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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3andWarzonejust got some new Operator skins, and fans are not happy after finding out about their gimmick.
Players are never happy with pay-to-win elements being added to a game, but with the franchise’s latest edition, this could be the last straw for some. If you’re someone who tends to buy skins immediately after release, you might want to hold back on this one for now.
Call of Duty Gets ‘Pay-to-Win’ Skins That the Whole Party Needs to Buy
If you thought Activision’s pay-to-win monetization techniques couldn’t get any worse, don’t hold your breath; it’s on a mission to prove you wrong.
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Recently, a new set of paid skins was released inModern Warfare 3andWarzonecalled the Killer: Serial Creep Party Pack. It’s priced at 1,600 CoD points, or roughly $15.
Newly released MW3 and Warzone “Killer Skin” is the first “Party Bonus Skin.”
If you and your team uses the bundle’s skin in the same party, you will all get Double XP.pic.twitter.com/g4XyH2VETO
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL)July 04, 2025
This time, the major issue isn’t the price; it’s the insane bonus the set gives. According to the description, if your party wears a skin from the set, you’ll get XP bonuses.
When your party has at least 2 members wearing the set, it’s a Double XP and Double Weapon XP bonus. If the party has at least 3 members fulfilling the conditions, it’s an added Double Battlepass XP bonus along with the other bonuses mentioned.
![[REDACTED] Review (PS5) – Innovation Caught the Escape Pod Faster Than We Did](https://i2.wp.com/fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/05095712/redacted-review-768x432.jpg)
The grind inCall of Dutygamesis a lot, and these bonuses are super helpful to get through it quickly. However, is it fair to lock permanent XP bonuses behind paid cosmetics?
Also, if you typically play with friends, they’ll have to buy the skin too for everyone to maximize XP gains. It wouldn’t be surprising to see people refuse to team up with randos that don’t have the skin.
Players Are Fuming at Activision, but This Isn’t the First Time
Unsurprisingly, fans are disappointed with Activision following the pack’s release, but they’re not surprised.
Call of Duty: Zombies’ Gladiator Battles, Microtransactions and an Open World is Only the Beginning of What We Missed Out On
One user on X/Twitter felt that the company kept testing what monetization tactics it could implement and get away with with minimal backlash.
They just keep testing what they can get away with lmaoo
— Greggs 🥀🔪 (@Greggs_)June 15, 2025
Another user commented that people need to hold the company accountable for implementing these practices.
Huge L and I hope there’s backlash on this
— Edco (@cloud154532)June 11, 2025
Some argued that it wasn’t a big deal because the skins only let players get XP faster, and you have the option to choose whether you want it or not.This isn’t the first timeActivision pulled this off.
Let’s go back to 2023, when players uncovered a Bomb Squad Operator bundle forCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2that included an Operator skin, which gave players a free medium backpack at the start of every DMZ match.
Dataminers found more such bundle equipment where players could spend real money to get permanent advantages, such as UAVs, revive kits, and armor vests that players would have at the start of every DMZ match.
What do you think about the way Activision approaches microtransactions forCall of Duty? Let us know in the comments below!
Vibha Hegde
Critic/Gaming Writer
Articles Published :594
Vibha is an avid gamer that has been writing about video games for several years. When they’re not complaining about the lack of a Bloodborne sequel or brushing up on the Yokoverse lore, Vibha is busy watching 3-hour video essays on horror games they’re too scared to play themselves.
