Activision's latest Black Ops 6 crossover with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) has sparked significant backlash from fans due to the exorbitant prices of the new skins. This follows a pattern of increasingly expensive cosmetic options within the game, leading to widespread frustration among players.
Black Ops 6 Faces Fan Backlash Over Pricing
Expensive TMNT Skins in BO6
The Season 2 Reloaded event's TMNT crossover features individual skins for Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello, each priced at $20. Master Splinter's skin is available via the premium Battle Pass track for an additional $10. This brings the total cost to $90 for the full set, excluding a $10 TMNT-themed weapon blueprint.
This pricing model has ignited considerable outrage, particularly given that Black Ops 6 is a full-priced game ($69.99). Comparisons to free-to-play games like Fortnite, where similar bundles are significantly cheaper, have fueled the criticism. 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 is the likelihood that these skins will not carry over to future Black Ops installments. This means players' significant investment in these cosmetics will be lost with the release of a new game. Reddit user SellMeYourSirin points out, "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."
Despite being the highest-grossing video game in the United States in 2024, Activision's reliance on costly microtransactions remains a contentious issue. While future paid crossover events are likely to continue, the intensity of this backlash could potentially influence Activision's monetization strategies.
Black Ops 6's Mixed Steam Reviews
Currently holding a "Mixed" rating on Steam with 10,696 user reviews (47% positive), Black Ops 6 is facing widespread criticism. Beyond the pricing concerns, players are reporting numerous technical issues, including game crashes and rampant hacking. The use of AI within the game is also a source of significant player discontent.
One Steam user, LemonRain, summarized their experience: "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."
Reports of hackers dominating matches, sometimes even before games begin, are prevalent. One player described waiting 15 minutes in a lobby only to be matched with hackers.
Further highlighting the player frustration is the use of AI-generated reviews as a form of protest against Activision's increasing reliance on AI. Steam user Rundur's review exemplifies this: "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 the negative feedback and technical issues, Black Ops 6 continues to generate substantial revenue through its expensive battle passes, underscoring the ongoing debate about the balance between monetization and player satisfaction in the gaming industry.
