TMNT Crossover Disappoints Fans: Prices Too High

The excitement surrounding the upcoming crossover between Black Ops 6 and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) has quickly turned to frustration among fans due to the high prices of the skins involved. Let's dive deeper into why fans are voicing their discontent with Activision's monetization strategy.

Black Ops 6 Facing Backlash From Fans

BO6 Expensive Crossover TMNT Skins

The Black Ops 6 Season 2 Reloaded event features a crossover with the beloved TMNT, but the cost of the skins has left fans feeling shortchanged. Each of the iconic turtles—Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello—requires a $20 purchase to unlock. Additionally, Master Splinter's skin is available only through the $10 Battlepass Premium Track. When you add the $10 TMNT-themed weapon blueprint, the total cost to own all these items climbs to a staggering $100.

The disappointment stems not just from the high prices but also from the fact that Black Ops 6 is a paid game, retailing at $69.99. Fans are drawing comparisons to other games like Fortnite, which offers similar content at a more reasonable price. A Reddit user, neverclaimsurv, expressed their frustration, stating, "That is INSANE. In Fortnite, I think I paid $25.00 for all 4 turtles, and that's a free game."

Furthermore, there's a concern that these skins may not carry over to future installments of Black Ops, rendering them a one-time use purchase. As Reddit user SellMeYourSirin pointed 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." This multi-tiered monetization system, with only the first tier being free, has added to the dissatisfaction.

Despite the backlash, as the highest-grossing video game in the United States in 2024, Black Ops 6 is unlikely to shy away from introducing more paid crossover events. However, a strong reaction from the fan base could influence future decisions.

Black Ops 6’s Mixed Steam Review

Black Ops 6 has received mixed reviews on Steam, with only 47% of the 10,696 reviews recommending the game. The issues go beyond just the expensive skins; players are also reporting technical problems, such as PC crashes. LemonRain, a Steam user, noted, "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."

Additionally, the presence of hackers in the multiplayer mode is a significant concern for many players. Some have reported encountering hackers who can kill all enemies instantly, ruining the gaming experience. A player mentioned waiting 15 minutes in a lobby only to be matched with hackers.

In protest against Activision's increasing use of AI, some users have taken to generating negative reviews using AI tools like ChatGPT. Steam user Rundur posted, "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 issues, Black Ops 6 continues to generate substantial revenue, driven in part by its lucrative battle pass system. As fans express their frustrations, the future of Black Ops 6's monetization strategy remains a topic of hot debate.