Black Ops 6's TMNT Crossover Sparks Player Outrage Over Pricing
Activision's latest Black Ops 6 crossover event featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) has ignited a firestorm of criticism from players due to its exorbitant pricing. The Season 2 Reloaded event locks the individual TMNT skins—Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello—behind a $20 paywall each. Master Splinter's skin is available via the $10 Premium Battle Pass. This adds up to a staggering $100 for the complete set, excluding a separate $10 TMNT-themed weapon blueprint.
This pricing model has particularly angered players given that Black Ops 6 is a full-priced game ($69.99). Comparisons to free-to-play titles like Fortnite, where similar bundles are significantly cheaper, have fueled the backlash. Reddit users have voiced their frustration, highlighting the perceived unfairness of paying a premium price for the game and then facing additional steep costs for cosmetic content.
Adding insult to injury, the limited-time nature of the crossover means these purchased skins likely won't carry over to future Black Ops installments. This perceived lack of value for money has further intensified player discontent. The game's three-tiered battle pass system (one free, two paid) has also been criticized as excessively monetized.
Despite being the top-grossing video game in the US in 2024, Activision's reliance on costly crossover events and battle passes shows no signs of abating. However, the mounting negative feedback from its player base may eventually force a reevaluation of this monetization strategy.
Black Ops 6's Troubled Steam Reviews
Black Ops 6 currently boasts a "Mixed" rating on Steam, with only 47% of 10,696 user reviews recommending the game. Beyond the pricing concerns, players are reporting significant technical issues, including game-crashing bugs and rampant cheating. Some users describe unplayable experiences due to frequent crashes, despite attempts at troubleshooting and contacting support.
The prevalence of hackers is another major complaint, with players reporting matches ruined by cheaters who can instantly eliminate opponents. Furthermore, Activision's increasing use of AI has prompted some players to express their dissent by submitting AI-generated negative reviews as a form of protest.
Despite the overwhelmingly negative player feedback and technical issues, Black Ops 6 continues to generate substantial revenue through its high-priced battle pass system, highlighting the ongoing tension between player satisfaction and the game's lucrative monetization model.
