Activision's TMNT Crossover in CoD Sparks Free-to-Play Demands

Call of Duty's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles collaboration may require up to $90 in COD Points to acquire all content — prompting community calls for Black Ops 6 to transition to free-to-play.

Activision revealed details about the Black Ops 6 Season 02 Reloaded update launching February 20, including the mid-season TMNT crossover event. Each turtle (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael) will receive a premium bundle likely priced at 2,400 COD Points ($19.99) based on previous collaborations.

Additionally, Activision introduced a premium event pass for 1,100 COD Points ($10) featuring Master Splinter — similar to the controversial Squid Game crossover model. The free track offers Foot Clan soldier skins and other cosmetics without affecting gameplay.

While optional, the $80+ investment for all four turtle bundles plus the event pass has reignited debates about Call of Duty's monetization approach. Many players argue these practices mirror free-to-play titles like Fortnite, despite Black Ops 6's $70 retail price.

Community reactions reflect growing frustration. "Remember when events rewarded cool universal camos for free?" one player reminisced, while another questioned the logic of "Turtles using guns." Critics highlight the stacking costs of a $70 base game, $10 seasonal battle passes, $30 BlackCell upgrades, constant store bundles, and now event passes.

This monetization strategy — particularly the new event pass system — mirrors free-to-play models despite Black Ops 6's premium price tag. The contrast becomes sharper when comparing multiplayer monetization between paid Black Ops 6 and free Warzone, leading to renewed calls for multiplayer to become free-to-play.

Despite criticism, Activision shows no signs of slowing down. Black Ops 6 achieved the franchise's biggest launch, setting Game Pass records and boosting PlayStation/Steam sales by 60% over Modern Warfare 3. With Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition, the company appears committed to current monetization strategies that continue generating substantial revenue.