Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has recently launched its much-anticipated Squid Game event, aiming to fuse the thrilling gameplay of the video game with the popular Netflix series. This collaboration not only brings new game modes to players but also incorporates elements directly inspired by the hit show, all under the shadow of mixed reviews from the gaming community.
According to Activision's official blog, the Squid Game event kicked off on January 3, 2025, bringing unique game modes like Red Light, Green Light, Pentathlon, and Squid Game Moshpit to the multiplayer experience. The Zombies mode also sees the introduction of Dead Light, Green Light, enriching the overall gaming experience. But, as is often the case when developers introduce new content, this event has sparked significant discussion—some of it rather contentious.
While there are new, exciting elements like the Cleaver weapon, players are facing the reality of the paid tier of the event pass, which has sparked outrage. Players are expected to spend 1,100 COD points—approximately ten euros—on this pass, which has offered fewer rewards than the already established Premium Battle Pass. This has raised eyebrows and led to frustration among fans.
On Reddit, players have voiced their disappointment sharply. One user, altimax98, stated, "An event pass for a paid game is trash," highlighting the discontent over what players invariably see as exploitation. Another player, prof_the_doom, remarked, "I feel no remorse boycotting the paid event part because there’s really nothing but trash inside." Such sentiments echo throughout posts, creating a chorus of negative opinions alongside the event’s launch.
Criticism goes even beyond the event pass pricing strategy. PinkPanda0303 chimed in on the discussion, stating, "There’s greedy and then there’s King Midas’ hand of gold greedy," emphasizing the excessive monetization the game is approaching. User EnormousCaramel made a poignant connection to the themes of the Netflix series, asserting, "I’m personally a giant fan of the capitalist exploitation of Squid Game. Nothing undermines the message of the series more than using it to sell or promote everything." This critique highlights the irony of capitalizing on content critiquing capitalism itself.
With the gaming world eagerly anticipating new updates and content improvements, the backlash against the Squid Game event raises questions about the future of not just Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, but the franchise as a whole. The player community’s response has been strong enough to prompt discussions on boycotts and future purchasing decisions. Many players are already planning to reject the paid aspect of the event, opting instead to enjoy the free elements available without any additional costs.
This backlash against Activision could suggest significant ramifications for the gaming giant if sustained. The principles players apply to their engagements—especially with premium games—signal to publishers what is acceptable and what isn’t. Games with heavy monetization strategies often see pushback from dedicated audiences, which can impact sales, viewership, and general community sentiment.
Whether this episode will lead to long-term changes remains to be seen as Treyarch and Activision plan their future updates and potential events. The company may need to reassess its strategy moving forward, ensuring they provide value and engagement without alienation.
Engagement from the community plays a pivotal role, as their voice now echoes louder than ever through social media platforms. Players are increasingly impacting business decisions and can shift trends based on their choices.
Despite the dissatisfaction surrounding the Squid Game event, updates continue to roll out, with Treyarch promising various fixes and improvements across multiplayer and Zombies modes.
The success of such events, including this Squid Game crossover, depends not only on the novelty they bring but also on the goodwill established through fair pricing practices and community engagement. Players are not merely consumers; they’re advocates for their interests. The path forward for Call of Duty and the industry depends on this dynamic relationship.