Zeyna’s Paladin Skin In Call of Duty: Warzone Turns Her Into “Strong Female Character,” Fans Plan To Boycott Activision Until Bug Fixed
Ryan Pearson
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Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War and Warzone players recently discovered a new bug related to Zeyna which turns the character into a hulking, muscle-bound “strong female character”
Source: *New* Zeyna PALADIN skin – Warzone vs Cold War Graphic, Kodji, YouTube
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Purchasable for use in both Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Season 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone, the Tracer Pack: Honorbound Ultra Skin Bundle came with new gun skins, charms, and emblems, as well as the Paladin skin for operator Zeyna. The skin decks her out in a medieval-looking armor adorned with a bit of sci-fi flair.
However, one player who obtained the skin was surprised to find that it turned the operator into an all too perfect, accidental parody of the typical “strong female character”.
Source: Call of Duty: Warzone (2020), Infinity Ward, Raven Software
In a post made to Call of Duty: Warzone subreddit, /u/SpiritualJokes8 complained about a bug he encountered that was twisting how Zeyna looked in her new duds.
“Bought a zeyna skin and all of a sudden she does this,” the player lamented. “It’s been for so long me and my friends have begun to call her strong woman.”
It’s not hard to see why, as the Paladin-clad Zeyna is not only stuck in an A-pose, but her character model has also been replaced with that of a male’s.
Source: SpiritualJoke8, Reddit
“Anyone know how to get rid of this damn bug I want to be able to enjoy the pack I paid for ( I play on pc by the way),” SpiritualJoke8 further asked.
It’s unknown if the bug has been fixed at this time or not. Nonetheless, the thread sparked plenty of discussion of Activision’s quality assurance.
Source: Call of Duty: Warzone (2020), Infinity Ward, Raven Software
“STOP BUYING THESE SKINS” /u/Designer-Ad-5635 begged. “THIS IS WHY THEY WILL NEVER FIX SHIT IN A TIMELY MANNER. I say this out of love because I buy skins and stuff too but until they get this game figured out they get no money from me.”
Source: Designer-Ad-5635, Reddit
“Ive not bought a pack now for a few months,” /u/Cryptgro stated, “and was so tempted to get the new samurai skin but principles first man they needa fix the game before they anymore contributions from me.”
Source: Cryptgro, Reddit
Users also discussed a number of other in-game purchases which had resulted in expected graphical outcomes, such as Blueprints turning out different from those displayed in the store, and subsequently encouraged others to not spend money on the free-to-play title.
Source: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020), Sledgehammer Games
However, outside of these issues with the games’ functionality, users also have plenty of other reasons to refrain from giving Activision their money.
In July 2021, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) concluded a two year investigation into Activision Blizzard; leading to the filing of a sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit against the publisher.
The lawsuit alleges that female employees saw less pay, were promoted less often, and had to endure a “pervasive frat boy workplace culture.” The latter included heavy in-office drinking, regular harassment of women in the workplace, and the existence of the now-infamous Cosby Suite.
Source: Call of Duty: Warzone (2020), Infinity Ward, Raven Software
Further, amid the various walkouts, statements on how the company would improve, and allegations of destroyed evidence that followed, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick was himself accused of having previous knowledge of the sexual harassment allegations and failing to act. He was also accused of making threatening comments to one of his assistants.
Zeyna gaining the power of Castle Grayskull may also be a result of recent walk-outs. Almost 40 Raven Software testers, primarily working on Call of Duty: Warzone, staged a walkout in early December 2021 to protest the abrupt laying off of about 30% of their colleagues.
Source: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020), Sledgehammer Games
What do you make of Zeyna’s bug-related appearance? Let us know your thoughts on social media or in the comments down below!
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