TMNT Crossover Fails: High Prices Disappoint Fans

Black Ops 6's latest crossover with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) has sparked significant backlash from fans due to the high cost of the new skins. This follows a pattern of expensive in-game purchases, further fueling player discontent.

Black Ops 6 Faces Fan Backlash Over Expensive TMNT Skins

Season 2 Reloaded's TMNT crossover features Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello skins, each priced at $20. Master Splinter's skin is available via the premium Battle Pass track for $10. Adding these together, players face a $100 cost, excluding a separate $10 TMNT-themed weapon blueprint.

This pricing has angered many players, particularly considering Black Ops 6's $69.99 price tag. Comparisons to free-to-play games like Fortnite, where similar bundles are significantly cheaper, highlight the perceived unfairness. One 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."

Adding to the frustration, these skins are likely to be exclusive to Black Ops 6, meaning players' investment won't carry over to future installments. 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." The game features a free tier and two paid tiers, adding to the overall cost.

Despite being the highest-grossing video game in the United States in 2024, Activision's monetization strategy faces potential scrutiny. While future paid crossover events are likely, continued fan pressure could influence future pricing decisions.

Black Ops 6's Mixed Steam Reviews Reflect Player Concerns

Black Ops 6 currently holds a "Mixed" rating on Steam, with only 47% of 10,696 user reviews recommending the game. Beyond the expensive skins, numerous complaints cite game-crashing issues, rampant hacking, and Activision's increasing reliance on AI.

Steam user LemonRain exemplifies the frustration, stating, "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 report frequent encounters with hackers, sometimes even before matches begin. One player described waiting 15 minutes in a lobby only to be paired with hackers.

In protest against Activision's increased use of AI, some users are utilizing 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, Black Ops 6 continues to generate substantial revenue through its costly battle passes, a strategy that contrasts with many other shooter games.