F2P for CoD? Costly TMNT Crossover Spurs Debate

Call of Duty's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover is sparking outrage among players due to its exorbitant cost. Unlocking all the themed items could set players back a hefty $90 in COD Points, prompting widespread calls for Activision to transition Black Ops 6 to a free-to-play model.

Activision's February 20th announcement of Black Ops 6 Season 02 Reloaded detailed the crossover, revealing individual premium bundles for each Turtle (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael). These bundles are anticipated to cost 2,400 COD Points ($19.99) each, totaling $80 for the complete set.

The Leonardo Tracer Pack, priced at 2,400 COD Points or $19.99. Image credit: Activision Publishing.

Adding insult to injury, a premium event pass costing 1,100 COD Points ($10) is required to obtain Splinter, a key character in the crossover. The free track offers limited cosmetics, including two Foot Clan soldier skins.

The community's criticism centers on the lack of gameplay-affecting items within the crossover. Many argue the cosmetics are purely aesthetic and easily ignored, yet the pricing model is deemed excessive. The introduction of a second premium event pass (following the Squid Game crossover) fuels concerns that Black Ops 6 is adopting a free-to-play monetization strategy, similar to Fortnite.

The Turtles event pass, only the second of its kind in Call of Duty history. Image credit: Activision Publishing.

Reddit user II_JangoFett_II voiced the sentiment of many, criticizing Activision's "gross greed" and the potential for seasonal premium event passes. Other players lament the shift from free, universally appealing event rewards to a pay-to-win system.

Black Ops 6's monetization strategy already includes a base battle pass ($9.99), a premium BlackCell version ($29.99), and a continuous stream of store cosmetics. The addition of the premium event pass further exacerbates the issue, leading players to question the value proposition of a $70 game with such aggressive microtransactions.

The comparison to free-to-play titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Warzone is inevitable, highlighting the disconnect between Black Ops 6's price point and its monetization tactics. While Activision and Microsoft will likely maintain their current approach given Black Ops 6's record-breaking success, the player backlash underscores the growing discontent with the game's increasingly monetized landscape.