Activision's Costly Call of Duty Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Crossover Has Some Players Saying Black Ops 6 Should Just Go Free-to-Play at This Point

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 staggering $90 in COD Points, prompting widespread calls for Activision to transition Black Ops 6 to a free-to-play model.

Activision recently unveiled the Black Ops 6 Season 02 Reloaded content, including the TMNT crossover. Each of the four Turtles (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael) receives its own premium bundle, priced at an estimated 2,400 COD Points ($19.99) each. Acquiring the complete set thus costs approximately $80.

Adding insult to injury, a premium event pass, mirroring the controversial Squid Game crossover, is available for 1,100 COD Points ($10). This pass grants access to exclusive cosmetics, including Splinter, unavailable through any other means. The free track offers limited cosmetics, including two Foot Clan soldier skins.

The backlash stems from the crossover's focus on purely cosmetic items, with no impact on gameplay. Many players argue that ignoring the crossover is easy, leaving the high-spending players to themselves. However, the steep price point, particularly the premium event pass, is fueling criticism. Players are drawing parallels to free-to-play games like Fortnite, suggesting Black Ops 6's monetization strategy has shifted aggressively towards a similar model.

Reddit users voiced their frustrations, highlighting the cumulative cost of the bundles and the event pass. Concerns are rising about the potential for seasonal premium event passes becoming the norm. One player sarcastically noted the Turtles' lack of firearms, questioning the thematic coherence of the crossover's monetization.

Black Ops 6's monetization extends beyond this crossover, 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 additional premium event pass is viewed as excessive, especially considering the game's initial $70 price tag.

The comparison to free-to-play titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Warzone is unavoidable. Many argue that the aggressive monetization strategy, while perhaps acceptable for free-to-play games, is unacceptable for a full-priced title. This disparity is driving the demand for Black Ops 6's multiplayer component to adopt a free-to-play structure.

Despite the player backlash, Activision and Microsoft are unlikely to alter their course, given Call of Duty's phenomenal success. Black Ops 6 achieved record-breaking sales and subscriptions, demonstrating the franchise's continued profitability. This financial success will undoubtedly outweigh concerns from a vocal, albeit significant, portion of the player base.