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

Black Ops 6's TMNT Crossover Sparks Outrage Over Pricing

Activision's latest Black Ops 6 crossover event, featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) as part of Season 2 Reloaded, has ignited a firestorm of criticism from players due to its exorbitant pricing.

The high cost of the TMNT skins is the primary source of contention. Each turtle (Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello) costs a hefty $20 to unlock, while Master Splinter is available for $10 as part of the premium Battle Pass. Acquiring the entire set, along with a $10 TMNT-themed weapon blueprint, totals a staggering $100.

This pricing model has drawn sharp comparisons to free-to-play competitors like Fortnite, where similar bundles are significantly cheaper. 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." The frustration is amplified by the fact that Black Ops 6 itself carries a $69.99 price tag.

Adding insult to injury, the limited-time nature of these skins raises concerns. Players fear that their purchases will become obsolete with the release of the next Black Ops title, rendering their investment worthless. 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 the backlash, Activision's aggressive monetization strategy is unlikely to change soon. Black Ops 6 remains a top-grossing title in the US (2024), making it a lucrative platform for these expensive crossover events.

Black Ops 6's Troubled Steam Reviews

The negative sentiment is reflected in Black Ops 6's "Mixed" Steam reviews (47% positive), with numerous complaints extending beyond the pricing issue. Players report frequent game crashes, rampant hacking ruining multiplayer matches, and concerns over Activision's increasing reliance on AI.

Steam user LemonRain sums up the 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." Other users describe encountering hackers who effortlessly eliminate opponents before matches even begin.

In a symbolic protest against Activision's AI integration, some users have even employed AI chatbots like ChatGPT to generate negative Steam reviews. 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 criticism and technical issues, Black Ops 6 continues to generate substantial revenue, largely driven by its expensive battle pass system. The future of Activision's monetization strategy remains uncertain, but the current player discontent is undeniable.