Activision's latest Black Ops 6 crossover event with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) has sparked significant backlash from fans due to the exorbitant pricing of its cosmetic content. This follows a pattern of expensive skins within the game, further fueling player frustration.
Black Ops 6 Faces Fan Backlash Over Pricing
Steep Price Tag for TMNT Skins in BO6
The Season 2 Reloaded event introduces Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello skins, each priced at $20. Master Splinter's skin is available via the premium Battle Pass track for $10. Adding these together, acquiring the full TMNT set costs a staggering $100, not including a separate $10 TMNT-themed weapon blueprint.
This pricing model has angered many players, particularly given Black Ops 6's $69.99 price tag. Comparisons to free-to-play titles like Fortnite, where similar bundles are significantly cheaper, highlight the perceived unfairness. Reddit user neverclaimsurv commented, "That is INSANE...In Fortnite I think I paid $25.00 for all 4 turtles, and that’s a free game."
Adding to the frustration, these skins are likely exclusive to Black Ops 6. There’s no guarantee they’ll carry over to future installments, making the significant investment less appealing. Reddit user SellMeYourSirin noted, "It has everything to do with the fact a full price game (that’s likely gonna be replaced within the next year) has THREE tiers of battle passes." The game features a free Battle Pass tier, but the remaining two are paid.
Despite being the highest-grossing video game in the United States in 2024, Activision's reliance on expensive in-game purchases remains a point of contention. While future paid crossover events are likely, sustained player pressure could potentially influence Activision’s monetization strategies.
Black Ops 6's Mixed Reception on Steam
Black Ops 6 currently holds a "Mixed" rating on Steam, with only 47% of 10,696 user reviews recommending the game. Beyond the pricing issues, players report numerous technical problems, including game crashes, rampant hacking in multiplayer, and concerns about Activision's increasing use of AI.
Steam user LemonRain exemplifies the technical issues: "this game has had problems with hard crashing since launch, but the latest update has made it so I can’t complete a single match. Reinstalling. Safe mode. Support. Nothing works and I have given up."
Other users describe encountering hackers capable of instantly eliminating opponents, sometimes even before a match begins. One player reported waiting 15 minutes in a lobby only to be matched with hackers.
Finally, some players are using AI-generated reviews to protest Activision's shift toward AI development. Steam user Rundur wrote, "Since Activision can't be bothered hiring real people anymore, I've decided to take advantage of AI myself and ask ChatGPT to write this negative review for me. Enjoy."
Despite these widespread complaints, Black Ops 6 continues to generate substantial revenue through its costly battle passes, a stark contrast to the pricing models of many competitor shooter games.
