Activision has reintroduced Call of Duty: World War II to the Microsoft Store and Xbox PC App, following its removal over a month ago. A statement issued on August 27 confirmed the game’s return, allowing PC Game Pass players to once again engage in its immersive experience. However, the company has remained tight-lipped regarding the circumstances surrounding the game’s withdrawal on July 4, when Activision cited the need to investigate “an issue.”
While the specifics of the issue remain undisclosed, speculation among fans suggests that the game was targeted by Remote Code Execution attacks, which compromised players’ control over their PCs due to a security vulnerability. This incident echoes a similar situation that befell Dark Souls 3 in 2022, prompting the temporary removal of the entire trilogy to address the security flaw.
Activision has consistently opted not to elaborate on security matters related to the Call of Duty franchise. The company believes that revealing details about its security measures could inadvertently assist malicious actors in developing new exploits. As they have stated, the battle against cheaters and hackers is an ongoing struggle.
It is worth noting that the issues affecting Call of Duty: WWII were confined to the PC version; the Xbox edition remained available on Game Pass after its launch at the end of June. Developed by Sledgehammer Games, Call of Duty: WWII marked a significant return to the franchise’s roots, being the first fully WWII-themed installment since Call of Duty: World at War in 2008. Players experienced memorable missions, including a gripping D-Day opening sequence reminiscent of Saving Private Ryan and a tense undercover operation in a German building in Paris.
Players step into the shoes of Ronald “Red” Daniels, supported by a cast of squadmates voiced by notable actors such as Josh Duhamel, Jeffrey Pierce, Jonathan Tucker, and Brett Zimmerman. The campaign’s intensity is heightened by the absence of automatic health regeneration, adding to the realism and challenge of the gameplay.
Looking Ahead to Black Ops 7
As the franchise evolves, the next installment, Black Ops 7, is on the horizon. Recently, Activision made headlines by canceling the game’s Carry Forward program, which would have allowed operators and skins from Black Ops 6 to transfer to the new title. The company has also acknowledged fan feedback regarding the franchise’s departure from its military shooter roots, a sentiment many interpreted as a nod to the increasingly unconventional skins featured in recent releases, although Activision did not explicitly confirm this interpretation.
