Fans are increasingly frustrated with Black Ops 6's expensive skins, particularly following the announcement of the upcoming crossover with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Dive deeper to understand why many fans are expressing dissatisfaction with Activision's approach to monetization.
Black Ops 6 Facing Backlash From Fans
BO6 Expensive Crossover TMNT Skins
The excitement surrounding Black Ops 6's latest crossover event with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) as part of its Season 2 Reloaded event has been overshadowed by the high cost of the skins. Fans are vocal about their disappointment with the skins being locked behind a steep paywall.
To unlock Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello, players must shell out $20 per character, totaling $80. Additionally, Master Splinter’s skin is available for $10 through the Battlepass Premium Track. When you factor in the $10 TMNT-themed weapon blueprint, the total cost reaches a staggering $100.
The frustration is palpable, especially since Black Ops 6 is not a free-to-play game but retails at $69.99. Fans have taken to platforms like Reddit to express their discontent, with user neverclaimsurv stating, "That is INSANE. In Fortnite, I think I paid $25.00 for all 4 turtles, and that's a free game."
Moreover, the investment in these skins seems short-lived. Activision is unlikely to carry over these cosmetic items to future Black Ops titles, leaving players with a sense of wasted expenditure. Reddit user SellMeYourSirin highlighted this issue, pointing 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 offers a free first tier, but the subsequent two tiers require additional payment.
As Black Ops 6 remains the highest-grossing video game in the United States in 2024, it's unlikely that Activision will dial back on these lucrative crossover events. However, a shift in strategy could be on the horizon if fans continue to voice their concerns.
Black Ops 6’s Mixed Steam Review
Black Ops 6's reception on Steam is telling, with 10,696 mixed reviews and only 47% of users recommending the game. Beyond the criticism over expensive skins, players report significant technical issues, including PC crashes. User LemonRain shared their 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."
Additionally, the multiplayer experience is marred by hackers who can kill opponents instantly, even before matches begin. One player waited 15 minutes in a lobby only to be matched with hackers, further souring the gameplay experience.
In a unique form of protest against Activision's increasing reliance on AI, some users are using AI chatbots like ChatGPT to generate negative reviews. Steam user Rundur posted, "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 issues, Black Ops 6 continues to generate substantial revenue, largely driven by its costly battle passes, which stand out as pricier than those of many other shooter games.
