If you’ve been playing Call of Duty recently, chances are you’ve encountered the frustrating "cod bo6 bot lobby" phenomenon—matches that feel less competitive and more filled with AI-controlled bots. This issue is just one symptom of the larger problems currently affecting Black Ops 6, which has been hit by a delay of its Season 4 Reloaded update. Originally slated for release this week, the update has now been pushed back to July 3rd, leaving players in limbo and sparking concern about the game’s future.

The Season 4 Reloaded update was highly anticipated for its promise of new crossover characters, event camos, and fresh content. However, the lack of a clear release date and the absence of the usual marketing blitz have left fans guessing. Typically, Call of Duty releases teasers and blog posts about two days before an update drops, but this time, no such marketing has appeared. Moreover, no update files have been detected on key platforms, signaling that the update is not imminent.

One reason for the delay is the extension of Season 4 itself. Instead of the typical eight-week season, Season 4 was stretched to ten weeks due to an initial delay at its start. This shift pushed back the Reloaded update, which usually arrives mid-season, by an additional week. The ongoing Rivals event, now extended to July 3rd, also plays a role, as the update is expected to coincide with the event’s conclusion.

The delay is frustrating for players because it extends a content drought that has already been damaging to the game’s health. Call of Duty’s player base has been steadily declining, dropping from 22.4 million in March 2023 to 20.6 million in early 2025. Many players cite the inconsistent post-seasonal content and frequent delays as reasons they’ve moved on to other games. The "cod bo6 bot lobby" experience, where matches feel less competitive and more like filler, only exacerbates this issue.

Additionally, the developers have acknowledged that every major update tends to launch with problems, and Season 4 was no exception. This admission suggests that the delay is intended to give the team more time to polish the update and avoid a repeat of previous launch issues. While this is a positive sign in theory, it also means players must endure another week without substantial new content.

In the meantime, the in-game store has stopped refreshing bundles, which usually signals an upcoming update. The lack of fresh store content adds to the feeling of stagnation. The community has expressed disappointment that the developers did not release the Reloaded update earlier and then space out the event pass and other content to keep players engaged.

Looking ahead, the delay raises questions about the future of Black Ops 6 seasons. Some speculate that Season 5 could also face delays, and the transition to Black Ops 7 might be rushed or abbreviated. For now, players are left hoping that the July 3rd update brings meaningful improvements and that the developers can regain the trust and enthusiasm of their community.

Read more: Black Ops 6 Season 4: Launch Date, New Maps, Weapons, Operators More