BO6 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Crossover Disappoints Fans Due to Exorbitant Prices

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. The outrage highlights growing concerns about the game's monetization strategy.

Black Ops 6 Faces Fan Backlash Over Pricing

High-Priced 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 through the premium Battle Pass for an additional $10. A TMNT-themed weapon blueprint adds another $10 to the total, bringing the potential cost to $90 for the full set. This pricing has angered many players.

The criticism is amplified by the fact that Black Ops 6 is a full-priced game ($69.99), making the additional cost for cosmetic items particularly galling. Comparisons to free-to-play titles like Fortnite, where similar content is often offered at significantly lower prices, fuel the discontent. One Reddit user, neverclaimsurv, succinctly 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 insult to injury, these purchases are likely non-transferable to future installments. Players who invest in these cosmetic packs will not be able to use them in subsequent Black Ops games. 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."

Despite being the highest-grossing video game in the United States in 2024, Activision’s aggressive monetization strategy is facing increasing scrutiny. While future paid crossover events are likely, the intensity of the current backlash could potentially influence future decisions.

Black Ops 6’s Mixed Reception on Steam

Black Ops 6 currently holds a "Mixed" rating on Steam, with only 47% of 10,696 user reviews recommending the game. Beyond the pricing issues, players cite several significant problems: frequent game crashes, rampant hacking in multiplayer, and Activision's increasing reliance on AI.

One Steam user, LemonRain, exemplifies the 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 further exacerbate the negative user experience. Players describe lobbies filled with hackers capable of instantly eliminating opponents, rendering matches unplayable. One user reported waiting 15 minutes in a lobby only to be matched with hackers.

Finally, Activision's shift towards AI development has also drawn criticism, with some users using AI-generated reviews to express their displeasure. Steam user Rundur's comment, "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," encapsulates this sentiment.

Despite these widespread complaints, Black Ops 6 continues to generate substantial revenue through its costly battle passes, highlighting a stark disconnect between player satisfaction and the game's financial success.