Black Ops 6's latest crossover with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) has sparked significant backlash from fans due to the exorbitant prices of the in-game skins. This follows a pattern of expensive cosmetic items in the game, further fueling player frustration.

Black Ops 6 Faces Fan Backlash Over Pricing

Steep Price Tag for TMNT Skins

The Season 2 Reloaded event's TMNT crossover features Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello skins, each costing $20. Master Splinter is available via the Premium Battle Pass for $10. Adding a $10 TMNT-themed weapon blueprint brings the total cost to $90, a price point that has angered many players. The outrage is amplified by the fact that Black Ops 6 is a full-priced game ($69.99), adding insult to injury for players who feel they're paying twice for the same content. Comparisons to free-to-play games like Fortnite, where similar bundles are significantly cheaper, only exacerbate the issue. One Reddit user, neverclaimsurv, succinctly summed up the sentiment: "That is INSANE...In Fortnite I think I paid $25.00 for all 4 turtles, and that’s a free game."

Adding fuel to the fire is the likelihood that these skins will not carry over to future Black Ops installments. This means players investing significant sums in these cosmetics will essentially lose their purchase once the next game launches. Reddit user SellMeYourSirin highlights this concern: "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 contributes to the perception of aggressive monetization.

Despite being the highest-grossing video game in the United States in 2024, Activision's reliance on costly battle passes and crossover events remains a point of contention. While future paid events are likely, the intensity of the current backlash could potentially influence Activision's approach to monetization.

Black Ops 6's Mixed Reception on Steam

Black Ops 6 currently holds a "Mixed" rating on Steam, with only 47% of users recommending the game. Beyond the pricing concerns, players are reporting significant technical issues, including game crashes and rampant hacking in multiplayer. Steam user LemonRain exemplifies this frustration: "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 pervasive hacking, with players experiencing matches instantly dominated by cheaters, further damage the game's reputation. One Steam user described waiting 15 minutes in a lobby only to be matched with hackers.

Adding another layer to the criticism is the growing concern over Activision's increasing reliance on AI. Some users are even leveraging AI chatbots like ChatGPT to generate negative reviews as a form of protest. 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 the widespread negative feedback and technical issues, Black Ops 6 continues to generate substantial revenue through its costly battle passes, highlighting the ongoing tension between player satisfaction and Activision's monetization strategy.