Staring down the release of Modern Warfare 3 on November 10, 2023, Activision has decided to revamp moderation capabilities within their games’ online voice chat. While this AI-driven technology may improve Call of Duty multiplayer communities, some fans are concerned.
The introduction of AI “toxicity” detection software was announced by the official Call of Duty account run by Activision on Twitter on August 30, 2023. The linked blog post goes into further detail about the changes, including the announcement that a beta rollout for the software will begin on August 30, 2023, for both MW2 and Warzone before officially debuting with the release of MW3 in November 2023. The AI technology will automatically detect voice chats that Activision labels as “toxic” — language based around discrimination, bigotry, and various forms of harassment.
Related: What content will not carry over from MW2 to MW3?
Though the updated moderation tools seem to aim for genuine community improvement, the announcement has not been without controversy. Some fans worry about the nuances in language and how they’ll be perceived by AI technology. Additionally, some feel this is an increase in “woke” culture in video games, while many other fans dismiss this criticism as an attempt to disparage social progress within the franchise.
Another critique seen from players is that Activision is spending too much time on voice moderation when they should be targeting hackers and cheaters across the Modern Warfare online landscape. That being said, there are also many fans who feel optimistic about the change.
The addition of AI voice moderation is not the only change that has been made in online Call of Duty moderation. Activision has continuously worked on “Anti-Toxicity” within this space for a while now, including increased filtering of text conversations and encouraging reports of malicious behavior from fans. Overall, Activision has considered these efforts a success that has improved the inclusivity of their communities.
Want to read more about Modern Warfare 3? If so, check out MW3 Zombies – Gameplay, Map, Squad Size, and More on Steam Game Guides.