Fans are growing increasingly frustrated with the monetization model in Black Ops 6, particularly following the announcement of the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) crossover. Despite the excitement surrounding the iconic collaboration, many players feel let down by the steep pricing of in-game cosmetics. Read on to find out why the community is pushing back against Activision’s latest paywall strategy.
Black Ops 6 Under Fire Over TMNT Crossover Pricing
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover, part of Black Ops 6’s Season 2 Reloaded update, has sparked backlash due to its premium pricing structure. Each of the four turtle skins—Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello—is priced at $20 individually. Master Splinter’s skin is locked behind the $10 Battle Pass Premium Track. When combined with the $10 TMNT-themed weapon blueprint—cosmetically inspired by Master Splinter’s weapon—the total cost reaches a staggering $100.
What’s making the situation worse is that Black Ops 6 is not a free-to-play title. Players already paid $69.99 for the base game, and now face additional costs for cosmetic content. This has led to comparisons with other titles like Fortnite, where similar crossover content was offered at a much lower price point. “That is INSANE,” commented Reddit user neverclaimsurv. “In Fortnite I think I paid $25.00 for all 4 turtles, and that’s a free game.”
Another major concern is the long-term value of these purchases. Given that Activision typically releases a new Black Ops installment annually, it’s unlikely these exclusive skins will carry over to future games. Reddit user SellMeYourSirin pointed this out, stating, “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.” The game features one free tier and two paid tiers, further fueling player frustration over perceived aggressive monetization.
Despite the criticism, Activision shows no signs of slowing down. As the highest-grossing video game in the United States in 2024, Black Ops 6 is expected to see more paid crossover events—unless player pushback forces a change in strategy.
Mixed Reception on Steam Amid Technical and Ethical Concerns
On Steam, Black Ops 6 currently holds 10,696 user reviews with a “Mixed” rating—only 47% of players recommend the game. Beyond pricing complaints, users are reporting persistent technical issues, including frequent crashes, especially after recent updates. Steam user LemonRain shared 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.”
Multiplayer integrity is also under scrutiny, with numerous reports of hackers disrupting matches. Some players claim to encounter opponents who can instantly eliminate entire teams before the match even begins. One user described waiting 15 minutes in a lobby only to be matched with multiple cheaters.
Additionally, Activision’s increasing reliance on AI has triggered a wave of protest reviews. Some players have taken to using AI tools like ChatGPT to generate their Steam reviews as a form of ironic retaliation. Steam user Rundur wrote, “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 controversies, Black Ops 6 continues to generate strong revenue, largely driven by its multi-tiered battle pass system and premium cosmetic offerings—pricing that remains significantly higher than most competing titles in the shooter genre.
