Call of Duty fans torn by ‘cash-grab’ BlackCell Battle Pass
Modern Warfare 2's premium BlackCell Battle Pass is splitting opinions amid a heft $30 price tag, leaving critics to call out another cash-grab.
07th Apr 2023 11:58
Infinity Ward
Call of Duty fans torn by ‘cash-grab’ BlackCell Battle Pass
Modern Warfare 2's premium BlackCell Battle Pass is splitting opinions amid a heft $30 price tag, leaving critics to call out another cash-grab.
07th Apr 2023 11:58
Infinity Ward
We all know that Activision is obsessed with microtransactions, but so far, Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2's tenure has been quite mild in the skin game.
So far, only one crossover has occurred as TMNT's Shredder was brought out in Season 2. It differs from previous years, where we'd already had Snoop Dog ripping the Terminator off a head glitch while Krampus holds down the objective and a Titan serves as a sniper overwatch support.
But, ahead of Season 3, Activision has now deployed a new way to ramp up those in-game Call of Duty sales...
Activision launches new BlackCell Battle Pass for MW2 and Warzone 2
As part of Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 Season 3, Activision is rolling out their first-ever premium Battle Pass upgrade named "BlackCell."
The idea is that BlackCell will work in the same way as the regular Battle Pass (which will also be added to Season 3), but for $30, you'll get access to "over 7,000 CoD Points" worth of new items. This includes up to 2,500 CP to use in the store.
As part of the offering, players will receive:
- Access to the full Season 3 Battle Pass
- 20 Tier Skips for the regular Pass
- 1,100 COD Points.
- 1,400 COD Points awarded throughout the Battle Pass.
- A BlackCell Operator with an animated Camo skin.
- A Pro-Tuned Weapon Blueprint, Vehicle Skin, and Finishing Move.
- A BlackCell Sector within the Battle Pass to serve as an alternative starting location.
- Immediate unlocking of adjacent Battle Pass Sectors to the BlackCell Sector.
- A BlackCell skin for every Operator in the Season 3 Battle Pass (12 extra skins in total).
But, the $30 price tag is dividing opinions, with many seeing it as a "cash-grab" given that it must be purchased with money, and not the CoD Points equivalency.
Call of Duty fans angered at new $30 Battle Pass
With BlackCell costing $30 this season, and likely further season's down the line, it now works out that players could end up spending over $200 on the base game and the Battle Passes if they want to keep up to date with the newest items.
The lack of an option to upgrade the pass with CoD Points is being blasted as a cash-grab by Activision, who are clearly behind on their microtransaction quota for the year following Warzone 2's flopped start.
Some players did admit that there is value to be seen in the pass, especially for those who are serial bundle-buyers. "A $30 Battle Pass is actually worth it, you get more than you would for the $20 Battle Pass and you get $10 worth of CoD Points alongside those from the battle pass," argued one fan on Twitter.
The Pass is certainly one of the most lucrative offerings yet, but for that price, you might fancy sticking to those Ranked skins earned through the grind.
About The Author
Jack Marsh
Jack is an Esports Journalist at GGRecon. Graduating from the University of Chester, with a BA Honours degree in Journalism, Jack is an avid esports enthusiast and specialises in Rocket League, Call of Duty, VALORANT, and trending gaming news.
