The Controversy Surrounding Call of Duty’s Black Ops 6 and Squid Game Crossover Event

by Annika January 6, 2025

The Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Squid Game crossover event has sparked controversy among players due to the game’s aggressive microtransactions. Activision has faced backlash for locking event rewards behind a paywall and offering expensive premium bundles. One particular issue that has upset fans is the restriction on using the Squid Game skins in multiplayer matches, where they are limited to only one side of the game. This has led to frustration and complaints from players who feel they are not getting their money’s worth. The debate surrounding Call of Duty’s monetization practices continues to intensify as the game evolves.

– The Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Squid Game crossover event has sparked controversy among players due to the game’s aggressive monetization through microtransactions.
– Fans have criticized the paid premium track in the Squid Game event pass, which includes a battle pass within a battle pass.
– Players have expressed frustration over the expensive premium bundle that restricts the use of certain skins to a specific team, leading to complaints about the overall cost and restrictions of Call of Duty cosmetics.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’s Squid Game crossover event has entered its second week, and with it comes a familiar debate surrounding the game’s microtransactions. As players don their Squid Game contestant outfits and take part in virtual battles, the Call of Duty community is raising concerns about Activision’s aggressive monetization practices.

One point of contention is the Squid Game event pass, which includes a premium track that must be paid for. This is the first time that Call of Duty has locked event rewards behind a paywall, and the introduction of a battle pass within a battle pass has stirred up controversy. Fans have expressed their frustration over this decision, questioning the need to pay additional fees for in-game content.

Notably, the first Squid Game premium bundle is now available for purchase, and it carries a hefty price tag of 2,800 CP (). The bundle includes three new skins, two weapon skins, and other digital items. While the cost may be on par with other expensive bundles in Call of Duty, fans are disappointed by another aspect of the purchase. The three Squid Game operators are limited to one side, meaning that players can only use them if they are on the Crimson One team. This restriction has left players feeling unsatisfied with their purchase.

In response to these complaints, some argue that players should simply refrain from buying skins altogether to avoid supporting microtransactions. Others question the rationale behind purchasing soldier skins in a first-person game like Call of Duty, where players rarely see their characters during gameplay. Although Fortnite, a third-person game, allows players to fully appreciate their character skins, Call of Duty only provides glimpses of the skins during gameplay and in the Winner’s Circle after a match, where they are showcased in their entirety.

As the Squid Game event progresses, players have noticed an influx of Squid Game skins in Black Ops 6. This was to be expected, especially since one of the skins is available for free to all players. However, it is likely that the presence of these skins will diminish over time as the fervor surrounding the crossover event subsides.

At the heart of the microtransaction debate lies Activision’s approach to monetization. While Warzone, a free-to-play game, employs microtransactions, the same system is implemented in Black Ops 6, which requires players to pay a substantial upfront cost. This has led to mixed reactions from players, with those solely focused on Black Ops 6 feeling that the cost of cosmetics is disproportionately high.

Ultimately, Activision’s monetization strategies push the boundaries of what players are willing to accept. With the game now under Microsoft’s ownership, fans may have to contend with even more controversial types of monetization in the future. The Squid Game event pass may be just the beginning.

In conclusion, the ongoing debate surrounding Call of Duty’s microtransactions reveals the divide among players regarding the value and fairness of in-game purchases. Activision’s aggressive monetization practices have sparked criticism, but the company continues to tap into the lucrative market of cosmetic items. As the game evolves under new ownership, players can expect more contentious forms of monetization to emerge in their quest for gaming success.