TechCapsules

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Activision, the gaming giant, has taken down Call of Duty: WWII from its Microsoft Store and Game Pass platforms after hackers exploited a flaw in the PC version of the game, allowing them to hack into players' computers. The company announced the takedown last week, stating that it was investigating "reports of an issue" without providing further details. According to a source with knowledge of Activision's response, the game was taken offline due to the hacking incidents, and the company is working to patch the issue. The hacking incidents have led to several players complaining on social media that they had been hacked while playing the game. One player reported on Reddit that the game was not safe to play on PC, citing a remote code execution (RCE) exploit that allows hackers to plant malware capable of taking control of a victim's device. The game remains offline at the time of publication, according to Activision's status page. Activision took down only the Microsoft Store and Game Pass version of Call of Duty: WWII, which contain an old flaw that had been patched on other versions of the game, such as the Steam version. The company has not responded to multiple requests for comment. This is not the first time Activision has dealt with hacking incidents. In the past, the company has faced issues such as a flaw in its anti-cheat system, hacking campaigns targeting players with infostealer malware, and a self-spreading malware that hacked Call of Duty: Modern Warfare players. In recent times, some video game companies have increased their cybersecurity efforts, but Activision has gone through several rounds of layoffs in the last few years, some of which have affected its cybersecurity teams. The incident highlights the importance of cybersecurity in the gaming industry, particularly when it comes to protecting players' personal information and devices.