Home Gaming EA has removed microtransactions from Star Wars Battlefront II…for now

EA has removed microtransactions from Star Wars Battlefront II…for now

2 min read
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SWBF2

Star Wars Battlefront II is out today, bringing FPS combat from a galaxy far, far away to your consoles and computers. Its microtransactions have been a contentious issue, nearly setting the internet on fire – mostly because they’re predatory, and they directly impact progression through the game. It appears your voices have been heard, at least for now.

EA has temporarily removed microtransactions from Star Wars Battlefront II. Says DICE’s General Manager Oskar Gabrielson:

“Our goal has always been to create the best possible game for all of you – devoted Star Wars fans and game players alike. We’ve also had an ongoing commitment to constantly listen, tune and evolve the experience as it grows. You’ve seen this with both the major adjustments, and polish, we have made over the past several weeks.

But as we approach the worldwide launch, it’s clear that many of you feel there are still challenges in the design. We’ve heard the concerns about potentially giving players unfair advantages. And we’ve heard that this is overshadowing an otherwise great game. This was never our intention. Sorry we didn’t get this right.

We hear you loud and clear, so we’re turning off all in-game purchases. We will now spend more time listening, adjusting, balancing and tuning. This means that the option to purchase crystals in the game is now offline, and all progression will be earned through gameplay. The ability to purchase crystals in-game will become available at a later date, only after we’ve made changes to the game. We’ll share more details as we work through this.”

swbf

So right now, the game’s in-game purchases are off, and all progression is earned by playing. lootboxes and MTs will make a return, but they’ll be adjusted to be less predatory. Venturebeat suggests that EA boss Andrew Wilson had a call with Disney heads Bob Iger to discuss the situation. I can’t imagine Disney was too happy with the brand damage that was happening.

Anyway, what it means is that for now, you can play Star Wars: Battlefront II without having to worry about spending money just to be competitive. Hopefully, when the real-money purchases return, they’re implemented in a way that doesn’t hamper enjoyment for those unwilling to whip out their credit cards.

Last Updated: November 17, 2017

37 Comments

  1. Captain JJ

    November 17, 2017 at 07:16

    “Our goal has always been to create the best possible game for all of you”… yea sure.
    Even now that they have removed the MTs it’s still stupid to buy it and support EA, thinking things will change. You want change, stop supporting them, let them go the same way all the companies went that they’ve bought over the years.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      November 17, 2017 at 07:45

      Well said

      Reply

    • schitsophrenic-toothbrush

      November 17, 2017 at 08:27

      Agreed guy! EA in the background are like “let’s pause MT’s and wait till we have made enough game sales and then we switch on MT’s and make more money off of that!”

      I wont buy this game.

      Reply

    • Kapitan Balalaika

      November 17, 2017 at 09:57

      Can’t up vote this enough. DO NOT BUY!

      Reply

  2. Skittle

    November 17, 2017 at 07:21

    Too little too late. The damage is done. They thought all gamers were stupid and tried to take advantage of them (us), that’s a legacy that can’t be swept under the rug.

    Reply

  3. Magoo

    November 17, 2017 at 07:26

    I mean, it’s clear that the damage to brand image has overshadowed financial loss at this point, and that’s why they’ve gone and “listened to us.”

    But hey, it’s something. I hope this will be a lesson to all AAA developers that there IS actually a limit to how much you can fuck with the gaming community.

    Reply

    • Captain JJ

      November 17, 2017 at 07:41

      People will keep buying EA. They might not buy Battlefront 2, but they’ll buy the next big game. They need the new flashy thing, you see, so they keep buying.
      If you continue to do what you’ve always done, you’ll continue to get what you’ve always gotten.

      Reply

      • Skittle

        November 17, 2017 at 07:42

        Unfortunately, they do publish some good games. I really enjoyed DA:I for example.

        Reply

        • Captain JJ

          November 17, 2017 at 07:46

          Never got it, won’t get anything from them purely based on principle. I’d rather miss out on a potentially good game than throw more money at a company who has no respect for its customers. But I know not everyone feels that way.

          Reply

  4. Trevor James

    November 17, 2017 at 07:35

    Cant help but feel extremely proud of the gaming community. Make enough noise and they have to listen.

    Reply

  5. Gavin Mannion

    November 17, 2017 at 07:41

    Honestly it’s too late, you really shouldn’t support this game with your money. They literally tried to MT you into hell. Punish them by not giving them your money. There are enough good games out there that deserve your money rather

    Reply

    • Captain JJ

      November 17, 2017 at 07:54

      This sh!7 was too late with Sim City, but yet people just kept going…thinking EA will change. Honestly, it’s on the consumers for being idiots.

      Reply

    • Gr8_Balls_o_Fire

      November 17, 2017 at 09:42

      I just bought good ol’ battlefield bad company 2

      Reply

  6. Admiral Chief

    November 17, 2017 at 07:44

    WHAT?

    LOOOOOOOOLZ, but still not gonna support them

    Reply

  7. Alien Emperor Trevor

    November 17, 2017 at 07:56

  8. Steffmeister

    November 17, 2017 at 08:02

    Oh no how are EA going to make money now?

    Reply

  9. Ottokie

    November 17, 2017 at 08:15

    EA has killed A LOT of our favorite companies… I say, WE the people (gamers). Make EA next.

    Reply

  10. MalikaiZA

    November 17, 2017 at 08:45

  11. Ottokie

    November 17, 2017 at 08:45

  12. Captain JJ

    November 17, 2017 at 08:50

    • Ottokie

      November 17, 2017 at 08:50

      Bathroom face

      Reply

    • miaau

      November 17, 2017 at 09:19

      Hey, animations from 2003. Where on earth did you find such an old Gif?

      Hehehehe

      Reply

  13. Guz

    November 17, 2017 at 08:56

    First thing I thought when i read the headline

    Reply

  14. Guz

    November 17, 2017 at 08:57

    • Captain JJ

      November 17, 2017 at 09:24

      What they’re essentially saying is: “We’re taking out the MTs to get people interested in buying the game again. Then when they’ve all bought it and we have them by the balls, then we put the MTs back.”

      Reply

      • Guz

        November 17, 2017 at 09:41

        Yip, we just gonna get you over a barrel first, then we will stick it to you later once you’ve be suckered in

        Reply

  15. miaau

    November 17, 2017 at 09:18

    I may just get this one day PURELY because

    a) star wars
    b) space combat.

    Space combat in a star wars universe, yeah, thats the stuff, truly. Flying an X-wing, A-wing, Y-wing, T-65, yeah. Not sure about that crap with the Naboo fighters, though.

    on special.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      November 17, 2017 at 09:38

      R99 or GTFO. And I’m not interested in the MP

      Reply

      • Captain JJ

        November 17, 2017 at 09:46

        R100 for battlefront 1 was too much, it’ll be too much for this too.

        Reply

      • miaau

        November 17, 2017 at 10:15

        Tend to agree with lack of MP interest.

        Will buy for < R400 IF youtube videos of space combat is cool enough. else… yeah, R100 OR just wait for it on EA Access.

        Reply

  16. Admiral Chief

    November 17, 2017 at 10:18

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      November 17, 2017 at 11:08

      If I’m going to work a second job I expect to be paid, not to pay.

      Reply

  17. Gr8_Balls_o_Fire

    November 17, 2017 at 11:30

    They could have saved their asses by just removing the retail price and releasing the game for free, and made even more money from the MT’s.

    Reply

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