJ}}</ref>


===Call of Duty selling AI-generated content (2024 & 2025)===
===Call of Duty selling AI-generated content (''2024 & 2025'')===
[[File:ZombieClaus.jpg|thumb|An example of one of the paid AI-generated loading screens for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6]]
[[File:Activision-Blizzard ZombieClaus.jpg|thumb|An example of one of the paid AI-generated loading screens for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6]]
In late 2024, Activision introduced multiple pieces of content to ''Call of Duty: Black Ops 6'' that were AI-generated.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |title=Call of Duty Fans Give Black Ops 6's Zombie Santa Loading Screen the Finger Amid 'AI Slop' Backlash |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-fans-give-black-ops-6s-zombie-santa-loading-screen-the-finger-amid-ai-slop-backlash |website=IGN |date=9 Dec 2024 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209130211/https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-fans-give-black-ops-6s-zombie-santa-loading-screen-the-finger-amid-ai-slop-backlash |archive-date=9 Dec 2024}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author=Shaun_LaDee |title=Amid the 6 fingered Santa Controversy, I looked into some loading screens included in PAID bundles... |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/CODZombies/comments/1h90fn2/amid_the_6_fingered_santa_controversy_i_looked/  
In late 2024, Activision introduced multiple pieces of content to ''Call of Duty: Black Ops 6'' that were AI-generated.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |title=Call of Duty Fans Give Black Ops 6's Zombie Santa Loading Screen the Finger Amid 'AI Slop' Backlash |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-fans-give-black-ops-6s-zombie-santa-loading-screen-the-finger-amid-ai-slop-backlash |website=IGN |date=9 Dec 2024 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209130211/https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-fans-give-black-ops-6s-zombie-santa-loading-screen-the-finger-amid-ai-slop-backlash |archive-date=9 Dec 2024}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author=Shaun_LaDee |title=Amid the 6 fingered Santa Controversy, I looked into some loading screens included in PAID bundles... |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/CODZombies/comments/1h90fn2/amid_the_6_fingered_santa_controversy_i_looked/  
|website=[[Reddit]] |date=7 Dec 2024 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116055426/https://old.reddit.com/r/CODZombies/comments/1h90fn2/amid_the_6_fingered_santa_controversy_i_looked/ <!-- Had to use "old" domain, new domain was buggy --> |archive-date=16 Jan 2025}}</ref> This content was additionally paywalled, which further upset fans online.<ref name=":0" /> It was not originally disclosed to consumers that this content was in-fact AI-generated, and it was not until Valve changed Steam's disclosure policies that it was confirmed publicly that this content was generated using AI software.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Cole |last=Martin |title=Activision is forced to confirm the use of AI in Call of Duty due to Steam's disclosure policy |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/activision-is-forced-to-confirm-the-use-of-ai-in-call-of-duty-due-to-steams-disclosure-policy |website=Windows Central |date=24 Feb 2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225051549/https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/activision-is-forced-to-confirm-the-use-of-ai-in-call-of-duty-due-to-steams-disclosure-policy |archive-date=25 Feb 2025}}</ref>
|website=[[Reddit]] |date=7 Dec 2024 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116055426/https://old.reddit.com/r/CODZombies/comments/1h90fn2/amid_the_6_fingered_santa_controversy_i_looked/ <!-- Had to use "old" domain, new domain was buggy --> |archive-date=16 Jan 2025}}</ref> This content was additionally paywalled, which further upset fans online.<ref name=":0" /> It was not originally disclosed to consumers that this content was in-fact AI-generated, and it was not until [[Valve]] changed [[Steam]]'s disclosure policies that it was confirmed publicly that this content was generated using AI software.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Cole |last=Martin |title=Activision is forced to confirm the use of AI in Call of Duty due to Steam's disclosure policy |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/activision-is-forced-to-confirm-the-use-of-ai-in-call-of-duty-due-to-steams-disclosure-policy |website=Windows Central |date=24 Feb 2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225051549/https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/activision-is-forced-to-confirm-the-use-of-ai-in-call-of-duty-due-to-steams-disclosure-policy |archive-date=25 Feb 2025}}</ref>


Activision released ''Call of Duty: Black Ops 7'' in late 2025 that contains generative AI in the product. A prominent example of this is the backgrounds for the in-game calling cards, which display art that clearly has been trained on {{Wplink|Studio Ghibli}}'s animation style and contains the usual errors such as extra digits.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Pirat_Nation |title=Pirat_Nation on X |url=https://x.com/Pirat_Nation/status/1989339040945233984 |website=[[X]] |date=14 Nov 2025 |access-date=12 Dec 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/ncB3N |archive-date=15 Nov 2025}}</ref> A user on [[X]] claimed that they were able to refund their copy on Steam despite having completed the campaign, citing a lack of disclosure as to the pervasive usage of AI in the game.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Bricky |title=Bricky on X |url=https://x.com/Bricky/status/1989499501997076647 |website=[[X]] |date=14 Nov 2025 |access-date=12 Dec 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/utQPB |archive-date=13 Dec 2025}}</ref> For its part, Activision had the required Steam disclaimer on the store listing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/3606480/Call_of_Duty_Black_Ops_7/ |archive-url=https://consumerrights.wiki/w/File:Screenshot_20260123_221740.png |archive-date=2026-01-23 |website=Steam |access-date=12 Dec 2025 |url-status=live |url-access=registration |quote=Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in game assets.}}</ref>
Activision released ''Call of Duty: Black Ops 7'' in late 2025 that contains generative AI in the product. A prominent example of this is the backgrounds for the in-game calling cards, which display art that clearly has been trained on {{Wplink|Studio Ghibli}}'s animation style and contains the usual errors such as extra digits.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Kume |date=13 Nov 2025 |title=Kume on X |url=https://nitter.us.catsarch.com/Kumesicles/status/1988981542488797339 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260321131455/https://nitter.us.catsarch.com/Kumesicles/status/1988981542488797339 |archive-date=21 Mar 2026 |access-date=21 Mar 2026 |website=[[X]]}}</ref> A user on [[X]] claimed that they were able to refund their copy on Steam despite having completed the campaign, citing a lack of disclosure as to the pervasive usage of AI in the game.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Bricky |date=14 Nov 2025 |title=Bricky on X |url=https://nitter.us.catsarch.com/Bricky/status/1989499501997076647 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260321130305/https://nitter.us.catsarch.com/Bricky/status/1989499501997076647 |archive-date=21 Mar 2026 |access-date=12 Dec 2025 |website=[[X]]}}</ref> For its part, Activision had the required Steam disclaimer on the store listing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/3606480/Call_of_Duty_Black_Ops_7/ |archive-url=https://consumerrights.wiki/w/File:Screenshot_20260123_221740.png |archive-date=2026-01-23 |website=Steam |access-date=12 Dec 2025 |url-status=live |url-access=registration |quote=Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in game assets.}}</ref>


===H2M mod bait and switch (2024)===
===H2M mod bait and switch (''2024'')===
On 15 August 2024, the Twitter account for the creators of the H2 Multiplayer Mod (a fan-made mod for ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered'') announced they had received and were complying with a cease and desist order on behalf of Activision effective immediately.<ref>{{Cite web |author=H2 Multiplayer Mod |title=H2 Multiplayer Mod on X |url=https://x.com/H2Multiplayer/status/1824167247436542167 |website=[[X]] |date=15 Aug 2024 |access-date=13 Dec 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/LdQjC |archive-date=13 Dec 2025}}</ref> This occurred on the day before the mod was supposed to be released. Weeks prior, Activision put ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered'' on sale on Steam in order to drive sales in anticipation of the mod's release, as possessing a licensed copy of the game was a prerequisite in order for the mod to function. Fans immediately derided the move as a deliberately timed act, subsequently mass refunding and review bombing ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered'' on Steam in protest of the C&D.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cripe |first=Michael |title=Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer Mod Canceled the Day Before Launch After Activision Sends Devs Cease and Desist |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/modern-warfare-2-multiplayer-mod-canceled-the-day-before-launch-after-activision-sends-devs-cease-and-desist |website=IGN |date=15 Aug 2024 |access-date=13 Dec 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817092256/https://www.ign.com/articles/modern-warfare-2-multiplayer-mod-canceled-the-day-before-launch-after-activision-sends-devs-cease-and-desist |archive-date=17 Aug 2024}}</ref>
On 15 August 2024, the Twitter account for the creators of the H2 Multiplayer Mod (a fan-made mod for ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered'') announced they had received and were complying with a cease and desist order on behalf of Activision effective immediately.<ref>{{Cite web |author=H2 Multiplayer Mod |date=15 Aug 2024 |title=H2 Multiplayer Mod on X |url=https://nitter.us.catsarch.com/H2Multiplayer/status/1824167247436542167 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260321130021/https://nitter.us.catsarch.com/H2Multiplayer/status/1824167247436542167 |archive-date=21 Mar 2026 |access-date=13 Dec 2025 |website=[[X]]}}</ref> This occurred on the day before the mod was supposed to be released. Weeks prior, Activision put ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered'' on sale on Steam in order to drive sales in anticipation of the mod's release, as possessing a licensed copy of the game was a prerequisite in order for the mod to function. Fans immediately derided the move as a deliberately timed act, subsequently mass refunding and review bombing ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered'' on Steam in protest of the C&D.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cripe |first=Michael |title=Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer Mod Canceled the Day Before Launch After Activision Sends Devs Cease and Desist |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/modern-warfare-2-multiplayer-mod-canceled-the-day-before-launch-after-activision-sends-devs-cease-and-desist |website=IGN |date=15 Aug 2024 |access-date=13 Dec 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817092256/https://www.ign.com/articles/modern-warfare-2-multiplayer-mod-canceled-the-day-before-launch-after-activision-sends-devs-cease-and-desist |archive-date=17 Aug 2024}}</ref>


===Microtransaction (MTX) overload===
===Micro-transaction (MTX) overload===
:''Main article: [[Downloadable content#DLC overload|DLC Overload]]''
{{Main|Downloadable content#DLC overload|DLC Overload}}


Activision is well-known for its excessive usage of microtransactions, with $1.34B in Q1 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |first=Derek |last=Strickland |title=Activision Q1 microtransctions hit $1.343 billion, best Q1 in 6 years |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/79133/activision-q1-microtransctions-hit-1-343-billion-best-in-6-years/index.html |website=TweakTown |date=5 May 2021 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625045126/https://www.tweaktown.com/news/79133/activision-q1-microtransctions-hit-1-343-billion-best-in-6-years/index.html |archive-date=25 Jun 2021}}</ref> and further peaks, such as $5.1B in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Kareem |last=Anderson |title=Activision’s $5.1 billion in microtransaction revenue could play a huge roll in Microsoft Gaming’s future |url=https://onmsft.com/news/activisions-5-1-billion-microtransactions-revenue-quarter/ |website=onmsft.com |date=7 Feb 2022 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207192956/https://onmsft.com/news/activisions-5-1-billion-microtransactions-revenue-quarter/ |archive-date=7 Feb 2022
Activision is well-known for its excessive usage of micro-transactions, with $1.34B in Q1 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |first=Derek |last=Strickland |title=Activision Q1 microtransctions hit $1.343 billion, best Q1 in 6 years |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/79133/activision-q1-microtransctions-hit-1-343-billion-best-in-6-years/index.html |website=TweakTown |date=5 May 2021 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625045126/https://www.tweaktown.com/news/79133/activision-q1-microtransctions-hit-1-343-billion-best-in-6-years/index.html |archive-date=25 Jun 2021}}</ref> and further peaks, such as $5.1B in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Kareem |last=Anderson |title=Activision’s $5.1 billion in microtransaction revenue could play a huge roll in Microsoft Gaming’s future |url=https://onmsft.com/news/activisions-5-1-billion-microtransactions-revenue-quarter/ |website=onmsft.com |date=7 Feb 2022 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207192956/https://onmsft.com/news/activisions-5-1-billion-microtransactions-revenue-quarter/ |archive-date=7 Feb 2022
}}</ref> It is clear that Activision is highly incentivized to generate as much revenue via microtransactions, going so far as to contribute to the detriment of the games according to fans.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Brianna |last=Reeves |title=MW2 players say increased microtransaction sales are why COD won’t improve |url=https://www.dexerto.com/call-of-duty/mw2-increased-microtransaction-sales-vanguard-cod-improve-2127808/ |website=Dexerto |date=27 Apr 2023 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430021047/https://www.dexerto.com/call-of-duty/mw2-increased-microtransaction-sales-vanguard-cod-improve-2127808/ |archive-date=30 Apr 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Catherine |last=Lewis |title=Microtransactions are killing Call Of Duty, players say |url=https://www.gamingbible.com/news/microtransactions-are-killing-call-of-duty-players-say-344299-20230428 |website=Gaming Bible
}}</ref> It is clear that Activision is highly incentivized to generate as much revenue via micro-transactions, going so far as to contribute to the detriment of the games according to fans.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Brianna |last=Reeves |title=MW2 players say increased micro-transaction sales are why COD won’t improve |url=https://www.dexerto.com/call-of-duty/mw2-increased-microtransaction-sales-vanguard-cod-improve-2127808/ |website=Dexerto |date=27 Apr 2023 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430021047/https://www.dexerto.com/call-of-duty/mw2-increased-microtransaction-sales-vanguard-cod-improve-2127808/ |archive-date=30 Apr 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Catherine |last=Lewis |title=Microtransactions are killing Call Of Duty, players say |url=https://www.gamingbible.com/news/microtransactions-are-killing-call-of-duty-players-say-344299-20230428 |website=Gaming Bible
|date=28 Apr 2023 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704220002/https://www.gamingbible.com/news/microtransactions-are-killing-call-of-duty-players-say-344299-20230428 |archive-date=4 Jul 2023}}</ref> The cosmetics seen inside Black Ops 6 are reported to be the most distracting in the franchise to-date.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Daniel |last=Morris |title=Black Ops 6 cosmetics: has Call of Duty jumped the shark? |url=https://www.destructoid.com/black-ops-6-cosmetics-has-call-of-duty-jumped-the-shark/ |website=Destructoid
|date=28 Apr 2023 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704220002/https://www.gamingbible.com/news/microtransactions-are-killing-call-of-duty-players-say-344299-20230428 |archive-date=4 Jul 2023}}</ref> The cosmetics seen inside Black Ops 6 are reported to be the most distracting in the franchise to-date.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Daniel |last=Morris |title=Black Ops 6 cosmetics: has Call of Duty jumped the shark? |url=https://www.destructoid.com/black-ops-6-cosmetics-has-call-of-duty-jumped-the-shark/ |website=Destructoid
|date=20 Dec 2024 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241221082811/https://www.destructoid.com/black-ops-6-cosmetics-has-call-of-duty-jumped-the-shark/ |archive-date=21 Dec 2024}}</ref>
|date=20 Dec 2024 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241221082811/https://www.destructoid.com/black-ops-6-cosmetics-has-call-of-duty-jumped-the-shark/ |archive-date=21 Dec 2024}}</ref>


Blizzard is additionally not innocent of pumping their content with MTX, with one of the most egregious examples being Overwatch 2.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overwatch 2 |url=https://macrotransactions.org/overwatch-2 |website=macrotransactions.org |date=2022 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250522003401/https://macrotransactions.org/overwatch-2 |archive-date=22 May 2025}}</ref> The microtransactions among this game has sparked controversy among the community as well.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Star99er  
Blizzard is additionally not innocent of pumping their content with MTX, with one of the most egregious examples being ''Overwatch 2''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overwatch 2 |url=https://macrotransactions.org/overwatch-2 |website=macrotransactions.org |date=2022 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250522003401/https://macrotransactions.org/overwatch-2 |archive-date=22 May 2025}}</ref> The micro-transactions among this game has sparked controversy among the community as well.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Star99er  
|title=Overwatch’s Aggressive Microtransactions |url=https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/overwatch/t/overwatch%E2%80%99s-aggressive-microtransactions/948993 |website=Blizzard |date=26 Jan 2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708180127/https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/overwatch/t/overwatch%E2%80%99s-aggressive-microtransactions/948993 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> Other Blizzard IPs are also not safe from this either, such as WarCraft,<ref>{{Cite web |title=World of Warcraft |url=https://macrotransactions.org/world-of-warcraft |website=macrotransactions.org |date=2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250411171331/https://macrotransactions.org/world-of-warcraft |archive-date=11 Apr 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Jason |last=Parker |title=World of Warcraft’s New Microtransactions Are Greedier Than Ever
|title=Overwatch’s Aggressive Microtransactions |url=https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/overwatch/t/overwatch%E2%80%99s-aggressive-microtransactions/948993 |website=Blizzard |date=26 Jan 2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708180127/https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/overwatch/t/overwatch%E2%80%99s-aggressive-microtransactions/948993 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> Other Blizzard IPs are also not safe from this either, such as ''WarCraft'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=World of Warcraft |url=https://macrotransactions.org/world-of-warcraft |website=macrotransactions.org |date=2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250411171331/https://macrotransactions.org/world-of-warcraft |archive-date=11 Apr 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Jason |last=Parker |title=World of Warcraft’s New Microtransactions Are Greedier Than Ever
|url=https://www.esportstalk.com/news/world-of-warcraft-new-microtransactions-greedier-than-ever/ |website=EsportsTalk |date=23 Nov 2021 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906133710/https://www.esportstalk.com/news/world-of-warcraft-new-microtransactions-greedier-than-ever/ |archive-date=6 Sep 2024}}</ref> Diablo,<ref>{{Cite web |first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |title=Now Diablo 4 Is Out in the Wild, the True Horror of Its Costly Microtransactions Has Revealed Itself |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/now-diablo-4-is-out-in-the-wild-the-true-horror-of-its-costly-microtransactions-has-revealed-itself |website=IGN |date=7 Jun 2023 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608130657/https://www.ign.com/articles/now-diablo-4-is-out-in-the-wild-the-true-horror-of-its-costly-microtransactions-has-revealed-itself |archive-date=8 Jun 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Diablo Immortal |url=https://macrotransactions.org/diablo-immortal |website=macrotransactions.org |date=2022 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809175513/https://macrotransactions.org/diablo-immortal |archive-date=9 Aug 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Diablo IV |url=https://macrotransactions.org/diablo-4
|url=https://www.esportstalk.com/news/world-of-warcraft-new-microtransactions-greedier-than-ever/ |website=EsportsTalk |date=23 Nov 2021 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906133710/https://www.esportstalk.com/news/world-of-warcraft-new-microtransactions-greedier-than-ever/ |archive-date=6 Sep 2024}}</ref> ''Diablo'',<ref>{{Cite web |first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |title=Now Diablo 4 Is Out in the Wild, the True Horror of Its Costly Microtransactions Has Revealed Itself |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/now-diablo-4-is-out-in-the-wild-the-true-horror-of-its-costly-microtransactions-has-revealed-itself |website=IGN |date=7 Jun 2023 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608130657/https://www.ign.com/articles/now-diablo-4-is-out-in-the-wild-the-true-horror-of-its-costly-microtransactions-has-revealed-itself |archive-date=8 Jun 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Diablo Immortal |url=https://macrotransactions.org/diablo-immortal |website=macrotransactions.org |date=2022 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809175513/https://macrotransactions.org/diablo-immortal |archive-date=9 Aug 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Diablo IV |url=https://macrotransactions.org/diablo-4 |website=macrotransactions.org |date=2023 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811063956/https://macrotransactions.org/diablo-4 |archive-date=11 Aug 2024}}</ref> and ''StarCraft''.<ref>{{Cite web |author=ackmondual |title=MTX (microtransaction) is beyond suckage |url=https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/sc2/t/mtx-microtransaction-is-beyond-suckage/22690 |website=Blizzard |date=16 Jul 2021 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708180115/https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/sc2/t/mtx-microtransaction-is-beyond-suckage/22690 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref>
|website=macrotransactions.org |date=2023 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811063956/https://macrotransactions.org/diablo-4
|archive-date=11 Aug 2024}}</ref> and Starcraft.<ref>{{Cite web |author=ackmondual |title=MTX (microtransaction) is beyond suckage |url=https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/sc2/t/mtx-microtransaction-is-beyond-suckage/22690 |website=Blizzard |date=16 Jul 2021 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708180115/https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/sc2/t/mtx-microtransaction-is-beyond-suckage/22690 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref>


==Patents==
==Patents==
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