The Dropshot - A Call of Duty Podcast · The Dropshot, LLC

Season 1 Reloaded; Yippee!

January 9, 2026·1 hr 3 min·6 clips

The hosts declare Call of Duty is experiencing its 'death rattle' as player numbers plummet.

Casey and Tanner return to The Dropshot podcast to dissect Call of Duty's Season 1 Reloaded update, though they approach it with heavy skepticism given their diminished interest in the franchise. The update includes new multiplayer maps like Yakai and returning favorites like Meltdown and Fringe, plus a Nuketown variant called Vault Town. New weapons include the Hawker HX sniper rifle and Stern Wolf 45 SMG, along with controversial returning equipment like Shock Charges that the hosts criticize for disrupting the game's movement mechanics. The Fallout collaboration brings themed skins and game modes, though the hosts question the visual quality based on in-game screenshots versus promotional materials. Warzone receives new limited-time modes including High Octane on Verdansk with grappling hooks and Power Armor Royale with AI opponents. The hosts note that win streaks are returning but without the previous nuke contract rewards. They express frustration with Call of Duty's poor timing, particularly the delayed snow effects for Rebirth Island arriving well after Christmas. The conversation shifts to PlayStation's new 'Ghost Player' patent, which allows AI to assist or play games for struggling players. This sparks a broader discussion about AI's future role in gaming, with predictions that by 2035, players might unknowingly compete against sophisticated AI opponents designed to maximize engagement. They explore the complexity of AI assistance across different game genres, from simple platformers to complex RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3. The hosts also cover Rainbow Six Siege's recent security breaches, where hackers gave players premium currency and issued random bans twice in recent weeks. They praise Arc Raiders as a successful extraction shooter that has maintained its player base, validating their long-held belief that the genre needed a well-funded, professionally developed entry. Throughout the episode, they maintain their stance that Call of Duty is in decline, describing it as experiencing a 'death rattle' with dwindling player engagement across the community.

As heard by us

A grim, funny check-in on a season update that feels smaller than the title suggests.

The Dropshot treats Season 1 Reloaded like a blunt reality check: enough changes to talk about, but not enough to leave the hosts sounding impressed.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a blunt Season 1 Reloaded check without the patch-note slog.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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