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, leading many to believe Activision should consider making Black Ops 6 free-to-play.
Activision recently unveiled the Black Ops 6 Season 02 Reloaded content, including the mid-season TMNT crossover. 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, offering exclusive cosmetics like Splinter, unavailable through any other means. The free track provides a couple of Foot Clan soldier skins.
While the crossover focuses heavily on cosmetic items with no impact on gameplay, the community's frustration is palpable. Many argue the high cost, particularly the introduction of a second premium event pass (following the Squid Game crossover), suggests Black Ops 6 is adopting a free-to-play monetization model, similar to Fortnite.
Reddit users are voicing their discontent, highlighting the excessive cost and questioning the future of in-game events. One user commented, “Activision casually glossing over the fact that they want you to pay $80+ if you want the 4 Turtles, plus another $10+ if you want the TMNT event pass rewards…DESPICABLE!” Others lament the shift from free event rewards to a pay-to-win model.
Black Ops 6's monetization strategy already includes a base battle pass (1,100 COD Points/$9.99), a premium BlackCell version ($29.99), and a constant stream of store cosmetics. The Turtles crossover's premium event pass adds another layer to this already extensive system.
Players are expressing their belief that the current monetization is excessive, especially considering the game's $70 price tag. The comparison to free-to-play titles like Fortnite is increasingly prevalent, with many advocating for Black Ops 6 Multiplayer to transition to a free-to-play model to justify the aggressive monetization.
Despite the criticism, Activision and Microsoft are unlikely to alter their course, given Black Ops 6's record-breaking launch and impressive sales figures. The game's success is undeniably lucrative, justifying the current monetization strategy for the financial stakeholders.
