Black Ops 6's latest crossover with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) has sparked significant backlash from fans due to the exorbitant pricing of its cosmetic content. This follows a pattern of expensive skins within the game, further fueling player discontent.
Black Ops 6 Faces Fan Backlash Over Expensive TMNT Skins
The Season 2 Reloaded event's TMNT crossover features individual skins for Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello, each priced at $20. Master Splinter's skin is available via the premium Battle Pass track for $10. This brings the total cost to $90, excluding a $10 TMNT-themed weapon blueprint. This pricing model has drawn sharp criticism, particularly given that Black Ops 6 is a full-priced game ($69.99). Comparisons to free-to-play games like Fortnite, where similar bundles are significantly cheaper, have amplified the negative sentiment. One Reddit user, neverclaimsurv, aptly summarized the feeling: "That is INSANE...In Fortnite I think I paid $25.00 for all 4 turtles, and that’s a free game."
Adding to the frustration, there's no guarantee these skins will carry over to future Black Ops installments. The limited lifespan of these purchases further exacerbates the perceived value proposition. Reddit user SellMeYourSirin highlighted 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."
Despite being the highest-grossing video game in the United States in 2024, Activision's reliance on expensive cosmetic content is facing increasing scrutiny. While future paid crossover events are likely, sustained player pressure could potentially influence Activision's monetization strategy.
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 concerns, significant technical issues are contributing to the negative feedback. Players report frequent crashes, impacting gameplay significantly. One Steam user, LemonRain, describes their 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."
Furthermore, rampant cheating is impacting the multiplayer experience. Players report encountering hackers who can instantly kill opponents, rendering matches unfair and frustrating. The waiting times exacerbated by these issues have also been highlighted, with one user reporting a 15-minute wait only to be matched with hackers.
Activision's increasing use of AI has also drawn criticism, with some users submitting negative reviews generated by AI chatbots as a form of protest. Steam user Rundur's review exemplifies this: "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 overwhelmingly negative player feedback and technical issues, Black Ops 6 continues to generate substantial revenue, primarily through its costly battle passes. The game's financial success, however, is juxtaposed against a backdrop of widespread player dissatisfaction.
