Cheat Developer Claims Shutdown, CoD Players Doubtful

Phantom Overlay, a well-known cheat provider for Call of Duty, has announced its immediate shutdown. The provider shared this news via a Telegram statement, emphasizing that this closure is not an exit scam and they are not being compelled to shut down by any external entity. To ensure customers get their money's worth, Phantom Overlay will remain online for an additional 32 days, allowing users with 30-day keys to fully utilize their purchases. Additionally, the company plans to offer partial refunds to those who purchased lifetime keys.

The ripple effect of Phantom Overlay's closure could be significant, given that many other cheat providers rely on its systems. This development has sparked a variety of reactions among gamers. One user on X (formerly known as Twitter) expressed disbelief and speculated about the impact on the upcoming Season 3 cheat update, while others believe the company might be rebranding rather than truly shutting down.

Activision has been grappling with cheating issues in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, admitting that their anti-cheat efforts at the launch of Season 1 fell short, especially in Ranked Play. Despite initial promises to remove cheaters within an hour of their first match, the company has since improved its response, with the Ricochet Anti-Cheat system now banning cheaters more efficiently, resulting in over 19,000 account bans recently. The ongoing problem of cheating has led to measures such as allowing console players to disable crossplay with PC users in Ranked Play during Season 2.

Cheating in Call of Duty has been exacerbated since the release of the free-to-play Warzone in 2020. Despite substantial investments in anti-cheat technology and legal action against cheat makers, skepticism about the effectiveness of the Ricochet system persists among the community.

In other news, fans eagerly await more information on the return of the beloved Call of Duty Warzone Verdansk map, expected to be revealed on March 10.