Black Ops 6 Players Making Fun Of "Pay-To-Lose" Skins

The upcoming Black Ops 6 Operator skin is already sparking heated debates.

COD Skin
And they told me the X-ray scan app was fake… | © Activision

The new Black Ops 6 Operator skin, part of the “Tracer Pack: Inner Sight” bundle, has players buzzing with mixed reactions. The “Irradiated” X-Ray skin for Operator Troy Marshall has stirred the community, with some calling it a “pay-to-lose” cosmetic due to its glaringly bright design that could make players easier targets.

A Glowing Target

As the Black Ops 6 community waits for the pack's official release, preview footage has already made its rounds, showing a see-through skin highlighted with neon greens and yellows. While it’s clear that the skin is designed to stand out, players are quick to point out that it’s far too visible, which could lead to Marshall being an easy target in battle. Nomen est omen, as the skin’s design is truly irritating.

In a recent thread on the Black Ops 6 subreddit, players expressed their frustration with the skin, joking that it practically screams, “shoot me.” One user humorously added, “This looks hilarious. Activision has once again revolutionized gaming – while other games let you change difficulty in settings, in CoD, you just need your credit card."

Gallows Humor in “Irradiated” Skin

While the criticism is loud, there are also a few defenders. Some players argue that the highly visible skin actually helps them spot enemies better in the game. “I have no problem with these skins, as my eyesight isn’t great, and they help me spot opponents more easily,” said one player – accessibility-wise a nice touch, but probably not the point of the skin. However, these reactions are in the minority, and the majority seems to agree that the “Irradiated” skin is an unwanted distraction.

The backlash mirrors previous controversies in Call of Duty’s history, particularly the “pay-to-lose” complaint that surfaced with the Dark Practitioner Mastercraft bundle in late 2024, which saw weapon skins impairing the player's aim due to obtrusive flourishes. Maybe the trend will catch on, and in the next FIFA, you’ll be able to pay to make your own goal bigger.

So, what do you think about the “Irradiated” skin? Are you going to buy it? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

Leon Degen
Leon Degen