(Updated) Call of Duty API changes kill third party statistic tracking websites and services

Update

The Activision Support Team has responded to a post on Reddit detailing the reasoning behind the API changes. This is a temporary measure set in place while an improved API flow is rolled out.

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Recent changes to the Call of Duty API have essentially rendered third party statistic tracking sites such as The Tracker Network useless due to the lack of access to player data. Activision’s official Call of Duty Companion App is also affected by these changes and is currently unusable until an update is released.

As of March 1, 2019 – the Call of Duty API requires authentication and enforces a strict rate limit for all requests. Prior to these changes, the API was accessible without authentication and did not have any impractical rate limits.

While the API is not documented for public use, it is exposed via the My Call of Duty website and Call of Duty Companion App. Because of this, the new requirements for its use are unknown to the public.

Developers are now greeted with a “Not permitted” error message upon requesting data from API endpoints which once stood.

The Tracker Network took to Twitter to announce that their site functionality will be entirely diminished until a fix is found.

We are currently not able to get @CallofDuty Stats. We are working on alternate solutions but it could take some time.

If anyone from @Activision or @Treyarch could reach out to us, please do, thank you.

— Call of Duty Tracker (@CODTracker) March 1, 2019

Through a collaborative effort, The Tracker Network has since implemented a temporary solution. Unfortunately, we cannot disclose the method for all developers to use due to fear of more restrictions being put in place.

The Tracker Network provided CharlieINTEL the following statement…

For years the COD community has continually expressed an interest in having open access to data. We believe giving players the power to improve their game through data benefits the community, and I think the amount of support pouring in is proof that the community agrees. This isn’t new thinking, and we have seen several developers in the past make this a reality. We hope Activision/Treyarch will reach out and support the community, because without their support, we and sites like ours will be forced to shut down.

While the issue may appear to end there, many fans are upset with these events as they feel that player data availability has significantly lessened in recent Call of Duty titles.

At the time of writing, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 does not feature in-game Leaderboards or Combat Records despite being set to go live “next week”, in October of 2018.

While certain restrictions are necessary to prevent API abuse, it’s unfortunate to see such a powerful service be placed on lock-down.

The Call of Duty API also allows developers to utilize features such as the Black Ops Authenticity Stamp system in Black Ops 4 Zombies. Treyarch’s Jason Blundell acknowledged this feature’s benefits for third party services at the Black Ops 4 reveal.

Activision has yet to provide an official statement or acknowledgement of this issue.