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's February 20th reveal of Black Ops 6 Season 02 Reloaded detailed the crossover, showcasing individual premium bundles for each Turtle (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael). Each bundle is anticipated to cost 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, including two Foot Clan soldier skins.

The backlash centers on the lack of gameplay-altering items within the crossover. Cosmetics are purely aesthetic, and purchasing them doesn't impact competitive balance. Many players argue that ignoring the crossover is easy, but the pricing remains a significant point of contention.

Reddit user II_JangoFett_II summarized the sentiment: “Activision casually glossing over the fact that they want you to pay $80+ for the Turtles, plus another $10+ for the event pass.” Other players echoed concerns about the potential for seasonal premium event passes, lamenting the shift away from free, universally appealing event rewards.

Black Ops 6's monetization strategy already includes a base battle pass ($9.99), a premium BlackCell version ($29.99), and a continuous stream of store cosmetics. The premium event pass adds another layer, prompting comparisons to free-to-play titles like Fortnite. Players are voicing frustration at paying $70 for the game, only to face additional substantial microtransaction costs.

Activision's aggressive monetization isn't new, but the premium event pass, introduced with the Squid Game crossover, has intensified player dissatisfaction. The consistent monetization across Black Ops 6 and the free-to-play Warzone is particularly criticized, as practices acceptable in a free game aren't necessarily justifiable for a full-priced title.

The demand for a free-to-play Black Ops 6 Multiplayer stems from this perceived disparity. Each microtransaction further blurs the lines between Black Ops 6 and other free-to-play competitors.

Despite the backlash, Activision and Microsoft are unlikely to alter their course. Black Ops 6 achieved record-breaking sales and subscriptions, demonstrating the franchise's enduring popularity and financial success. While player frustration is undeniable, the game's commercial performance suggests Activision will maintain its current monetization strategy.