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 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover is sparking outrage among players due to its hefty price tag. Unlocking all the themed items could cost upwards of $90 in COD Points, leading many to believe Activision should consider making Black Ops 6 free-to-play.

Activision's recent announcement of Black Ops 6 Season 02 Reloaded, including the TMNT crossover, revealed that each Turtle (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael) has its own premium bundle, likely priced at 2,400 COD Points ($19.99) each. Collecting the entire set would therefore cost approximately $80.

Adding insult to injury, a premium event pass costing 1,100 COD Points ($10) is also available, offering additional cosmetics, including Splinter, obtainable only through this purchase. The free track offers some cosmetics, including two Foot Clan soldier skins.

The community is largely unimpressed, noting the crossover focuses heavily on cosmetic items with no impact on gameplay. Many argue that ignoring these purchases doesn't affect competitive play. However, the high cost, particularly the second ever premium event pass in Call of Duty, has reignited criticism of Activision's monetization strategies. Players are comparing it to free-to-play models like Fortnite.

Reddit users voiced their frustration, with one stating, “Activision casually glossing over the fact that they want you to pay $80+ if you want the 4 Turtles, plus another $10+ if you want the TMNT event pass rewards,” while others lamented the potential for seasonal event passes and the loss of free, universal camos. One player humorously pointed out the Turtles' lack of firearms, questioning the crossover's logic.

Black Ops 6's monetization model includes a base battle pass (1,100 COD Points/$9.99), a premium BlackCell version ($29.99), and a constant stream of purchasable cosmetics. The TMNT crossover and its event pass are layered on top of this existing system. Players are pushing back against the accumulating costs, suggesting a free-to-play model for the multiplayer component would be more reasonable, given the game's initial $70 price point.

Activision's aggressive monetization isn't new, but the introduction of premium event passes has amplified player discontent. The consistent monetization across Black Ops 6 and the free-to-play Warzone is a point of contention, with practices acceptable in a free game deemed unfair in a full-priced title.

The calls for Black Ops 6 multiplayer to go free-to-play are growing louder, as the game increasingly resembles free-to-play titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Warzone. Despite this backlash, Activision and Microsoft are unlikely to change course, given Black Ops 6's record-breaking launch and sales figures. The game's financial success, exceeding expectations and setting new records, will undoubtedly be seen as justification for the current monetization strategy.