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

Black Ops 6's latest crossover with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) has ignited a firestorm of criticism, primarily due to the exorbitant prices of the new skins. This article delves into the reasons behind the fan backlash against Activision's monetization strategy.

Black Ops 6 Faces Fan Backlash Over Pricing

Expensive TMNT Skins in BO6

The Season 2 Reloaded event introduced TMNT skins, but their cost has left many players feeling frustrated. Unlocking each turtle—Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello—requires a $20 purchase. Master Splinter's skin is available via the premium Battle Pass for $10. The total cost for all five characters, plus a $10 TMNT-themed weapon blueprint, comes to a staggering $100.

This pricing model has particularly angered fans given that Black Ops 6 is a full-priced game ($69.99). Comparisons to free-to-play titles like Fortnite, where similar bundles are significantly cheaper, have fueled the outrage. 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, the limited lifespan of these skins is a major concern. Activision is unlikely to carry these cosmetic packs over to future Black Ops installments, meaning players' investments are tied to a single game iteration. Reddit user SellMeYourSirin highlighted this issue: "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 may face a turning point if the player backlash intensifies. While future paid crossover events are anticipated, the current controversy could influence Activision's approach.

Black Ops 6's Mixed Steam Reviews

Black Ops 6 currently holds a "Mixed" rating on Steam, with only 47% of 10,696 user reviews recommending the game. The expensive skins are a significant factor, but other issues contribute to the negative reception. These include frequent game crashes, rampant hacking in multiplayer, and widespread dissatisfaction with Activision's increasing reliance on AI.

Steam user LemonRain exemplifies the frustration with game crashes: "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 players report encountering hackers who can instantly eliminate opponents, rendering matches unplayable. One user described waiting 15 minutes in a lobby only to be matched with hackers.

Activision's increasing use of AI has also prompted a unique form of protest. Some users are submitting negative reviews generated by AI chatbots like ChatGPT, such as this one from Steam user Rundur: "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 widespread complaints, Black Ops 6 continues to generate substantial revenue through its costly battle passes, highlighting the ongoing tension between player dissatisfaction and Activision's profitable monetization strategy.