EA responds to Battlefront II loot crate backlash

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EA and DICE have responded to Star Wars Battlefront II players’ concerns that the game’s loot crate system is effectively ‘pay-to-win’.

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by Liam Andrews

@pass_controller

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Battlefront II’s crates - which include ability enhancing Star Cards as well as emotes, cosmetic items and more - could only be bought with an in-game currency earned through playing matches during the recent open beta, but will also be purchasable via real money when the game launches next month.

With no indication as to whether Star Cards could be earned away from crates, and the random nature of the loot contained within, many believed this meant those who were willing to spend a lot of real world cash would hold a significant advantage over those who were not.
 
The recent backlash has prompted EA and DICE to speak out and assure people that what was seen in the beta was not the complete system and will continue to be “tuned over time”.
 
Most notably, the studios were keen to stress that there will be plenty of content that can be earned in-game - including Star Cards and weapons - and that the most powerful items can only be unlocked through “in-game achievements”.
 
Furthermore, players will need to “earn the right” to upgrade Star Cards and unlock weapons by reaching a specific rank, which is only achieved through playing the game.
 
“We will work to make sure the system is balanced both for players who want to earn everything, as well as for players who are short on time and would like to move faster in their progress towards various rewards,” read the post.
 
Here’s the full list detailing the game’s crate system:

• There are many things you can earn in the game, including weapons, attachments, credits, Star Cards, Emotes, Outfits and Victory Poses.
• As a balance goal, we’re working towards having the most powerful items in the game only earnable via in-game achievements.
  
• Crates will include a mix of Star Cards, Outfits, Emotes or Victory Poses.
• Players earn crates by completing challenges and other gameplay milestones, or by purchasing them with in-game credits or Crystals, our premium currency.
• If you get a duplicate Star Card in a crate, you will get crafting parts which you can then use to help upgrade the Star Card of your choice.
• And lastly, you have to earn the right to be able to upgrade Star Cards and unlock most Weapons. You can only upgrade or unlock them if you have reached a high enough rank, which is determined by playing the game.

 
Star Wars Battlefront II is out 17 November on Xbox One, PS4 and PC.
 
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