Activision's TMNT Crossover Sparks Call of Duty F2P Debate

Call of Duty's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover is sparking outrage among players due to its hefty price tag. Unlocking all the themed items could cost up to $90 in COD Points, leading many to believe Activision should consider making Black Ops 6 free-to-play.

Activision's February 20th Black Ops 6 Season 02 Reloaded update revealed the crossover, featuring individual premium bundles for each Turtle (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael). Each bundle is expected to cost 2,400 COD Points ($19.99), totaling $80 for the complete set.

Adding to the cost, a premium event pass for 1,100 COD Points ($10) offers additional cosmetics, including Splinter, which is only obtainable through this purchase. The free track includes two Foot Clan soldier skins.

The crossover focuses heavily on cosmetics, with no gameplay-altering items. Many players argue this is easily ignorable, but the high cost continues to draw criticism. The introduction of a second premium event pass (following the Squid Game crossover) fuels the argument that Black Ops 6 is monetized like a free-to-play game.

Reddit users expressed their frustration, with one stating, “Activision casually glossing over the fact that they want you to pay $80+ if you want the 4 Turtles, plus another $10+ if you want the TMNT event pass rewards…DESPICABLE!” Others voiced concerns about the potential for seasonal event passes. One player humorously commented on the Turtles' lack of firearms, highlighting the absurdity of the cosmetic-heavy monetization.

Black Ops 6's monetization strategy includes a base battle pass (1,100 COD Points/$9.99), a premium BlackCell version ($29.99), and a constant stream of store cosmetics. The Turtles crossover, with its premium event pass, adds another layer to this already extensive system. Players argue that the combined cost of the game, battle pass, and additional microtransactions is excessive.

Activision's aggressive monetization isn't new, but the premium event pass, introduced with the Squid Game crossover, has intensified player backlash. The standardized monetization across the $70 Black Ops 6 and the free-to-play Warzone is a key point of contention. What's acceptable for Warzone isn't necessarily acceptable for a full-priced game.

This has led to calls for Black Ops 6 Multiplayer to go free-to-play. The current monetization increasingly resembles free-to-play titles like Fortnite and Warzone.

Despite the criticism, Activision and Microsoft will likely maintain their current strategy, given Black Ops 6's record-breaking launch and strong sales. The financial success of the game clearly justifies the current monetization model for the company.