Star Wars Battlefront 2's Loot Box Controversy Explained

Star Wars Battlefront II's loot box system and microtransactions have garnered international attention at this point. Here's a rundown in case you haven't been keeping up.
Official single player story scene: • Star Wars Battlefront ...
Watch PC ultra settings gameplay: • Battlefront 2 - PC Ult...
Check out the first in-engine trailer for Battlefront II: • Star Wars Battlefront ...
Follow Star Wars: Battlefront II at GameSpot.com!
www.gamespot.com/star-wars-ba...
Official Site - www.ea.com/games/starwars/bat...

[@gamespot]

Have Battlefront 2's loot crates put you off picking up this game?

[@jRiley101]

GameSpot yes, they have indeed

[@dancepro67]

100%

[@OnePiece-yy1lu]

GameSpot yes

[@redleader2211]

I would have never believed I'd willingly reject TWO Battlefront sequels after having loved the originals. What a massive disappointment EA has been for the SW brand. I hope Disney rights this ship.

[@masonpratt1531]

No. I've played it for a few hours and still get top of the scoreboard just for having good shooter skill even without the star cards. They don't make nearly as big of a difference as people are saying. Skill makes all the difference

[@HideousConformity]

Pay-2-Win Wars: Casinofront 2

[@skywalkerivica]

Beeta

[@newerest1]

beater

[@jasonwilkins1969]

That's all I could hear. I was so happy when she got past the part about the beta and then she kept mentioning it I just ended up stopping watching. It was so unbearable =P

[@NightsoftInteractive]

Meanwhile: Sales in UK down by 60%, Sales in Japan also down by 90k copies compared to Battlefront 1. The community is reacting, only ignorant and/or naive people are buying this bs. Seeing EA suffer, provides me a sense of pride and accomplishment!

[@unspoken00]

RPGaming EA isn't suffering, I can assure you that. Most of their money comes from their sports games anyway.

[@NightsoftInteractive]

They are suffering a bit at least and their reputation suffered a lot(if this was even possible, because their reputation was bad even before that) We made a statement and governments are also investigating lootboxes, things seem to be changing, but we need to stay vigilant.

[@samichoudry6861]

Why is there still hate on microtransactions if there isn't any more. Is it coz its EA and ppl think it will come back. I get the hate on EA for the microtransactions

[@NightsoftInteractive]

Sami Choudry You clearly missed the point... have you even watched the video? It's the whole progression system and the lootboxes, that's the main problem, the microtransactions are just the cherry on the top...

[@samichoudry6861]

I agree but how is it gambling since u don't pay any money

[@vadallatskilled9445]

This full price game was designed to get consumers spend real money on gambling for gameplay advantages over other consumers who prefer not to spend extra money. The backlash was extraordinary and now even governments are looking into this shady business practice while EA is considering other ways to screw over their customers. There, you dont need a 12 minute video to summarize the situation.

[@KillerZxAce]

In the meantime: - Belgium - The Netherlands - Australia - France - The United Kingdom - United States of America Are all investigating lootcrates now, more countries will follow! EA, Ubisoft and Activison will have a very bad time. CD Project Red is one of the only honest publishers!

[@idk2865]

Cd projekt Red is a dirty stuido as well. just because they dont support micro transactions doesn't mean there the greatest studio in the world. They are VERY over rated.

[@imlikeyouihavenoname7038]

At least one state in the US is investigating these loot boxes (Hawaii). Hopefully more will follow through though.

[@jackmeyers6687]

jim hugh No they aren’t what have the done “dirty”

[@meloman2176]

Let’s get these damn things banned it’s plaguing the video game community and sadly ruining a lot of things

[@Chris-kw7nx]

I only hope Cyberpunk won't consist of lootcrates but I know that CDPR will implement some form of microtransactions like Rockstar has with GTA and soon RDR2. However, as long as microtransactions are fair like cosmetics or simply aesthetic customization then I will be happy. It's confirmed that they want to sustain long term multiplayer support so the business model has to have some form of extra profit, which is understandable to maintain servers and keep income flowing for the devs. Just hope they won't pull off an EA stunt.

[@obi-wankenobi3910]

It's over EA...we have the high ground

[@socialretardwarriors9123]

Obi-Wan Kenobi EA: I haaate youuuu

[@finecastleie]

EA: You underestimate my scam

[@logo2889]

This aged well

[@system331]

THE BEEEEEETAH

[@MHSenju3000]

If they didn't think they did anything wrong then they wouldn't have back peddled and changed things...

[@Jellybeantiger]

M H The are bringing out a BF ww2 game with loot boxes,they are a terrible,terrible company that pisses down on it’s customers. The gullible will again lap it up.

[@HowardDPVT]

While true, They may not see anything wrong with the game. But due to player feedback they may rethink that and makes changes accordingly. While I am appalled with the mere mention of micro transactions, I feel as if I cannot deny the fact that they are trying to eek out some kind of profit. Now speaking on another matter this video covered; What EA said and what was in the game did seem very contradictory at times. There are some games that I have heard from others that did micro transactions right according to them, but they also say for the most part that people fail at balancing micro transactions with progression. This leads me to believe that micro transactions are very hard to nail down without upsetting a community. One things in EA's favor (As always, in my opinion) is that they seemed to tone down the grinding necessary for unlocking characters, and I think that is a trend they may need to carry to other parts of the game. (Now I think would be a good time to mention I have not played this game because I do not have the PC for it) While grinding can be very rewarding there is often a cut off point for, at least me, where something just isn't worth it if it is just too tedious. (I would be very interested to see a way to measure the different aspects of grinding and see where the drop off(s) are.) If you read all of this props to you. If you read all this and understood it, well Could I get you to review some of my English papers? XD jk

[@hokage1997]

i really hope Europe bans loot boxes, then they wouldnt have to deal with supply drops in call of duty and shit. those lucky bastards

[@SeeFoodDie]

Rather have paid DLC than this loot crate bullshit any day of the week. Loot crates, if any, should be for cosmetic items only.

[@AFGsultanZ]

xenfreder Fuck both, rather pay like $70-80 of a game than both. At least that shouldn't have season pass and loot boxes if it was to raise the price.

[@TheCommandostudios]

But you miss the point. Even if its cosmetic only, it's still gambling...

[@shogun2215]

If they want lootboxes, they make the game Free to Play. Simple as that.

[@erndogg3922]

Cosmetic is proplem to Cause Disney an Lucas arts doesn t want to add change way a ship or Character they want to keep things Canon to core. No Pink Stormtroopers. It soo stupid thou Alot company's need Change there way Feel soo bad for Dice.

[@xara2830]

esperCELL there are various kinds of gambling. Yes it's commonly referred to putting in money to get money back, but gambling with virtual items exists too. Counter Strike has several websites dedicated to gambling and Valve has had to respond to this because they were accused of creating a gambling system. Virtual gambling is just as real as Irl gambling

[@Thaibiohazard123]

Battlefront 2 : "Killing me won't change anything. Let me live to send the message!" Consumers : "Killing you is the message..."

[@Rogue_Console]

And now, here we are. This game has risen from the ashes!

[@seeka4823]

Indeed

[@howdoichangemyusername9802]

Wish everyone talked about it’s current micro transaction system even if the game no longer receives support.

[@CrazyPlatinum92]

They fuck up Mass Effect then cancel that spinoff Star Wars game by Visceral studios and shut it down it and during the creator of plants vs zombies and now this Way to go EA

[@HockeyRiveNord]

I'd love to see some sort of government intervention with DLC and micro-transaction in games. Games should come out full/complete and not asking for 80$ and then some. All purchases should be cosmetic and not affect game play what so ever. Here is what could be sold for real money: - Add-on Campaign of atleast 5 hours of gameplay - Costmetic skins for characters and weapons - Multiplayer maps Acces to heroes, characters, weapons, ships, etc. should all and solely be through gameplay.

[@Jeimuzu17]

C'mon we all know the microtransactions are only off so they can sell the game through the holiday season. Once Christmas has past EA will turn them back on to milk those little kids and teens of their Christmas money. They should just make the store sell cosmetic items only, they should also make the dlc buy to play unless if its something small, then I can see them giving dlc like that away for free

[@Elifesound]

"Beeta"

[@ThatBaldGamer]

This game is good. That said, Loot Boxes have to go. Ironically, they don't work well in this case without the use of micro-transactions (they knew what they were doing there). With the current credit system, the progression isn't good at all.

[@Chris-kw7nx]

Don't support this business practice fellow gamers. Shame since this game had a lot of potential. If only the crates were cosmetic then I wouldn't have mind but they had to go pay to win, so fuck it. EA's response is so bullshit.

[@UchuuYumemi]

I see through the lies of EA..

[@BryantJoy]

Rockstar and take two are laughing at a corner. Oh yes, Bethesda too.

[@pyrosdestiny]

Boycott the game and tell anyone that will listen.

[@Salmontres]

beeta

[@silentsport63tropslr41]

2023: game is now free and if you want every daum cosmetic in the game just buy the celebration edition 💀

[@jimkasuma8219]

Many people are saying we just hate on battlefront only because of the microtransaction system and they are competely wrong. The game lacks content regardless microtransactions. In my case what ruined the game for me was the poor singleplayer experience with arcade mode, especially when ea knows exactly what we want and even battlefront 2015 skirmish mode is way better than these 10v10 small scale battles. I want this game to succed and they still have the chance to do it with new updates and dlc's, but the only way to get this done is by giving our feedback. people who are enjoying the game right now instead of hating on us should support us cause thanks to our critics and backlash the game is improving for everyone.

[@carlosmedina7932]

They need to make this game a progress unlocking based game, leave the lootboxes just for stetics, like skins, imagine playing as Darth Vader without a mask, young Yoda, old Luke, Palpatine skin for the Emperor, etc. I'd pay extra for that

[@Putzl52]

Micro transactions are ok if it’s cosmetic. I’m happy EA and DICE went away from the season pass monetization systems. However, pay to win is shitty, especially since it’s a $60 game. I do want to know where the bad PR is for Activision with their micro transactions fiasco where they pair you with people that bought stuff.

[@weaklinkoperator]

THE BEATUH. This isn’t fucking Quidditch.

[@xara2830]

this is EXACTLY why Team Fortress 2's Crate/Key system is much better than battlefronts lootcrate system. In Tf2, the crates give aesthetic changes and not game breaking upgrades, while occasionally giving a new weapon depending on which crate series you have. and here's battlefronts lootcrate where if you spend a hundred bucks you already have a high chance right out of the gate to have high to max tier equipment making it extremely unfair to other players. Atleast in TF2 you can trade your way around to get what you want, or to get the keys you need to unlock the crates, whereas here you need to originally grind 40 hours to unlock one hero. the extreme differences here are why Team fortress 2 has lasted 10 years vs battlefront 2 which barely lasted 10 days.

[@gumerzambrano]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! (:

[@thealexgundam5006]

Gumer Zambrano happy

[@DoubleMKGaming]

Beeta, come on... :)

[@straussnodick2449]

Doesn't the arcade mode lock players out of earning credits for periods of 3 hrs?

[@lindo-geng7083]

i pre ordered the game and got skins for TLJ then the game updated and its no longer there :/

[@xxxxjet1982xxxx]

I noticed that the EA has forums for every game except Star Wars Battle Front. Can’t handle the heat!!!!!

[@Basic055]

GAMERS, TOGETHER , STRONG

[@deathstar754]

Basic055 that is the cringiest thing I have ever heard.

[@ezopp5600]

+Alex Reppert agreed

[@dickie209]

They should look to see how MLB series sales their cards. Based on demand and players can sale them to other players.

[@MuddyGreenMonster]

The most important truth about this game is that it just simply isn't very good & not worth spending your money on, loot boxes or not.

[@BFBeast666]

In short: It's bad, mkay?

[@theolddarksoul1129]

I usually don't mind MTs as long as progression isn't terrible but holly hell this game, 2k18, and need for speed have it bad

[@MuddyGreenMonster]

The main thing that killed sales for Battlefront 2 wasn't the pay to win controversy, it was the demo. We just realised the game was rubbish.

[@tommykiryu777]

Muddy I hope you're trolling, because this game has far superior gameplay in comparison to the 2015 Battlefront. If not for the pay-to-win, gambling bullshit, SWBF2 (2017) would have been a contender for this year's best games. To bad EA gave in to it's crippling greed. I'm almost glad this game fell flat on it's stupid face, and EA is pretty much haemorrhaging from the backlash it deserves. Never gonna buy a single game from them ever again.

[@MuddyGreenMonster]

TommyKiryu 777 Never said it wasn't superior. I just said it was a rubbish. GOTY contender, though? Now who's trolling?

[@sadketchupg]

when she says beeta its like hitting a speed bump at 60mph.

[@KphexTwin00]

CD Project Red ftw.

[@PersianGamer36]

What's a beeta?

[@125henni]

loot boxes must have been really bad for it to garner this much attention.

[@grumblegoose546]

The main thing that annoys me is the many many many heros all on map at once. When its 20 vs 20 and half of each team is a hero its just silly

[@terrymcginnis4633]

loot boxes in ubisoft ppl dont care but ea does it and ppl loose there minds -.-

[@nopebaker4789]

People mentioning"beeta" and not whatever she said for "schedule"

[@somemadcaaant]

"formerly" known as the loot box.

[@TrueFaith94]

Is "beta" commonly pronounced as bee-tuh in the UK?

[@harlempunk4481]

Lmao I guess the reason rockstar delayed red dead 2 is either they are scared battlefront 2 will dominate sales or they want to know how people will react to Microtransations.

[@x0xNateRiverx0x]

As a youtuber said, you cannot spell "StEAl" without EA. And the greed is really apparent given that they are "temporarily" disabling mtx. Do not be fooled. Its just a calming measure to get people buy it within the release window. It is also testament that the mtx are ingrained in the very core of the gameplay if they cannot remove it fully. Good thing consumers stood their ground. One should not buy this game on principle.

[@Verfault]

Do you really have to say beeta so much? Couldnt you have maybe said it wrong once or twice then used other words or something?

[@carlkitchen]

Was going to say something extremely similar. Rolled my eyes more than once.

[@leventeacs8606]

Adjustment =/= change. Just wanted to drop it out there.

[@Eeeeeeee.eeeeeeee]

Patient? yeah sure Is it okay if i start playing now but pay 6 months later? After all, they need to be patient.

[@mombayd3988]

PLEASE ADD Squad spawn

[@josephbobowicz9010]

I think the gameplay here is fantastic. I’ve really been enjoying it. It’s just severely overshadowed by a crappy progression system.

[@simonjarrod2517]

I hope the last jedi is better than this P2W casino.

[@TheStr8upmatador]

Ironically there is a pointless shitty casino scene in the film

[@MysteriousWeasel]

im sorry to inform you but...

[@Nairb1007]

So I have a question to people that own and play the game. If you have all the epic/gold cards and you payed to win, if I ,a noob with no loot box purchases snipe you in the head, will you not die? I'm assuming you would right?

[@Nairb1007]

I'm speaking if you also picked a regular trooper, and perhaps didn't have the shield skill of course which anyone can obtain.

[@drekiskrek5008]

Nairb1007 No, you totally would. People that say otherwise have no clue what Star cards even do. An epic would mean that my grenade just explodes 25% wider.

[@Nairb1007]

Drek Is KrEk yeah so this whole pay to win thing is optional. not sure why people are so up in arms about it. Why was the whole loot box system in injustice 2 not scrutinized? They act like kids have the piggy banks tied to the console. Just password protect your purchases and your kids don't gamble. Jeez. Yeah loot boxes are a gamble, seriously 25% explosion radius ain't that much of a payoff. 60 players on the screen, ain't no one gonna notice that. Ya see guy, snipe em in the head. F his cards. See hero, slowly back away.

[@Suspicious-Carl]

THIS... is why i stick to good old team fortress 2! :)

[@moviewriter93]

Did anybody else also just get a game EA made and kept getting money taken out of your bank account?

[@samtennis04]

"Beeeta"

[@zacharynicar5302]

No one ever complained about the loot boxes from Black ops 3 if remember correctly u would get better weapons and stuff.

[@VulpeculaJoy]

Just do it like Ubisoft did it with Rainbow6 Siege. Randomized loot is for cosmetics only. If you spend ~25$ for the Season pass you get instant access to all the new operators, but you can unlock them one by one without spending any more money at a rate of 1 per ~2-4 Weeks. And there are only 16 DLC Operators so over time you'll get them.

[@ironmatto3]

R6 is as bad as this, the micro-transactions and content locked by the pay wall in that game is disgusting. BF2 = Optional P2W R6S = Forced P2W

[@VulpeculaJoy]

Name me one example of p2w in R6.

[@kyrosmike]

Ever had someone lie to your face, why would one believe a company, it's always to take your dollar in 1 way. There is no competition with certain licenses. EA is exclusive with this one. The intent was made with this game from system existing in 1st place, abd to milk the love of Star Wars. Racing games seems to be a good example or sports games where few come out and got maybe 2 or 3 choices of which version you may pick (Forza, Gran Tur, Need for Speed, Project cars, Etc)

[@Ghaz013]

You know you fucked up when Gamespot calls you on your BS.

[@LoganHunter82]

First I read GameSTOP... But that would've been even worse for EA.

[@Twist_UAP]

How can there be three first

[@goofed86]

I stick to playing single player only so don't even have to look at loot boxes then alone touch them! Online multiplayer got boring years ago when it was just the same thing over and over and over again. Honestly don't know why people still play online especially online shooters.

[@john15399]

open beater

[@cas9564]

WHY NOT JUST NOT HAVE MICROTRANSACTIONS, TRULY MAKING THE GAME SKILL-BASED?

[@accelerator8558]

EA....

[@eimran1178]

This is exactly what EA deserves. They are an insult to the gaming community.

[@krzysztofce6141]

Even when they remove real money, the whole progression system sucks and takes down this in other aspects good game

[@john_hunter_]

You would think that they would just remove it completely. Keep boycotting these games that have loot boxes, micro transactions, and dlc. Watch and see how it is possible for them to give free updates without having to charge extra for these things.

[@BoomBoomBrucey]

They can leave Overwatch alone, I think that is one of the few games that are doing loot crates right. Literally don't have to even think about buying one if you don't want... the way it SHOULD be.

[@MotoVio]

*That one dislike so far must be from EA =))*

[@cozminr]

predators

[@DonutVIP]

Should of fine other company for putting microtranaction in game too. Almost every game I play expect one doesn't have it, Skyrim, every fps I play have loot box, I don't care if its new gun, camo, and character, all those are waste of time. Money hunger asswiped

[@yuh8456]

its a shame because in 2019 its a really fucking fun multiplayer as all p2w elements are removed and its a fun multiplayer anyway...

[@haudace]

star trek online pwe should learn from this.

[@pavelow67]

but if you buy loot crates arent you the one gambling???

[@roberj85]

I am amazed this game doesn't have a R18 rating, simply because loot boxes is gambling,

[@thekaioshinshafter2266]

But now new players can't advance as fast as we did.

[@conorevilvillainmonologuem5448]

If you want to see more dumb glitches and technical issues with battlefront 2 check my channel

[@szeredaiakos]

Lol. Counter (maybe) arguments: People have either time or money. There is plenty of data out there from successful games to suggest that the payed progression advantage factor should be between 50% and 100% (WOT, PS2, EvE, WoWarships, ...). As for gambling.. it is paramount that a child gets exposed around 10-ish. Its far easier to learn to control it while you are young and still have a massive array of activities to extract sensations of risk and success from. Obviously, if risk, success and occasional failure is not present in a child's life he probably turn out to be fucked up in many more different ways. As for grown-ups, well, if he/she regularly takes risks which have less than 50% chance of success, he deserves to end up being forced by hunger and cold to rethink his strategies.

[@isleoftheblessed2949]

Needs more outfits for non heroes.

[@isleoftheblessed2949]

Needs more skin's for non heroes.

[@Error50505]

*Gets hit with two star wars while watching*

[@user-sv3jm4xi6u]

Wow people are pathetic getting salty because they couldn’t get good things from loot crates

[@uhMayzedHD]

Anything that is R.N.G and you got to pay real world money for is gambling.

[@xMtF54x]

This is the first time i have bought an ea game since they ruined mass effect 3s ending. Never again.

[@555spank]

The only question is what exactly can they change?

[@dravenaegir750]

I love how people hate on EA for micro transactions yet they are just another fish on a big pond, the microtransactions within starwars battlefront 2 did not effect game play if you want to feel the grind, don't buy the packs, if you want to risk your money at the chance of getting something now instead of grinding that's your choice, some people don't have the time to sweat out to get items and want to play the game for fun. Microtransactions are Good, that's is what is funding the staff to bring you new content for the game, new games coming out in a couple of years, none of that stuff is free, those hundreds of thousands of people all need to be paid and this is how, they are trying to keep funding to make the game stay alive for communities who actually dedicate time to their games like milsims on battlefield, all the new Clone milsim communities forming on the new battlefront 2, some of those communities are in contact with EA and Dice helping then help keep the game and community alive with customization for the different legions and factions. When customization arrives and some stuff will need to paid or played for, don't hate like a mindless pig, thank them for their dedication and effort in bringing you content they didn't have to do for themselves but for you, the community.

[@UncrushableHope]

I've been following this whole thing for awhile and I can't help but wonder how CS:GO, League of Legends, and however many other games' crafting systems have managed to avoid the same scrutiny. Secondly, if this is gambling, how can buying Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokémon, Magic or even Baseball and other sports cards, not be considered as such? There is no guarantee of getting something good from the pack you buy. And the same tactics are employed in trading cards to get you to spend money.

[@GameDevCade]

Gotta love them beetahs

[@TheoneandonlyEETFUK]

SHEDULED

[@TheoneandonlyEETFUK]

BEETA

[@wildone106]

The first one sucked, having to compete with kids and basement dwellers who have nothing else to do but play this 80 hours a week theres no chance in hell to 'git gud' to beat that level of commitment

[@thepunchableface1506]

No need to 'git gud' when the game is designed for casuals and doesn't even reward skill.

[@Astranoire]

Bee-duh

[@gilet102]

It's not that serious. Not of fan of micro transactions either but you can play this game without paying anything.

[@1nnards]

Literally every channel is going to cover this over and over and over and I’m already done

[@namelessjuan4696]

I want more to be honest so that we can send to those greedy companies out there that we REALLY hate lootboxes and microtransactions.

[@evorm7329]

controversy usually means that theres a lot of arguments on different sides, but this isnt a controversy. everyone universally agrees loot box pay2win is a shitty thing

[@Eresea]

"We are really listening to the community" Like shit you are, after Battlefront I everyone definitly said that making the sequel pay2win and using disgusting microtransactions would be great.