Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has yet to launch its first major event, a collaboration with the popular Netflix series Squid Game, but it’s already stirring controversy in the gaming community. The cause? The announcement of a new microtransaction system called the Event Pass, which has players questioning the game's growing reliance on paid content.
The Event Pass is set to work similarly to systems seen in Fortnite or Apex Legends, offering players a variety of in-game rewards as they progress through the event. While this model isn’t new, it adds another layer of monetization to Black Ops 6, which already features a paid Battle Pass and multiple premium skins, all on top of the game’s base price of $69.99. Buying cheap cod bo6 bot lobby from U4gm can allow players to bypass SBMM (Skill-Based Matchmaking) and participate in less intense games. Use coupon code "allen" to get 5% off at U4gm.
This shift has been met with harsh criticism from Call of Duty fans, particularly on Reddit, where players have expressed frustration with the direction the game is taking. One user summed up the general sentiment, saying, “Monetizing an event that is itself an advertisement” feels unfair. Another user questioned why the game is charging $70 upfront when it seems to constantly ask for more money through microtransactions. "I work and enjoy gaming in the 1 free hour a day I get. I will never complete any of these events, and I’m not paying to buy the guns,” they added.
While Warzone, Call of Duty’s free-to-play battle royale mode, remains accessible to everyone, the core multiplayer modes, Zombies, and Campaign are still behind a paywall. This leaves Black Ops 6 in a unique position, where players are required to pay both for access to the game and for additional content, unlike other free-to-play games that offer paid Event Passes and cosmetics without requiring a base purchase.
Some players have been particularly vocal, calling the game “an embarrassment” and accusing it of prioritizing monetization over gameplay. One Reddit user expressed frustration, stating, “It’s not a game. It’s a storefront. An overpriced storefront of garbage.” This criticism follows earlier controversies around Black Ops 6, including the removal of “carry forward” skins and a $350 prop gun replica tied to a weapon camo. The introduction of bizarre, over-the-top skins, like the bong gun and "Unicorn Fart" finishing move, has led some to label the game as “pay-to-win,” with certain visual effects giving an unfair advantage in matches.
As the Squid Game event approaches, many are questioning whether Call of Duty can continue to balance its increasing monetization with the player base’s demand for a more straightforward, less financially driven experience. With the Event Pass set to be launched alongside the Squid Game event, more details will be revealed by January 3, but the controversy surrounding the game’s microtransactions is unlikely to dissipate anytime soon.
