Fans Label Call of Duty as “biggest scam of all time” After Black Ops 6 Squid Game Crossover Priced Like a Full Game

Call of Duty Black Ops 6 has been making buzz in the gaming community with its latest crossover event with Squid Game 2. The crossover introduces various engaging new modes (like Red Light, Green Light, Pentathlon, etc.) and immersive in-game content, thrilling both Call of Duty and Squid Game fans alike.

However, despite the buzz regarding the content, there is one glaring issue that’s been upsetting the community: the price of the in-game bundles. While the crossover offers tons of fun new stuff, the cost of unlocking the new cosmetics and items has left many players frustrated.

Players calling out the Call of Duty Cash grab with its latest crossover

The Squid Game 2 crossover was one of the most highly anticipated collaborations in recent months. Given the success of the Netflix series, which captivated audiences with its brutal take on survival games, fans were eager to see how the Call of Duty franchise would adapt this world into their own.

With its release on January 3rd, the crossover seemed like a perfect fit—introducing tension, thrills, and high-stakes, life-or-death situations. The event bundles looked promising, featuring cosmetics including skins inspired by the distinctive red jumpsuits, a slew of themed weapons, and even in-game items.

However, the pricing has caused a significant backlash from the CoD community. Players have been reporting that the total cost of the crossover cosmetic is well over $80, more than the price of a full game.

— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) January 5, 2025

While these cosmetics are not necessary to enjoy the crossover events, the sheer cost of the skin has left a sour taste in the mouths of many.

Is CoD the biggest scam of all time?

— R3birth.eth (@pwniR3birth) January 5, 2025

Who is spending $87 extra on an $80 game 😭😭

— ⚽️♥️♣️TerraCasino♦️♠️🔥 (@TerraCasino_io) January 5, 2025

No thanks, I'll just save my $87 for the next Call of Duty 😅

— ꒒ ০ ⌵ ୧ ♡ (@aboardBORED) January 5, 2025

Across various social media platforms and gaming forums, the community has been vocal about their displeasure with the cost of the bundles. Many players are expressing their anger and others are left wondering if the game has shifted its focus from delivering fun content to simply maximizing profit.

Is Call of Duty losing touch with its fans?

Over the years, CoD has evolved into more than just a yearly game release, it’s become a cultural phenomenon. But as the franchise has grown, so too has its reliance on monetization strategies, introducing various microtransactions, battle passes, and limited-time bundles.

For players, the issue appears to lie not just in the high prices (which are constantly increasing), but also in the perception that Activision is simply ignoring the various technical issues the game is currently facing. Significant issues like hackers (in almost every match) have already ruined the experience for many.

The crossover event introduced an opportunity for the studio to not only address some of the issues but also bring whole new modes to the game, igniting some excitement in the community. For the most part, crossover did manage to achieve that as various modes are enjoyable and exciting experiences.

However, the pricing of the crossover has gone above and beyond what many players have come to expect. For some, this might be the final straw in a long-standing trend of increasingly aggressive monetization strategies.

In the end, as players voice their discontent, it’s worth asking: Is CoD truly listening to its fanbase, or is it too focused on squeezing out as much money as possible?