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 set players back a hefty $90 in COD Points, prompting widespread calls for Activision to transition Black Ops 6 to a free-to-play model.
Activision recently revealed the Black Ops 6 Season 02 Reloaded content, including the TMNT crossover. Each of the four turtles boasts a premium bundle priced at 2,400 COD Points ($19.99), totaling $80 for the complete set. Adding insult to injury, a premium event pass costing 1,100 COD Points ($10) is required to obtain Splinter, a key character in the crossover. The free track offers limited cosmetics.
The community's frustration stems from the crossover's focus on purely cosmetic items with no impact on gameplay. Many argue that ignoring these expensive additions is easy, yet the pricing remains a major point of contention.
The outcry intensifies as this marks the second premium event pass in Call of Duty, leading players to believe Black Ops 6 is increasingly adopting a free-to-play monetization strategy similar to Fortnite. Reddit users voiced their anger, highlighting the excessive cost and the potential for future seasonal event passes.
Black Ops 6's monetization already includes a base battle pass ($9.99), a premium BlackCell option ($29.99), and a constant stream of store-bought cosmetics. The addition of the premium event pass on top of this existing system is deemed unacceptable by many, especially considering the game's $70 price tag.
The comparison to free-to-play games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Warzone is frequently made, underscoring the perceived disparity between Black Ops 6's pricing and its monetization practices. The standardized monetization across Black Ops 6 and the free-to-play Warzone further fuels this criticism.
Despite the backlash, Activision and Microsoft are unlikely to alter their strategy, given Black Ops 6's record-breaking launch and impressive sales figures. The game's financial success justifies the current monetization model for the company.
