EA Dev On Star Wars Battlefront 2 Loot Crates Controversy: We’re The Trendy Target At The Moment

Star Wars: Battlefront 2 has been quite the hot topic of discussion these days, not least because of its controversial monetization model in the form of paid loot boxes.

[-Foxtrot]

Is this guy serious? Is he trying to play the victim card in some way...WHAT DID YOU GUYS EXPECT?

They are awful, they said they made changes with their transparent PR bullshit then people are reporting it's still P2W. Like seriously they are that child in the playground who's awful to other people, bitches, spread lies, does things to see what happens because they are "curious" then they'll go home to their parents , tear up and go "I just don't understand why no one likes me, life's so unfair".

"But shit like "EA sucks", "Your games are trash" or my favorite "EA is evil and ruining the industry" that shit helps no one"

It does...it helps people not buy your games to fill your pockets so this vicious circle comes to an end. We want good games and supporting you guys when you do awful jobs isn't going to help anyone. We all know how Respawns Star Wars game is going to turn out and we know nothing about it.

""Not ppl giving constructive criticism that devs can actually utilize and improve the game upon"

So "we don't want MTs" - Gives us MTs..."we don't want loot boxes" - Gives us Loot boxes..."we want it more like the old Battlefront games where it was about skill" - Gives us another game which relies on luck, gimmicks and what powerful shit you've unlocked by chance. Things like that are being ignored...like they do for most EA games.

Some of the people on that twitter convo defending Sean are sickening, they clearly licking EA's arses

"I think people have forgotten that video games are for fun and nothing is perfect and also businesses need make money...nothing is for free...I also understand people have opinions but damn no need to get so worked up"

"I find it humorous that these same people choose not to play literally THOUSANDS of other games but don’t spend time shit talking those. They pick popular titles so they can look trendy and cool. Again - GROW UP" - By a guy who's sponsored by so many things.

"If they could only articulate and provide constructive feedback it could help tremendously to shape the game to what they want and help everyone including them and you all. It would be a win win"

Here's the original Tweet guys. Read BiggSean66 tweets, the developer, how immature.

https://twitter.com/Siefe/s...

[Liqu1d]

I used to think these developers had no say and were forced to implement terrible business practices, now I'm not so sure.

[-Foxtrot]

He seems to give off the impression that he supports it freely and the studio must do half this kind of shit themselves.

[spektical]

As a software dev, it's usally the product manager that drives the goals for the project. Devs have a voice and they should be the ones siding with the consumers morally since not many devs benefit directly from good turnouts; its usually the PM with huge financial bonuses. Everyone else gets smaller rewards.

[fiveby9]

EA get's none of my money. Zero. As Michael Corleone said in the Godfather, "Here's my offer. You'll get nothing...."

[yeahokwhatever]

the devs, i assure you, have 0 say in what happens outside of how their code is written. Blame the product and design. There's been a huge wave recently of "game designers" infecting the industry whose area of expertise is monetization spread sheets. They know nothing about fun and have no talent.

[daBUSHwhaka]

Reading some of the twitter comments saddens me.Buffoons like this blowing smoke up their tight ass is what makes these companies believe they are doing no wrong.Sad sad days and if crazy twats like this continue to praise decisions like this things are never gonna change.

[PapaBop]

Preach! Sadly you have to remember, this is the company that in direct response to being voted worst company in America, talked up their business practices and tried to downplay criticism with their choice of cover athletes for Madden and their pro LGBT stand as if trying to imply the entire gaming community are homophobic.

Still, that entire tweet comments section looks like a circle jerk of EA developers, it makes for some glorious reading, long may they feel the strain of their company's BS practices.

[rocketpanda]

This guy tells people to grown up saying actual concerns are childish complaints. Meanwhile when EA tried to justify their loot system and MT on their own battlefront subreddit they managed to become the most downvoted comment in Reddit history. https://www.reddit.com/r/St...

[Weeblordbad]

Which sounds like a bunch of children with to much time on their hands.

[BABI-PANGPANG]

Couldn't have said it better myself, Fox.

[victorMaje]

Amen.

[AnubisG]

Playing the victim is trendy. Is it trendy to say trendy? What is the word now?😆

[IamTylerDurden1]

They are the trendy target. Go yell and curse at Shadow of War, Destiny 2, WWII, Forza, and AC as they just released with bs MTs as well. Go berate Microsoft as they admitted to restructuring for a GaaS/MT future...and they tried to spin it as a good thing while telling us that sp games are no good. Activision, Microsoft, and Ubisoft are in the same boat yet ppl act as if EA/Battlefront is the only one. Activision just released 2 games with abhorrent dlc/MT, Microsoft is shoving loot boxes into Gears, Forza, and Halo, and Ubisoft is possibly the greediest of them all. And if you really want to know who popularized this trend of loot boxes in a $60 game, it's Blizzard/Overwatch. Overwatch set the standard, they are the game that others intend to emulate. A free to play model in a $60 game, thank Overwatch.

Also, it really seems like there is an agenda against Battlefront every time it releases. Last time it was lack of content, season pass, no campaign, no space combat ect. Now, they add a killer campaign and quell virtually every other complaint in regards to lack of content and pricey season passes only to get absolutely massacred for having loot boxes. Loot boxes suck, GaaS sucks, abhorrent MTs suck...but what DICE actually added in terms of the actual game looks great. Ppl were screaming for a campaign, even the old Battlefronts never had a legitimate sp campaign. Now, DICE adds what looks to be an awesome and truly interesting campaign. The game has space battles, droids, and it appears to be quite robust. I know that loot boxes are a disappointment but it's unfair to the innocent developers at DICE to unjustly color this a bad game simply bc the studio heads are greedy.

[-Foxtrot]

They aren't...we've all had our say on the other games you've mentioned, where have you been? BF2 is coming up, we've shifted onto that...plus their awful PR isn't helping

[ZehnDrachen]

At the moment the progression system of the game is still behind loot-boxes. The amount of time it takes to progress without paying money on them is far too long.

[PapaBop]

And this is ultimately the problem here, they've built the entire progression system around loot boxes, no amount of feedback is going to change the fact this was decided long ago by the higher ups and likely can't be changed by the developers themselves.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Are friggin serious EA, THIS DMG Control is over 9000. Don't buy this game vote with your wallets. Oh wait.. kids are going to play this aren't they:(

[Amyellevivv]

Sadly yes some people will still support this kind of bullshit. Only cause its star wars.. But hey we keep on fighting!

[Blank]

I wholeheartedly agree with this statement keep abstaining from supporting this practice it's only a matter of time before it hits other people's favorite franchise. Sure your one person but with other likeminded people it will add up altogether. I already am doing my part supporting other games that aren't leaning towards games as a service.

[PapaBop]

It already has hit most casual gamer's favourite franchises, one of my closest friends isn't a big gamer, he checks out gamer forums leading up to the release of big games but ultimately doesn't take a big interest in most games, just buys Fifa and Assassin's Creed each year, he doesn't even have his console hooked up to his internet and even he's been asking me about MTs, it's important that us dedicated gamers keep speaking out and raise awareness of this issue and the damage it's doing to the integrity of our games.

[zerocarnage]

I want to play it, I want to buy it but I've said to myself I will not be buying anymore full priced games which have loot boxes in, they don't belong in games which are not free2plays.

So because it's star wars I may want it but my money is not purchasing this kind of bull crap, because that's all everyone's money is now buying in our games which will in turn pave the way next gen for more devious and crazy methods to force gamers into paying..

[Pintheshadows]

I will say this. This is the most I have seen the community come together against practices like this so hopefully EA will take a big hit on their projections. They deserve it.

[fiveby9]

Yea EA is using the "it's Star Wars, they'll buy anything and accept anything". I will not buy this game. Pass the word on to all your friends to not buy this game and educate them why. EA trying to play the victim. Give me a break. EA doesn't really listen to gamers. The only way to combat them is to not purchase their games with MTs like SW BF2.

[annoyedgamer]

All my gym buddies will show up to me and complain next time we meet up and I will respond as usual. You bought it, and EA are laughing all the way to the bank". Its the same thing every time EA, Activision or Ubisoft release something.

[seanpitt23]

EA are the worse like activision I will not buy SWBF2 it's just pure greed that's why they can buy respawn for $400m it's pocket change to EA because they have been scr#wing their customers for years.

The beta sucked anyway just the same as the first with a little more content.

[fiveby9]

The Respawn purchase is mostly incentive based on financial performance of Respawn too. Most of the money EA is offering is 4 years out. So you know Respawn's motives now will not be their creativity but rather how can we best maximize our ROI so we get our money from EA on our acquisition. You can bet Respawn will be looking to "monetize long-term engagement" via microtransactions. EA and others are a cancer on an entertainment medium we all love.

[Chaosdreams]

You want constructive criticism over loot boxes? Alright, sure. Here it is:

For starters, locate your broken heart and give it a good squeeze. Is the blood flowing yet? Good, good - almost thought we lost you there.

Now,

That's about it. No sense in saying anything else. Anyone who's aware of what's going on knows that those who've made this game are unfortunately as human as a storm trooper. We don't blame you for where you've ended up, we just know you're on the wrong side of this battle.

[FlameWater]

Don't like it don't buy it, simple concept to grasp

[Blank]

Don't like to hear or read backlash or boycott don't react or comment, simple concept to grasp.

[FlameWater]

I've read the backlash and it's nonsensical. People crying about loot boxes and micro transactions but the REALITY IS people buy them so obviously there is a market for them. Keep crying while you buy every loot box game that comes out XD

[TheVetOfGaming]

That's missing the point. Any gamer who actually values where the industry goes would not just sit back and keep feeding the monster that is killing it. One day you become more aware of the bigger picture.

[FlameWater]

lol what? This isn't human life it's the video game industry, if there is a market to buy something someone will sell it whether you like it or not. If the majority or profitable audience prefer loot boxes, that's where the game companies are going to aim. Don't like it, make your own games or find a new hobby.

[MegaMohsi]

Figured there would be at least one of you defenders of this shitty practice on here. Do you work for EA or a giant corporation or are just a stupid simpleton? It's one or the other frankly.

[FlameWater]

First off thank you for your warm reception comment I'm so glad here on N4G I can have a reasonable discussion on facts and opinions with no need to worry about prejudice or insult. No I do not work for EA. I simply believe people have the right to do what ever they want with their IP as they see fit. Loot boxes have proven to be a strong steady supply of income thanks to the dweebish hypocritical point of view of today's modern gamer.
They bitch and moan about loot boxes and micro transactions but still buy the games which gives companies absolutely no reason to stop sucking money out of idiots such as yourself thank you :)

[Chaosdreams]

@FlameWater

The one's pointing out the flaws of loot boxes/microtransactions are not the same one's feeding the beast, that bs comparison doesn't work in this regard. The fact is EA went and turned Battlefront 2 into a PTW experience - and while that will bring them in an absurd amount of revenue, they in turn alienate gamers and give the entire industry a dreary future.

If their goal is to make millions upon millions until people walk away entirely, they are on track for that. So, sure, they are being legit corporate scum in that sense.

And as you've said, they can do what they want with their IP's. Gamers can also point out what they think of it and choose to rip it into shreds.

Don't be an ass. Thank you :)

[TheVetOfGaming]

Trendy? no. A**holes? yes.

[Elda]

I want to play the campaign but I have so many games that I'm playing & I just bought a few games Sat from Gamestop's Pro pre-holiday sale & buying a few on Black Friday.I may wait till I finish a few games then I'll buy.I could care less about MT's I never buy into that.

[notachance]

you never played the beta mate? in this game's case it's not even about buying MTs or not, they literally locked the progression in the lootboxes

want to craft a weapon? get the craft material
want to upgrade a weapon? get the craft material
want to upgrade star card (the pay-to-win shit)? get the craft material
want to get a star card? open lootboxes

the only way to get craft material is... you guessed it, open lootboxes
and with normal play you can maybe open 1 with 2-3 hours of play, it's not even guaranteed you can get craft material even then, to top it off you only get 10-20 material per boxes while the crafting needs between 100 to 600

that's right, even if you're super lucky and got 20 crafting material each box you still need to play 15 hours to craft the lowest level upgrade.

that's already beyond you never bought MTs or not, that's literally shoving MTs down your throat

[Elda]

I just want to play the campaign & I don't think you need loot boxes to finish the campaign.I could care less about the multiplayer part.

[spicelicka]

If you have an xbox I would recommend just getting EA Access, if don't have it already. What I'll be doing is getting a year membership for $30 and finishing the campaign with the 10 hour trial.

[yeahokwhatever]

either way, they get paid. good job feeding the monster.

[Kaii]

Now If you get-a duplicate In-a lootbox you get 200 credits, you need 11 duplicates to purchase the cheapest lootbox.
This new approach to our hobby that we love Is disheartening, Its disgusting, but the established brands will already sell like hotcakes.

Give me-a offline SWTOR 3 with no season pass, but It doesn't suit their games as-a service -_-

[Gamist2dot0]

I am a fan of SW but thanks for F*&king it up. There goes one copy not being sold.

[PapaBop]

I hate this logic, "vote with your wallets, just don't you dare speak out about it"

This is one of the major benefits of today's connected generation, the little guy finally has a voice. That voice might ultimately count for little when concerned with such a major brand like Star Wars but it runs the very real risk of damaging EA's reputation on a larger scale for their other releases which don't have such a large pull with the more casual gamer.

I agree that making people feel bad for their decisions to buy controversial games is wrong but at the same time, it's important for us dedicated gamers to speak out about BS practices. In the case of Battlefront 2, this is the first game I've at least looked at buying where they've directly focused the entire progression system around microtransactions. It's such a blatant cash grab to milk fans further, you just have to look at EA's former CEO'se (John Ricotelo) comments talking up charging fans for reloading their weapons to see their logic behind designing games from the ground up with MTs in mind.

Anyway look on the bright side, for EA developers going on a twitter rant about this means that the gaming community speaking out against loot crates is directly effecting them and it's long overdue, many of the big publishers might be implementing MTs as a standard but nobody goes about it in such a blatant way as EA and it's about time they feel the direct consequences of this.

[spicelicka]

Agreed. Also voting with your wallet isn't always practical. Gaming is a hobby people have for releasing tension and having fun. If someone is a huge fan of a certain franchise or IP they're not going withhold themselves from an experience they will enjoy simply because they want to protest a bad feature of the game. They can choose not to support those specific bad features but that doesn't necessarily affect EA's earnings. It's likely that most of the people spending money on these MT's won't ever see these messages, and even if they did they won't be convinced with a "vote with your wallet" slogan.

[Nybz]

Even with loot crates I’m still having fun blasting people in the face, especially since there’s no cards that increase your rifle/pistol damage (I think star Fighters are a diff story however). Loot crates or not, the game feels fun to me.

Not to mention, crazy pretty too.

[Usperg]

No but the point is with these trash crates, that ok the casual gamer or noob if want of a better word won't see much of a difference regardless of what cards he has BUT a very skilled player will be able to benefit from these top tier star cards and the casual gamer wont have a chance in hell in this game and you will see players drop off like flies from frustration!!!

First thing when you die is to look what the star cards he is using!!!There was a serious amount of players i had to question in my mind the way they were playing..... Was insane!!

[Nybz]

You make a good point, but then instead of pointing blame at the crates, shouldn't WE the gamers DEMAND a Matchmaking system to put similar skill levels together?

This loot crate stuff has become a meme, and it's an easy target. The real head of the snake is the laziness of the developers. The lack of a proper matchmaking system and implementing it in a game like this is probably a challenge, but damn it'd fix a lot for the casual and competitive crazy ones with daddy's credit card on tap.

I'm sure EA and their infinite money they seem to have can hire enough smart people to figure that one out, but instead we the gamers point blame at the surface issue, not the underlying issue of lazy developing.

[The-rain-maker]

This is real like starwars , and we are the rebels fighting the republic. #No micro transactions , Don't support the lust of greed

[Rebel_Scum]

Good....gooooood....I can feeeeel your ANGer

[datriax]

LOL Good god.

I wish ill on almost nobody, but I truly wish ill on you, and the s**tbag company you work for.

F**k off.

[zerocarnage]

That disgusting that he came out and actually said that, should be ashamed of himself, more disrespectful words and obviously ideals from these greedy devs and publishers.

When are gamers going to learn though that they could teach a lesson back to these greed mongering devs that all gamers have to do is avoid games entirely which have loot boxes and micro t's in.

Just say no and eventually it will hurt the devs to a point they will have no choice to abandon these ridiculous and over the top money whoring methods.

[Chexs1990]

Wtf is going on at EA and DICE! Are they really that disconnected with their end-users as to victimize themselves for their own anti-consumer decisions!

This is getting ridiculous -_-

[StormSailor]

Please don't buy this game. EA must suffer to stop selling pay to win for $60

[Artemidorus]

Trendy target? More like greedy fools and fans finally understand.

Make it a free to play game at least.

[UCForce]

This is disrespectful and greedy from EA.

[zb1ftw777]

He is right.

They are the trendy target.

But he's too dumb to realise that EA are industry leaders, and where they go, others follow.

People target EA because they are the root cause for pushing bullshit on to consumers.

[RosweeSon]

Maybe ask yourselves why 🤦🏻‍♂️✌🏻 ;

[gamer7804]

I feel bad for some of the programmers and Janina Gavankar who voiced the main character. They did a fantastic job, only to have it undermined by this loot box controversy others at EA and the Studio implemented despite gamers concerns.

[Ittoittosai]

Yeah it cant be that your loot box system is BS and pay to win still.

[Grave]

I've uninstalled Origin. It will never go back onto my PC.

[Kiknyonutz]

You play stupid games and you win stupid prizes. Not even the Star Wars brand can save your money pit of a game.

[TargusX]

Sad days. I blame the free to play games which started all this dreadful sh*t. Basically a tacky fruit machine built into a game.

[RyanShutup]

They've been the "trendy target" for the past 10 years or so... time to fix your company EA. Stop buying up devs only to kill them. You're a cancer, get your head out of the sand.

[PiCOSMOiP]

Basically...It’s A TRAP!

Screw this. I’m not falling for this crap. They got me on day one battlefront 1 release. Fool me once. Not again. I’ll wait until they fix the problem...probably never

[Edito]

Yeah you are the trending target now because you shit is shittier than everybody else's shit... so suck it dry...

[SierraGuy]

No your not trendy your just an idiot.