Call Of Duty To Use AI Mode For Voice Chats

Activision recently announced that it will be using AI-powered model ToxMod from Modulate, which features real-time voice chat moderation, to combat toxic behaviour in Call of Duty.

The technology makes use of AI to quickly identify and take action against harmful speech, such as harassment, discriminatory language, and hate speech. In-game content (such as usernames and conversations) in Call of Duty already uses text-based filtering across 14 different languages, along with a player complaint system.

In an FAQ section, Activision reassured players by insisting voice chat is monitored and recorded “for the express purpose of moderation”, and “is focused on detecting harm within voice chat versus specific keywords”.

Based on the current Call of Duty Code of Conduct, the new system moderates content. Activision issued a warning: “Voice chat that includes bullying or harassment will not be tolerated.” However, the Code of Conduct permits “friendly banter” and “trash-talk”. Activision said, “Hate speech, discrimination, sexism, and other types of harmful language, as outlined in the Code of Conduct, will not be tolerated.”

Activision also stressed the AI does not enforce violations of the Code of Conduct it detects. “Call of Duty’s Voice Chat Moderation system only submits reports about toxic behaviour, categorised by its type of behaviour and a rated level of severity based on an evolving model,” Activision explained. “Activision determines how it will enforce voice chat moderation violations.”

Activision explained that even this new AI technology, voice chat moderation is not enforced immediately. The algorithm does classify and highlight toxic language in real time based on the Call of Duty Code of Conduct, but before action is decided, discovered offenses “may require additional reviews of associated recordings” to identify context. Activision stated that as the system expands, “our processes and response times will evolve.”

There doesn’t appear to be any way to opt out if you want to continue utilizing voice chat, since Activision noted that players who do not want their voice to be monitored can disable in-game voice chat in the options menu.

This is a crucial step for establishing and upholding a satisfying, equitable, and welcoming environment for all players.

“There’s no place for disruptive behaviour or harassment in games ever,” said Activision’s chief technology officer Michael Vance. “Tackling disruptive voice chat particularly has long been an extraordinary challenge across gaming. With this collaboration, we are now bringing Modulate’s state of the art machine learning technology that can scale in real-time for a global level of enforcement. This is a critical step forward to creating and maintaining a fun, fair and welcoming experience for all players.”

A beta of the technology will debut in Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone on August 30 in North America, with the global release (apart from Asia) scheduled for the November 10 release of Modern Warfare 3. Support starts in English before moving on to other languages.

According to Activision, since the release of Modern Warfare 2 in late 2022, the anti-toxicity moderation system has “restricted” over one million accounts that were found to have broken the Call of Duty Code of Conduct through voice and/or text chat. It stated that in order to improve real-time rejection of offensive language, text and username filtering technology has been “consistently” upgraded.

Activision unveiled footage for the first level of Modern Warfare 3’s campaign and a sneak peek at the game’s Open Combat Missions this month.

The “largest Call of Duty zombies maps ever” can be found in Modern Warfare 3’s Zombies mode, which is situated in a “all-new open world” and allows players to cooperate to battle zombie hordes. The Zombies mode is present in this Modern Warfare game for the first time.

All 16 of the launch maps from Modern Warfare 2’s multiplayer mode are included in Modern Warfare 3, plus 12 additional 6v6 maps will be released after the game’s first release. PlayStation owners will get initial access to an open beta that Activision will offer for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Pre-orderers have access to the campaign up to a week before it officially launches.

On November 10, Modern Warfare 3 becomes available for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and S.