Call of Duty's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover is sparking outrage among players due to its steep price tag. Unlocking all the themed items could cost up to $90 in COD Points, leading many to believe Activision should consider making Black Ops 6 free-to-play.
Activision's recent announcement of Black Ops 6 Season 02 Reloaded, including the TMNT crossover, detailed premium bundles for each Turtle (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael), each costing an estimated 2,400 COD Points ($19.99). Collecting the entire set would thus require a significant $80 investment.
Adding insult to injury, a premium event pass costing 1,100 COD Points ($10) is also available, offering exclusive cosmetics like Splinter, obtainable only through this paid track. The free track provides some less desirable items.
While the crossover focuses primarily on cosmetic items with no impact on gameplay, the community's frustration stems from the sheer cost. Many argue that ignoring these purchases is easy, but the aggressive monetization is drawing heavy criticism. The introduction of a second premium event pass (following the Squid Game crossover) fuels comparisons to free-to-play models like Fortnite.
Reddit users voiced their concerns, highlighting the potential $90+ expense for the complete TMNT experience. Comments ranged from accusations of "gross greed" to predictions of future seasonal event passes. One user humorously pointed out the incongruity of non-gun-wielding Turtles in a gun-based game.
Black Ops 6's monetization strategy is multifaceted, including a base battle pass (1,100 COD Points/$9.99), a premium BlackCell version ($29.99), and a continuous stream of purchasable cosmetics. The TMNT crossover's premium event pass adds another layer to this already extensive system. Players feel burdened by the cumulative cost of the game itself, the battle pass, and now these additional event passes.
This aggressive monetization, while not entirely new for Activision, has pushed some players to advocate for a free-to-play model for Black Ops 6 Multiplayer, particularly given the standardized monetization across the $70 Black Ops 6 and the free-to-play Warzone. The argument is that what's acceptable for a free game isn't necessarily acceptable for a full-priced title.
Despite the criticism, Activision's approach is likely to remain unchanged, given Black Ops 6's record-breaking success, exceeding previous Call of Duty launches and setting new subscription records. The financial success is undeniable, making significant changes unlikely in the near future.
