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 latest 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's February 20th announcement of Black Ops 6 Season 02 Reloaded detailed the crossover, revealing that each of the four Turtles (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael) has its own premium bundle priced at an estimated 2,400 COD Points ($19.99) each. Acquiring the complete set would cost approximately $80.

Adding insult to injury, a premium event pass, mirroring the controversial Squid Game crossover, is available for 1,100 COD Points ($10), offering exclusive cosmetics like Splinter. The free track offers limited rewards.

The community's criticism centers on the lack of gameplay-altering items within the crossover. Many argue that the cosmetic-heavy nature of the event makes it easily ignorable, yet the price point remains a significant concern.

Reddit users voiced their frustration, with one stating, “Activision casually glossing over the fact that they want you to pay $80+ for the Turtles, plus another $10+ for the event pass.” Others predicted the introduction of seasonal event passes, lamenting the shift from free, universally appealing event rewards.

Black Ops 6's monetization strategy is multifaceted, including a base battle pass ($9.99), a premium BlackCell option ($29.99), and a continuous stream of store cosmetics. The premium event pass adds another layer to this already extensive system, leading players to compare it to free-to-play titles like Fortnite.

The aggressive monetization isn't new for Activision, but the premium event pass has pushed many players to their breaking point. The standardized monetization across the $70 Black Ops 6 and the free-to-play Warzone is particularly irksome, as what might be acceptable for a free game isn't necessarily so for a full-priced title.

This disparity fuels the demand for Black Ops 6 Multiplayer to become free-to-play. Each microtransaction further blurs the line between Black Ops 6 and free-to-play competitors like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Warzone.

Despite the backlash, Activision and Microsoft are unlikely to alter their course, given Black Ops 6's record-breaking success. The game's impressive launch figures demonstrate its profitability, justifying the current monetization strategy from a financial perspective.