Season 4 of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone went live last week. In addition to host of new content, including Gundam skins that turn players into giant robots, the update also rolled out free Pride cosmetics on June 1. Activision, the company that publishes Call of Duty, decided to release new weapon camos, a sticker and a charm that are all rainbow-themed.
Allegedly, one particular gun in the game, the M4, featured a special weapon blueprint. This blueprint, reportedly purchasable as part of a separate bonus package, was said to alter the appearance of the bullets to display the colors of the transgender flag. The rumor quickly gained traction, spreading widely among the gaming community and beyond.
However, it was soon revealed that these claims were unfounded and that no such feature existed in the game on purpose.
Despite the clarification, the misinformation had already caused significant confusion and controversy. Some fans have mockingly labeled it trans-bullets, term that has fueled significant conversation on different platforms of social media. Despite widespread recognition that the bullet narrative was hoax, many individuals still felt compelled to share their thoughts on the matter.
They took to X to voice their perspectives, engaging in discussions and debates about the controversy. Some users criticized the spread of misinformation and emphasized the importance of fact-checking, while others expressed frustration, arguing that the entire situation was damaging the gaming experience. Many others were just happy to be represented. Additionally, there were individuals who attempted to make jokes about the situation.
For instance, on June 3, 2024, Ian Miles Cheong claimed that the addition of trans bullets allowed players to literally roleplay transgender mass shooter, a tweet that gained over 680 retweets and 2,300 likes within three days.
Activision has not yet spoken out about the controversy, seemingly trying to avoid further escalation. However, prior to the controversy, they had posted a statement on their official website that Call of Duty is for everyone.