In an unprecedented show of resilience, a Call of Duty player known as b00lin spent 763 days fighting to overturn a ban issued by Activision. Their journey, filled with legal battles, culminated in a victory that not only restored their reputation on Steam but also set a precedent for other gamers. b00lin detailed this epic saga in a comprehensive blog post, shedding light on the intricacies of their struggle.
The ordeal began after b00lin played over 36 hours of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 beta in December 2023. Initially, they assumed the ban was a result of errors during the testing phase. However, even after reporting the issue, Activision upheld the ban, leaving b00lin with no choice but to take drastic measures. While most players would have given up at this point, b00lin's determination led them to challenge the decision legally.
Image: antiblizzard.win
Throughout the legal proceedings, Activision remained tight-lipped about the reasons for the ban, refusing to provide any evidence of alleged cheating. They cited security concerns as their reason for withholding information—even when b00lin requested only "harmless" details, such as the name of the software being flagged. This lack of transparency only fueled b00lin's resolve to fight back.
The case eventually reached the courtroom, where it was revealed that Activision's legal team had no concrete proof of wrongdoing. It appeared that the company's stringent anti-cheat policies were being prioritized over fairness and transparency. In a landmark ruling in early 2025, the court sided with b00lin, ordering Activision to cover their legal fees and lift the ban. This victory not only vindicated b00lin but also highlighted the need for accountability and transparency in the gaming industry.