Activision has reinstated Call of Duty: World War II on the Microsoft Store and Xbox PC App. The game had been unavailable for over a month, with the publisher offering no official explanation for its temporary removal.
The 2017 title`s return was announced on August 27, making it accessible again to PC Game Pass subscribers. Despite its re-release, Activision provided no further details regarding its initial delisting on July 4, when they vaguely cited `an issue` as the reason for its withdrawal.
Though Activision remained silent on the specifics, the gaming community widely speculated that Call of Duty: WWII faced severe Remote Code Execution (RCE) attacks. These exploits reportedly allowed attackers to take control of players` computers. A comparable security breach impacted Dark Souls 3 in 2022, resulting in the entire Dark Souls trilogy being temporarily removed from online services until the vulnerability was resolved.
Activision consistently avoids public discussions about Call of Duty`s security challenges. The company states that revealing details about its security measures could inadvertently assist malicious individuals in developing new exploits and workarounds. Activision reiterates that the battle against cheaters and hackers is a continuous effort.
It`s important to note that this security problem was confined to the PC version of Call of Duty: WWII. The Xbox edition, which joined Game Pass in late June, remained continuously available.
About Call of Duty: WWII
Developed by Sledgehammer Games, Call of Duty: WWII marked a significant return to the World War II setting, a thematic focus absent since 2008`s Call of Duty: World at War. The game`s campaign features several memorable sequences, such as an intense D-Day landing reminiscent of `Saving Private Ryan` and a suspenseful undercover mission within a German-occupied building in Paris.
Players assume the role of Ronald `Red` Daniels, accompanied by squadmates voiced by notable actors including Josh Duhamel, Jeffrey Pierce, Jonathan Tucker, and Brett Zimmerman. The campaign`s heightened challenge is underscored by the absence of automatic health regeneration, demanding more strategic play.
Upcoming Call of Duty Developments
Separately, details regarding the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 have emerged. Activision recently announced the cancellation of the `Carry Forward` program, meaning cosmetics and operators acquired in Black Ops 6 will not transfer to the new title. The company also addressed player feedback that the Call of Duty series has diverged from its core identity as a military shooter, a comment widely interpreted as a nod to the increasingly fantastical cosmetic items, though Activision did not explicitly confirm this interpretation.