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 TMNT crossover, revealing that each turtle (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael) has its own premium bundle priced at approximately $20. Acquiring the complete set thus costs roughly $80.

Adding insult to injury, a premium event pass, costing an additional $10, is required to obtain Splinter, a key character in the crossover. The free track offers limited cosmetics. The crossover's focus on purely cosmetic items, with no impact on gameplay, further fuels player frustration.

The community's criticism centers on Activision's aggressive monetization strategies, mirroring those of free-to-play titles. The introduction of a second premium event pass (following the Squid Game crossover) reinforces this perception.

Reddit users expressed their anger, 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 predict the implementation of seasonal event passes, lamenting the shift from previously generous free event rewards.

Black Ops 6's monetization model is already complex, including a base battle pass ($10), a premium BlackCell option ($30), and a continuous stream of store purchases. The premium event pass adds another layer, prompting comparisons to free-to-play games like Fortnite.

Players argue that this aggressive monetization is excessive, especially considering the game's $70 price tag. The consistent monetization across Black Ops 6 and the free-to-play Warzone is seen as particularly unfair to Black Ops 6 players.

Despite the backlash, Activision and Microsoft are unlikely to alter their strategy, given Black Ops 6's record-breaking success. Its massive launch and strong sales figures demonstrate the profitability of the current model. However, the growing discontent within the community highlights a significant disconnect between Activision's monetization approach and player expectations.