Hackers have already taken over the new Black Ops ports on PlayStation

Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 have only just been re‑released on PS4 and PS5, but players are already reporting that multiplayer lobbies are being overrun by hackers due to outdated anti‑cheat systems.

The two classic Black Ops titles returned this month with new PS4 and PS5 versions. The re‑releases do run on newer servers, but it would seem that the underlying anti-cheat systems were not upgraded enough, as long-standing exploits are already being abused across the new servers.

Players are encountering aimlock, ESP wallhacks, and even tools that allow cheaters to add or remove XP from other accounts. Some users say they’ve been hit with negative XP, effectively blocking them from accessing multiplayer progression, as they can't even reach level 1.

These issues have existed for years on the original console and PC versions of these games, so this outcome was entirely predictable, making it all the more frustrating that more wasn't done to counter these exploits in time for the re-release. Right now, legitimate players are spending $40 on a game that can't really be played outside of private lobbies between friends.

MP1st recommends that fans actively avoid any online domination matches with max-level players, as more often than not, these are hackers. You should also probably leave a match if you see a lot of people joining and immediately leaving, and if you see a lot of grenade suicides going off, then chances are you've ended up in a lobby with a cheater and should leave.

This wouldn't be as much of an issue if these hackers didn't have the tools to manipulate in-game XP, but right now, even being in a lobby with a cheater could mean that you are about to lose all of your XP, or play one single game and suddenly be max level, which could be an issue if Activision starts monitoring and banning boosted accounts, even if you didn't ask to be boosted in the first place.

KitGuru Says: What should have been a fun weekend of nostalgia for Call of Duty fans on PlayStation has instead turned into a nightmare. Unless Activision upgrades the anti‑cheat, these re‑releases won’t offer a viable multiplayer experience.

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