Black Ops 6's latest crossover with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) has sparked significant backlash from fans due to the high cost of the in-game skins. This follows a pattern of expensive cosmetic items within the game, further fueling player frustration.
Black Ops 6 Faces Fan Backlash Over Pricing
Exorbitant Prices for TMNT Skins in BO6
The Season 2 Reloaded event's TMNT crossover features Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello skins, each priced at $20. Master Splinter's skin is available via the premium Battle Pass for $10. Adding these together, players face a potential $100 cost, excluding a $10 TMNT-themed weapon blueprint. This pricing has drawn considerable criticism, particularly given Black Ops 6's $69.99 price tag. Comparisons to free-to-play games like Fortnite, where similar bundles are significantly cheaper, highlight the perceived unfairness. One Reddit user, neverclaimsurv, aptly summarized the sentiment: "That is INSANE...In Fortnite I think I paid $25.00 for all 4 turtles, and that’s a free game."
Adding to the discontent is the likelihood that these skins will not carry over to future Black Ops installments. This means players' significant investment is tied to a single game with a limited lifespan. Reddit user SellMeYourSirin commented, "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's three-tiered battle pass system, with two paid tiers, further exacerbates the issue.
Despite being the highest-grossing video game in the United States in 2024, Activision's continued reliance on expensive crossover events remains a point of contention. However, sustained fan pressure could potentially influence future monetization strategies.
Black Ops 6's Mixed Steam Reviews Reflect Player Concerns
Black Ops 6 currently holds a "Mixed" rating on Steam, with only 47% of 10,696 user reviews recommending the game. Criticisms extend beyond pricing, encompassing reported PC crashes, rampant hacking in multiplayer, and the increasing use of AI by Activision.
Steam user LemonRain exemplifies the frustration with 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 players report encountering cheaters who can instantly eliminate opponents, sometimes even before matches begin. One user described a 15-minute wait only to be placed in a lobby with hackers.
In a unique form of protest against Activision's increasing reliance on AI, some users are submitting negative reviews generated by AI chatbots like ChatGPT. Steam user Rundur's review reads, "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, highlighting the ongoing tension between player dissatisfaction and the game's financial success.
