Everything You Need to Know About Black Ops 6’s First Cel-Shaded Operator Skin

Treyarch’s latest update for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has introduced the franchise’s first cel-shaded operator skin. The Alvarez "Cruiser" skin, available for 2,000 COD Points, has sparked heated discussions among players worldwide. Some people praise the bold anime-inspired design, while others criticize that it diverges from the grim realness of the game.

The Cruiser Skin and Bundle Details

The Cruiser Set transforms Alvarez into a cel-shaded skier with bright chartreuse eyes and purple hair after the launch of the Tracer Pack: Snowtime Showtime. In addition to the operator skin, the bundle includes:

• Polar Rip Blueprint for the Goblin MK2 Assault Rifle
• Halfpipe Handler Blueprint for the Kompakt 92 SMG
• A double XP token and other anime-themed cosmetics

The anime-inspired camos on these blueprints add a whole new aesthetic feel to Black Ops 6 and Warzone.

Player Reactions: A Divided Community

The reception has been polarizing:

• Supporters appreciate the innovative cel-shaded design, calling it a refreshing break from traditional skins.
• Critics argue the bright colors and anime styling clash with the 1990s setting and realistic tone of Black Ops 6.
• Comparisons to Fortnite and requests for more grounded or thematic skins are prevalent.
• Some players prefer skins inspired by established anime series or a re-release of Call of Duty’s Gundam collaboration.

Also Read: COD Black Ops 6 Free Trial: Explained, how to claim it & More

Context and Ongoing Controversy

The Cruiser skin debate follows angry complaints over the so-called 'unrealistic' cosmetics of Black Ops 6, which include the Draconic Forge Mastercraft Tracer Pack, Shark bundle, and other such products. While some legacy problems associated with XP tokens were recently resolved by Treyarch, the studio seems bent on constantly reworking more experimental aesthetics regardless of feedback from its players.

Black Ops 6 is not even halfway through its first season of updates and already it has added cel-shaded skins in what would appear to be another experimental feature by Treyarch. Whether it will put off long-time fans or attract new audiences remains to be seen. The comments from the community will most likely determine what future content may offer in balancing realism and creativity.