Call of Duty's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover is sparking outrage among players due to its hefty price tag. Unlocking all the themed items could cost upwards of $90 in COD Points, prompting calls for Black Ops 6 to become free-to-play.
Activision revealed the Season 02 Reloaded content, including the TMNT crossover, launching February 20th. Each Turtle (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael) receives a premium bundle, likely priced at 2,400 COD Points ($19.99) each—a potential $80 total.
Adding insult to injury, a premium event pass costing 1,100 COD Points ($10) is also available, featuring Splinter and other cosmetics. The free track offers some Foot Clan skins. Crucially, the crossover focuses solely on cosmetics, offering no gameplay advantages.
This aggressive monetization, mirroring the controversial Squid Game crossover, is fueling player discontent. Many argue that the high cost of cosmetics, coupled with the premium event pass, is treating Black Ops 6 like a free-to-play title.
Reddit users voiced their frustration, highlighting the excessive cost and suggesting a shift to a free-to-play model. The argument centers on the inherent unfairness of such monetization in a $70 game, contrasting it with the acceptable practices in free-to-play titles like Warzone.
Black Ops 6's monetization strategy includes seasonal battle passes (1,100 COD Points/$9.99), a premium BlackCell option ($29.99), and a continuous stream of store cosmetics. The TMNT crossover's premium event pass adds another layer to this already substantial cost.
Players express concern about the cumulative cost—the game itself, battle pass, BlackCell, and now premium event passes. The sentiment is that this level of monetization is unsustainable unless the multiplayer component transitions to a free-to-play model.
Activision's aggressive monetization isn't new, but the premium event pass has pushed some players to their limit. The standardized monetization across Black Ops 6 and Warzone is seen as particularly unfair, as what might be acceptable for a free-to-play game isn't for a full-priced title.
Despite the criticism, Black Ops 6's success remains undeniable. It boasts the biggest Call of Duty launch ever, setting new records. Sales on PlayStation and Steam soared 60% compared to 2023's Modern Warfare 3. This financial success likely ensures Activision and Microsoft will maintain their current monetization strategy.
