TMNT Crossover Sparks Outrage Over High Prices in Black Ops 6

Frustration is mounting among Black Ops 6 players over costly cosmetic skins in the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover. Discover why Activision’s pricing strategy is fueling fan discontent.

Black Ops 6 Faces Fan Backlash

Costly TMNT Skins Stir Controversy

The Black Ops 6 Season 2 Reloaded event, featuring a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) crossover, has left fans frustrated due to steep prices for character skins locked behind a paywall.

Unlocking Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello costs $20 per turtle, while Master Splinter’s skin requires a $10 Battlepass Premium Track purchase. The total cost reaches $100, excluding an additional $10 for a TMNT-themed weapon blueprint tied to Master Splinter’s gear.

Fans are particularly upset because Black Ops 6, priced at $69.99, isn’t free-to-play. Many compare it to Fortnite, where similar skins cost less. Reddit user neverclaimsurv vented, "In Fortnite, I paid $25 for all four turtles in a free game. This is outrageous."

Adding to the frustration, skins purchased for Black Ops 6 are unlikely to carry over to future titles, as Activision typically phases out cosmetics with new releases. Reddit user SellMeYourSirin noted, "A full-price game, soon to be replaced, has three battle pass tiers, two of which cost extra." The first tier is free, but the others require payment.

As the top-grossing U.S. video game in 2024, Activision is poised to continue pricey crossover events. However, growing fan pushback could prompt a shift in strategy.

Black Ops 6 Earns Mixed Steam Reviews

With 10,696 Steam reviews and only 47% positive, Black Ops 6 is grappling with widespread player dissatisfaction. Beyond expensive skins, users report frequent PC crashes and rampant hacking in multiplayer modes, alongside criticism of Activision’s AI integration.

Steam user LemonRain shared, "Crashes have plagued this game since launch. The latest update makes it unplayable for me. Reinstalling, safe mode—nothing works. I’m done."

Others describe matches ruined by hackers who can wipe out opponents instantly. One player recounted waiting 15 minutes in a lobby only to face cheaters who dominated the game.

In protest of Activision’s AI use, some players have turned to AI tools like ChatGPT to write negative reviews. Steam user Rundur stated, "Since Activision relies on AI instead of real staff, I had ChatGPT draft this negative review for me."

Despite these issues, Black Ops 6 remains a revenue powerhouse, driven by its costly battle passes, which outprice those of competing shooters.