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 upwards of $90 in COD Points, prompting some to call for Black Ops 6 to become free-to-play.
Activision revealed the Season 02 Reloaded content, including the TMNT crossover, on February 20th. Each Turtle (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael) boasts a premium bundle, likely priced at 2,400 COD Points ($19.99) each—a potential $80 investment for the complete set.
Adding insult to injury, a premium event pass costing 1,100 COD Points ($10) is also available, featuring exclusive cosmetics like Splinter. The free track offers some cosmetics, but Splinter remains locked behind the paywall.
The crossover focuses heavily on cosmetics, with no gameplay-altering elements. Many players argue this is easily ignorable, but the high cost continues to fuel criticism. The introduction of a second premium event pass (following the Squid Game crossover) has led to accusations of Black Ops 6 adopting a free-to-play monetization model, similar to Fortnite.
Reddit users voiced their frustration, highlighting the potential $90+ expense for the complete TMNT experience. Concerns are rising about the potential for seasonal premium event passes, contrasting them with past events offering free universal camos. One user humorously pointed out the Turtles' lack of firearms, questioning the crossover's logic.
Black Ops 6's monetization strategy is multifaceted, including a base battle pass (1,100 COD Points/$9.99), a premium BlackCell option ($29.99), and a constant stream of store cosmetics. The TMNT crossover's premium event pass adds another layer to this already extensive system.
Players express concern over the cumulative cost—the game itself, battle pass, BlackCell, and now premium event passes—suggesting a shift towards a free-to-play model is necessary to justify the expense.
Activision's aggressive monetization isn't new, but the premium event pass has pushed some fans to their limit. The standardized monetization across the $70 Black Ops 6 and the free-to-play Warzone further fuels the discontent. What might be acceptable for Warzone isn't necessarily so for a full-priced title.
The calls for a free-to-play Black Ops 6 Multiplayer stem from this perceived discrepancy. Each microtransaction further blurs the lines between Black Ops 6 and free-to-play titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, Marvel Rivals, and Warzone.
Despite the criticism, Activision and Microsoft are unlikely to change course. Black Ops 6 achieved record-breaking sales and subscriptions, significantly outperforming 2023's Modern Warfare 3. The financial success clearly outweighs the concerns of some players.
