Yes, you are reading it correctly, and no it aint clickbait. Activision’s latest Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 crossover with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has ignited controversy within the gaming community, with fans slamming the event as a blatant cash grab. The collaboration, which introduces all four iconic turtles—Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo—comes at a staggering cost of nearly $90 for players looking to collect everything.
The Breakdown of the Pricing
Each turtle skin is locked behind individual bundles priced at 2,400 COD Points (approximately $19.99 per bundle). For those looking to complete the full set, that totals around $80. Adding to the cost, Activision has also launched a TMNT event pass, which includes a Splinter skin and additional cosmetics for another 1,100 COD Points (about $10). In total, dedicated fans would need to spend around $90 to fully engage with the event’s content.
The Community’s Response: “Shell-Shocked” by Greed
The price tag has sparked intense criticism from the Call of Duty community, with players accusing Activision of prioritizing profits over player experience. A top post on the CODWarzone subreddit captured the frustration, 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. Call of Duty’s gross greed strikes again… despicable!”
Players have also drawn comparisons to Fortnite, which offers a similar TMNT crossover bundle—including all four turtles—for just $34, highlighting the stark difference in pricing strategies between the two games.
Monetization Overload?
While cosmetics in Call of Duty remain optional, many argue that the pricing of this event sets a troubling precedent for future collaborations. The increasing cost of in-game content has been a point of contention within the gaming industry, and this TMNT crossover has only fueled concerns that premium-priced bundles are becoming the norm rather than the exception.
With backlash growing and players voicing their discontent across social media, it remains to be seen whether Activision will respond or if this high-priced crossover will serve as yet another example of the industry’s push toward aggressive monetization.
