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Call of Dutyhas always been the gruff, no-nonsense uncle of the gaming world—the one who shows up to family gatherings in tactical gear and lectures you about “staying frosty.” Lately, however, Uncle COD has been sneaking intoFortnite’s closet, trying on flashy outfits and neon wigs.
The latest fashion disaster? A suspiciously familiar anime-inspired bundle that’s got players asking:“Is this Call of Duty or a knockoff Fortnite collab?”
Activision’s latest Season 2 update forBlack Ops 6dropped a new tracer pack featuring a blue-haired, anime-styled calling card that looks like Hatsune Miku’s distant AI-generated cousin. This comes hot on the heels of a Raven-inspired battle pass skin that had fans side-eyeing Epic Games’ Nevermore set.
But whileFortnite’s crossovers thrive on polish and partnership,Call of Duty’s attempts feel more like a garage sale imitation—complete with extra fingers and a side of existential dread.
Call of Duty‘s identity crisis: From soldiers to AI slop
Let’s address the six-fingered elephant in the room.Activision‘s latest bundle, theKiller Contentpack, features a calling card with a blue-haired anime character that’s either Hatsune Miku’s evil twin or an AI’s fever dream.
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Reddit user Silly-Bandicoot7768 summed it up perfectly:
Ah yes, the fingers. WhileFortnite‘s Miku collab had clean, crisp art,Black Ops 6‘s version looks like it was drawn by a sleep-deprived intern using a way-less-than-perfect Midjourney prompt. The character’s left hand? Five fingers, but the thumb is awkwardly cropped out—a classic AI giveaway.
This isn’t Activision’s first AI rodeo. Remember December’s “Necroclaus” fiasco,where Zombie Santa rocked six fingersand a gloved hand holding Gobblegums like he’d never seen human anatomy? Or the job listing where Treyarch sought artists “proficient in AI tools”?
Activision would rather let algorithms do the heavy lifting than pay human artists—even as ex-CEO Bobby Kotick pocketed a golden parachute worth $400 million.
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TheKiller Contentpack epitomizes this ethos. For 2,400 CoD Points (~$20), you get gun skins, a loading screen, and a calling card that looks like it escaped a DeviantArt AI generator. No operator skin, no unique quips—just…blue stuff:
But perhaps the most concerning part isn’t just the AI art—it’s how these attempts at mimickingFortnite’s success are fundamentally changingCall of Duty‘s DNA.
When imitation isn’t the sincerest form of flattery
Let’s give credit where it’s due:Fortnitehas mastered the art of crossovers. FromStar WarstoGod of War, Epic Games’ partnerships feel celebratory, not cynical. But whenCall of Dutytries to replicate that magic, it’s like watching your dad attempt the “Renegade” dance on TikTok.
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Take the Raven skin for example. InFortnite, Raven is a sleek, gothic icon from theNevermoreset. InBlack Ops 6? It’s Raven’s discount doppelgänger—edgy armor, glowing eyes, and all the subtlety of a chainsaw in a library. Players aren’t buying it:
The irony? WhileFortniteuses crossovers to expand its universe,Call of Duty’s attempts dilute its own. Once promised to be a gritty military shooter,Black Ops 6now feels like a confused mashup ofSquid Gameevents, zombie Santas, and anime knockoffs.
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But, fortunately, Activision’s obsession with chasing trends does have consequences. Since the launch of Season 2 (and the “Miku bundle”),Black Ops 6′sSteamreviews have tanked to “Mostly Negative” as fans revolted against “AI slop.” Meanwhile,Fortnitekeeps breaking its own concurrent player count recordsseason after season. Coincidence? Hardly.
For now, though, Activision seems content to let AI generate its future. But if players keep getting six-fingered Santas and anime abominations, they might just vote with their wallets… and their uninstall buttons.
What do you think? IsCall of Duty’sFortnitemimicry a smart evolution or an identity crisis in progress? Sound off in the comments below!
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.
