Electronic Arts and DICE are making some changes to how loot boxes and progression work in Star Wars: Battlefront II. This comes after a beta test for Battlefront II caused some backlash from fans. Critics voiced concerns that players could spend money to get advantages in online multiplayer, and that led to a lot of angry reactions on message boards and YouTube.
Based on the beta, some players worried that a person with unlimited funds could purchase crates until they unlocked all of the most powerful Star Cards, which are perks that improve your character’s abilities. That setup could lead to a pay-to-win scenario, which is something that gaming fans have had little tolerance for in the past.
But EA says it has heard that response.
“The beta gave us a welcome chance to test all of our systems in action and tune things up for better balance,” reads an EA blog post. “A few weeks back, we mentioned we were going to take another look at how the progression system works. After incorporating feedback from the beta, we’re happy to share our plans for launch.”
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Here is how EA describes the changes (emphasis is the publisher’s):
- Epic Star Cards, the highest tier of Star Cards available at launch, have been removed from Crates. To help keep everyone on a level playing field, these Star Cards will primarily be available through crafting, with the exception of special Epic Star Cards available through pre-order, deluxe, and starter packs.
- You’ll need to reach a certain rank to craft upgraded Star Cards. You won’t be able to buy a bunch of Crates, grind everything up into crafting materials, and immediately use them to get super powerful Star Cards. You can only upgrade the ability to craft higher-tier Star Cards by ranking up through playing the game.
- Weapons are locked behind specific milestones. While a select few will be found in Crates, the rest can only be attained by play. Want to unlock a new weapon for your Heavy? Play as a Heavy and you’ll gain access to the class’s new weapons.
- Class-specific gear and items can be unlocked by playing as them. As you progress through your favorite class, you’ll hit milestones granting you class-specific Crates. These will include a mix of Star Cards and Crafting Parts to benefit your class’s development.
I am going to get my hands on Star Wars: Battlefront II soon, and I’ll see if these changes help the final product.
