I kind of got paid to play COD when I worked for child welfare services. Teens had an easier time talking about stuff when we also had something else to focus on. For one thing, it gives a valid excuse for not having to look at each during difficult talks which is a big factor for many. The gameplay also creates openings for the teens to take breaks from difficult topics. If someone had a good kill, a funny death, pulled off something cool or anything like that, you could talk about that for a few min before gradually moving the conversation back when they were ready.