Quick Read
- Call of Duty: WWII was removed from PC Game Pass due to severe hacking incidents.
- Hackers exploited an RCE vulnerability to take control of players’ PCs.
- Activision has faced criticism for downplaying the issue and delayed responses.
- This incident highlights broader security concerns in older games.
In a dramatic and concerning development for gamers, Call of Duty: WWII was pulled from Microsoft’s PC Game Pass earlier this week after widespread reports of hacking incidents. The game, which had only recently been added to the subscription service, became a battleground for hackers exploiting a dangerous vulnerability known as a remote code execution (RCE) exploit. This issue allows malicious actors to remotely control another player’s computer, raising serious security concerns.
What Went Wrong?
The situation began unfolding shortly after the game’s addition to Xbox Game Pass, including its PC version, on July 1, 2025. According to GameLuster, players started reporting unusual and alarming incidents while playing the game. Hackers were not merely manipulating in-game mechanics but were taking control of other players’ PCs. Instances included forced text pop-ups, system commands being executed without consent, and even direct taunts from hackers who left their usernames and social media handles on victims’ screens.
The exploit at the heart of the controversy is an RCE vulnerability, a severe issue that has plagued older Call of Duty titles due to their outdated engines. As ComicBook.com reported, this is not a new problem for the franchise, but the influx of new players via Game Pass seems to have exacerbated the issue, forcing Microsoft and Activision to take action.
Activision’s Response and Player Backlash
On July 4, 2025, the official Call of Duty Updates account on X (formerly Twitter) announced that the game would be temporarily removed from the Microsoft Store while developers investigated “reports of an issue.” However, this vague phrasing has sparked criticism from the gaming community. Many players feel the term “issue” significantly downplays the gravity of the situation, as the exploit represents a major security risk. According to Destructoid, gamers have expressed frustration with Activision’s lack of transparency and delayed response to long-standing vulnerabilities in its older titles.
The backlash has been particularly intense because this is not an isolated incident. RCE exploits have reportedly affected multiple Call of Duty games, including titles as far back as Modern Warfare 2. Players have called for more comprehensive fixes across the franchise, rather than piecemeal responses to individual games only when issues gain widespread attention.
The Bigger Picture: Security in Gaming
This incident raises broader questions about the security of legacy games in the age of digital distribution and subscription services. As ComicBook.com pointed out, older games often lack ongoing developer support, making them vulnerable to exploits. Despite this, companies like Activision continue to sell these titles at full price without addressing their known vulnerabilities. This has led to calls for greater accountability from game publishers to ensure that their products remain safe to play.
RCE vulnerabilities are not unique to Call of Duty. Other popular franchises, such as Dark Souls, have faced similar issues, which sometimes took years to resolve. However, Activision’s relatively swift action in pulling Call of Duty: WWII from PC Game Pass may signal a shift in how companies address such problems, particularly when they involve high-profile titles on major platforms like Game Pass.
What’s Next for Call of Duty: WWII?
As of now, there is no timeline for the game’s return to PC Game Pass. Activision has stated that it is investigating the issue, but players remain skeptical about whether a robust fix will be implemented. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for gamers and developers alike, highlighting the importance of proactive security measures in an increasingly interconnected gaming landscape.
While the removal of Call of Duty: WWII from PC Game Pass is a necessary step to protect players, it underscores a deeper issue within the gaming industry: the need for long-term support and security updates for legacy titles. Only time will tell if this incident prompts meaningful change or becomes yet another chapter in the ongoing saga of neglected game security.