Black Ops 6 Introduces Early Access Payment for New Event Weapon

In the latest twist for “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6,” players now have the option to unlock the brand-new Sirin 9mm submachine gun by purchasing a special bundle from the in-game store. Originally, this sleek weapon was meant to be the grand reward of the Hit List event, which challenges the community to rack up eliminations to earn goodies. However, many fans are less than thrilled about the decision by Treyarch, allowing players to bypass the communal effort and simply buy their way to the weapon.

The Hit List event launched on November 21 in both Black Ops 6 and Warzone, giving players until December 5 to collect a slew of personal and community rewards. The highlight of these is the Sirin 9mm SMG, which is locked behind an ambitious community goal: amassing 50 billion eliminations. Along the way, participants can grab other rewards like a new perk and scorestreak. As of now, the community is significantly short of the SMG target, but that hasn’t stopped Treyarch from offering it as part of a purchasable bundle.

Already, players have unlocked some prizes like the Shadow Perk and Buffer Weight Stock in the event, but there’s still a daunting 30 billion eliminations needed for the coveted Sirin 9mm SMG. For those not inclined to wait for communal progress, the weapon can now be secured immediately thanks to the recent November 26 release of the Cash Bandit bundle. Priced at 2,800 COD points, this package includes an assortment of cosmetics and a weapon blueprint, which allows for the permanent unlocking of the Sirin 9mm—no community milestone necessary.

Understandably, this move hasn’t sat well with many in the Black Ops 6 community. Prominent YouTuber JGOD criticized the choice, calling it “sad” to place the weapon behind a paywall, while another user, Nick, lamented the high community goal coupled with the ability to purchase a shortcut, labeling it “scummy.” These sentiments have been echoed widely, with numerous players arguing that the weapon should’ve never been included in the store bundle in the first place.

This isn’t the first time microtransactions in the newest Call of Duty title have stirred controversy. Earlier this week, Treyarch released the anticipated Replacer bundle, featuring the beloved character from Black Ops’ marketing, but it too faced backlash. Players discovered that unlocking the operator’s second variant required purchasing the Blackcell Battle Pass, effectively doubling the cost if they wanted all included cosmetics.

“Call of Duty: Black Ops 6,” crafted by Treyarch and Raven, plunges players into a gripping spy thriller set against the backdrop of the early 90s. This era of geopolitical change promises intrigue with its dynamic narrative, high-stakes heists, and a robust multiplayer experience spanning 16 maps. Fans can also enjoy the return of Round-Based Zombies, readying themselves for undead battles across two fresh maps, with more post-launch content on the horizon.

Set for release across major platforms, Black Ops 6 demands players to traverse through intense operations and thrilling multiplayer challenges. Whether you’re strategizing in 6v6 matches, taking on hordes of zombies, or diving into the richly woven campaign, this Call of Duty installment aims to deliver unforgettable moments and a gripping narrative that tests the boundaries of global power struggles.