The recent *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* crossover in *Black Ops 6* has sparked outrage among fans due to the exorbitant prices of the in-game skins. This isn't the first time *Black Ops 6*'s monetization has faced criticism, but the TMNT event has pushed many players to their breaking point.
Black Ops 6 Faces Backlash Over Expensive TMNT Skins
The *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* crossover, part of Season 2 Reloaded, features individual skins for Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello, each costing a hefty $20. Master Splinter’s skin is available through the premium Battle Pass for $10, bringing the total cost to $90, before even considering the additional $10 TMNT-themed weapon blueprint. This pricing has led to significant backlash, especially considering *Black Ops 6* is a full-priced game at $69.99.
Many players have taken to social media to express their disappointment, drawing comparisons to free-to-play games like *Fortnite*, where similar bundles are significantly cheaper. 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 insult to injury, these skins are likely to be exclusive to *Black Ops 6*. With a new *Black Ops* title anticipated in the near future, players who purchased these cosmetic packs will lose their investment once the next game launches. Reddit user SellMeYourSirin highlighted this issue, stating, "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 the negative reaction, Activision is unlikely to change its monetization strategy anytime soon, given *Black Ops 6*'s success as the highest-grossing video game in the United States in 2024. However, continued pressure from the fanbase could potentially influence future decisions.
Black Ops 6's Mixed Steam Reviews Reflect Player Frustration
With 10,696 Mixed Steam user reviews (47% positive), *Black Ops 6* is facing widespread criticism. Beyond the expensive skins, players are reporting numerous issues, including game crashes, rampant hacking in multiplayer, and concerns about Activision's increasing reliance on AI.
Steam user LemonRain summed up the experience for many, 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 players describe encountering hackers who can instantly eliminate opponents, ruining the multiplayer experience.
In a unique form of protest, some users are using AI chatbots like ChatGPT to generate negative Steam reviews, highlighting their frustration with Activision's decisions. 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 complaints, *Black Ops 6* continues to rake in significant revenue through its costly battle passes, highlighting a concerning trend in the gaming industry.
