Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek has once again lit a fire under the esports scene. Known for his sharp takes and legendary Counter-Strike background, Shroud has now set his sights on Call of Duty. During a recent stream, he called out the franchise for failing to deliver the competitive depth required to become one of the biggest esports titles in the world.

According to Shroud, the problem lies not in the popularity of the series but in the repetitive nature of its gameplay. He argued that at the highest level, matches often look identical, with players relying on the same mechanics that have defined the game for years.

“Call of Duty on paper should be one of the biggest esports in the world,” Shroud said. “The main reason it is not is because the game lacks depth. You just hold Mouse 1 and dropshot sometimes. You cannot tell the difference between player A and player B, and if you cannot tell the difference, your game does not have enough depth to be a competitive esport.”

Community Divided Over Shroud’s Comments

Unsurprisingly, his remarks sparked heated discussion. Some agreed, pointing out that titles like Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and VALORANT thrive because of their complexity and constantly evolving strategies. Others argued that Call of Duty has its own subtleties that only trained eyes can spot.

OpTic Texas analyst JohnPaul “JPKrez” Krez defended the scene, stating that depth does exist if you know where to look. Meanwhile, former Toronto Ultra player Ben “Beans” McMellon argued that Call of Duty was simply never designed for esports in the same way that Counter-Strike or League of Legends were.

Does Call of Duty Truly Lack Depth?

The criticism is not new. For years, fans and pros have debated whether the fast-paced, arcade-style gameplay of Call of Duty can sustain a long-term competitive ecosystem. Unlike MOBAs or tactical shooters that thrive on layers of strategy, Call of Duty’s competitive scene is often defined by reflexes, gun skill, and tight team coordination  but less so by tactical variety.

That said, the release of Call of Duty Black Ops 7 could change things. With new movement mechanics and an expanded weapon arsenal, there is hope that the competitive meta will become richer and more dynamic. This could allow the Call of Duty League to carve out a stronger identity and finally address concerns of stagnation.

The Bigger Picture

Shroud’s comments highlight a larger challenge for Activision and the Call of Duty League. Despite its global popularity, record-breaking sales, and massive fan base, Call of Duty esports has struggled to break into the same elite conversation as other competitive titles. For a game with such cultural impact, many feel it should already be at the top of the esports hierarchy.

Whether Shroud is right or wrong, one thing is certain: his words have forced fans and pros alike to confront an uncomfortable question. Can Call of Duty ever evolve enough to stand alongside Counter-Strike and League of Legends as a premier esport, or will it always remain an entertaining but shallow competitive product?

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