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What started asCall of DutyHQ and eventually “evolved” into what we have to deal with now is perhaps the most unnecessary addition to the franchise since supply drops. And while it might look a bit prettier than its predecessor, it’s still about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
The worst part? We’ve been dealing with this particular headache for years now, watching it get progressively worse with each new release. But this time, withBlack Ops 6, it’s reached a new level of absurdity.
A Solution in Search of a Problem inBlack Ops 6
Let’s call a spade a spade here. TheCall of Dutylauncher isn’t just bad—it’s an exercise in frustration that would make Sisyphus himself throw up his hands in defeat. And I’m not alone in this sentiment:
Truer words have never been spoken. But it gets worse:
And don’t even get me started on the infamous “Update Requires Restart” message that greets us more often than our own teammates. Launch the game? Restart. Install shaders? Restart. Breathe in the general direction of your PC? You better believe that’s a restart!
At this point, I’ve probably spent more time restarting the game than actually playing it. It’s like the launcher is stuck in an endless loop of digital bureaucracy, making us jump through hoops just to get to the actual game (don’t quote me on that).
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I can’t count the number of times I’ve sat down for a quick gaming session, only to spend more time wrestling with the launcher than actually playing. And apparently, this is a universal experience:
The most infuriating part? There’s absolutely no reason for this complexity. We managed just fine launching games directly for decades. But here we are, forced to navigate through a labyrinth of menus just to play a single match of team deathmatch.
A Pattern of Overcomplication
Some might wonder whyActivisioninsists on maintaining this system. Well, one cynical player might have hit the nail on the head:
It’s a depressingly plausible explanation. But what’s even more depressing is the community’s resigned acceptance of the situation:
And you know what? They’re right. We do say this every year.
We complain, we rant, we make memes—and yet, here we are again, clicking through multiple screens and sitting through useless transition animations just to launch a single game. It’s like Groundhog Day, except instead of learning valuable life lessons, we’re just learning new ways to be disappointed.
Black Ops 6 Players Beg Activision for One Major Fix and It’s Not Boring Maps or Broken Weapons
The saddest part is that this isn’t rocket science. All we want is to be able to launchBlack Ops 6directly, without having to navigate through what feels like the digital equivalent of the DMV. Is that really too much to ask? Apparently, for Activision, it is.
Do you share my frustration with theCall of Dutylauncher? What’s your worst experience with the endless restart cycle? Let me know in the comments below—misery loves company, after all!
Soumyajit Mukherjee
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :966
Soumyajit Mukherjee is a Gaming Writer at FandomWire, known for his deep dives into tactical shooters and co-op games. Since joining in June 2024, he’s focused on breakout multiplayer titles like Helldivers 2 and Marvel Rivals, bringing sharp analysis and veteran instincts to every story. His gaming journey began at a local café with the OG Modern Warfare 2, and from that very first frag, he’s been chasing the rush ever since.A former competitive Rainbow Six Siege team captain, Soumyajit has played and written about everything from CS:GO, Valorant, Overwatch, and Apex Legends to Rocket League, Call of Duty, and Battlefield. He’s proudly PC-first and has been since said LAN days… but with GTA 6 looming on the horizon, a long-overdue PS5 might finally sneak onto his setup.
