Call of Duty's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover is sparking outrage among players due to its exorbitant cost. Unlocking all the themed items could cost players upwards of $90 in COD Points, leading to calls for Activision to make Black Ops 6 free-to-play.
Activision's February 20th announcement of Black Ops 6 Season 02 Reloaded detailed the crossover, revealing individual premium bundles for each Turtle (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael). Each bundle is expected to cost 2,400 COD Points ($19.99), totaling $80 for the complete set.
The community is criticizing the lack of gameplay-affecting items within the crossover, highlighting the purely cosmetic nature of the expensive content. Many argue that ignoring the crossover is easy, but the high cost and the introduction of a second premium event pass (following the Squid Game crossover) are fueling the discontent. Players are comparing Black Ops 6's monetization to free-to-play titles like Fortnite.
Black Ops 6's monetization strategy includes a base battle pass ($9.99), a premium BlackCell option ($29.99), and a continuous stream of purchasable cosmetics. The premium event pass adds another layer to this already extensive system, leading players to demand a free-to-play model for the multiplayer component, especially considering the game's $70 price tag.
While Activision's aggressive monetization isn't new, the premium event pass has pushed player frustration to a new high. The standardized monetization across Black Ops 6 and Warzone is particularly problematic, as what's acceptable for a free-to-play title like Warzone isn't necessarily acceptable for a full-priced game.
Despite the backlash, Activision and Microsoft will likely maintain their current strategy, given Black Ops 6's record-breaking launch and impressive sales figures. The game's financial success justifies the current monetization model, regardless of player complaints.