Friday, November 17th 2017
Under Fire, EA Backs Down on Star Wars Battlefront II Microtransactions
In an announcement on EA's website, Oskar Gabrielson, General Manager at DICE, came forward to respond in no uncertain terms to the issues looming over Star Wars Battlefront 2. In the post, Gabrielson vows that EA and Dice have "(...) an ongoing commitment to constantly listen, tune and evolve the experience as it grows. 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."
This culminates on a decision to abandon all microtransactions as they were coded into the final version of the game, or, as Gabrielson puts it: "(...) 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." So, it's not a total, definitive cut as it is; it's more of a "back to the drawing board" kind of approach. which only makes sense, as EA has been loud and clear in saying that they consider these microtransactions as essential components of a given games' development.
The addition of a single player campaign may have quelled some of the criticism from the first Battlefront; however, uglier problems have reared their head with the latest installment's handling of microtransactions. It's not a single issue on this. On one hand, there's been considerable community backlash over the amount of money (or time, so, again, money) users would have to devote to the $60 game in order to unlock everything it has to offer - a situation which was badly handled by some EA representatives. On the other hand, EA also has to consider the announcements of investigations in regards to the game's handling of microtransactions, which, in the state they were, were being considered too close to gambling to offer comfort.
Sources:
EA, EA Twitter
This culminates on a decision to abandon all microtransactions as they were coded into the final version of the game, or, as Gabrielson puts it: "(...) 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." So, it's not a total, definitive cut as it is; it's more of a "back to the drawing board" kind of approach. which only makes sense, as EA has been loud and clear in saying that they consider these microtransactions as essential components of a given games' development.
26 Comments on Under Fire, EA Backs Down on Star Wars Battlefront II Microtransactions
Star Wars Battlefront 2 Being Investigated by Belgian and Dutch Gambling Authorities
Good! Let it hurt sales. This kind of crap needs to end. If the gaming world takes a hit, so be it. Things need to go back to being ethical, moral and focused and the artistry of game building instead of being a wasteful money grab. And before some nitwit chimes in and says something pedantic like "Business is business and they exist to make money. ", save it. Good games have always been made to be a fun past-time and video games are no exception to that rule. There is nothing wrong with making money, but the primary focus is supposed to be making quality games. Make a great game and people will flock to buy it. Instead companies spend millions on creating a "hype train" for everyone to get on. Drop those same millions into better game development and you won't need a "hype train", or at least much of one. While EA's current decision is correct ATM, they are still very much an example of what NOT to be/do/follow.
Only way to really send them a message is not to only complain and bitch, but to also boycott this game. Let them send a message by causing them multi million losses on this game alone. This however WILL send them a clear message. They only care about the money and if you cost them millions, they'll get the message. Until we just complain on reddit and Twitter it's just a minor inconvenience for them and maybe few thousand dollars lost in money. That's what 5 idiots will get them back through microtransactions alone.
So, think about this thoroughly if you really so desperately need Battlefront 2 now or send them a message and play a proper Star Wars Battlefront 3 game next year or in 2 years time?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trauma_Studios
edit: Technically DICE was never good. Just acquired a good mod team.
Since they are being investigated by several governing bodies, they are getting their legalize ready for when they reinstate the system so they can't be sued or fined.
Supposed to be Battlefront2 remade but they removed the Star Wars element to avoid legal issue.
@1:43