Connect with us

Gaming

Battlefront II has Removed Microtransactions, So What?

blank

Published

on

Battlefront

Star Wars Battlefront II, boy, I am sick and tired of talking about this game. This is a game that is plagued with bugs, graphical issues and even presented the worst alternative to Loot Boxes I have ever seen. But some players love to jump in and defend that like it’s nothing else, and I am here trying to warn them that they are at risk like a fool.

It all culminated today when one of the representatives from Dice, an EA Subsidiary, mentioned that the Microtransactions in general would be removed. So yeah, the Battlefront II loot boxes are gone, so what?

You don’t realize this is temporary. EA won’t give up on sucking money from others.

Electronic Arts is as greedy as any company can get, people. This isn’t a company that will give up on trying to find ways to go after players’ wallets. I mean, the fact that they terminated their Loot Boxes is because Disney practically forced them to.

I mean, we are talking about the game that was about to be investigated by a Belgian organization. We’re talking about the game that literally everyone hates and had the worst attempt at damage control I’ve ever seen.

Star Wars Battlefront II’s loot box retirement doesn’t mean victory for the microtransactions detractors. It just means that Electronic Arts is making a strategic retreat before coming back with way more advanced weaponry.

It’s way too late to Stop Loot Boxes and their success now. No matter how much people would love to think otherwise, they are here to stay. The fact that this absolute cancer to gaming is already on an advanced stage and got removed from one game doesn’t mean it’s time for party.

The Games as a Service model has been completely abused by developers like EA and Monolith. Oh yeah, have you forgotten that Call of Duty: WWII, Middle Earth: Shadow of War and Overwatch still have Loot Boxes and microtransactions? Alongside games like Need For Speed: Payback, Forza Motorsport 7 and others?

Heck, there’s already talk at EA and Dice about how they are going to implement microtransactions again. Not even a single day passed and we already are seeing that these things are gonna come back. Let’s just face it, EA simply won’t give up and find another way to suck up other people’s money.

Boxes

The game is a piece of rubbish anyway.

Have you even played Star Wars Battlefront II? I avoided having to buy it and waited for Jim Sterling to play the game. Unsurprisingly, I found out that the game has unbearable graphical and performance glitches.

Great, the sequel to the most panned video game in history hasn’t learned from its mistakes. What a shocker, especially considering that the developers were too focused on making their awful pay-to-win scheme instead of, you know, fixing the goddamned game to begin with.

Even without the fact that this game has so many exploits that would make Smash Bros Melee blush. The game is just too unbalanced to be played (Let alone taken) seriously at any level no matter which you think. If you think this is eSports material, you are delusional.

I am not too well-versed into Star Wars to talk about how much inaccuracies there are in the game. But I have heard from friends and other fans of the franchise that some ships and heroes are given more credit than they should. But, that’s unreliable because it’s testimony so, bleh.

This is a game I am so glad I skipped over instead of having to play it, and you’ll bet your ass that these issues will be fixed. Not for the sake of the players, no, but to appease the chairmen and investors.

Not everything is doom and gloom though, some fighting sequences seem awesome. But just the fact that the game has one or two moments that make it stand out doesn’t mean it’s a good game. It’s simply a grind-fest that doesn’t have a microtransaction model (For now).

Belgium

Playing Devil’s Advocate for a Second.

Let’s address the elephant in the room. When I covered the article that mentioned the Loot Box system being too popular to be terminated. I got curious when Glixel made mention that Loot Boxes could be handled well.

I looked back on Overwatch and remembered the argument I’m so sick of hearing “It’s just cosmetic”. But why does it work so well on this regard when Battlefront II couldn’t get away with it?

I started taking things onto a different perspective, and I noticed that Overwatch does handle this better. While I’d rather have NO Loot Boxes in sight, at least Overwatch offers no DLC, no Season Passes and every update and character addition is free of charge. Not to mention, this is done heavily to support the eSports players and their divisions.

I mean, if we really are going to have to deal with this sort of microtransactions from now on. Then, how about just taking out every single bit of paid content and keeping the Loot Boxes for cosmetic items only? Heck, this was the original idea for Battlefront II‘s development

I mean, it’s still a scummy strategy that resembles gambling. But (minus a few exceptions which are respectable) every company and it’s subsidiary wants to try their heads into Loot Boxes. So, once again, an alternative that allows players to support the game because they want to is good.

I mean, just look at the REQ packs in Halo 5, people bought them because they wanted to help others. Not so much for the benefits in the packs themselves, which are pretty lackluster if you ask me. Again, I’m not saying we should have them, but we can reach a compromise that can appease both consumers and publishers. I’d suggest watch this essay by Cleanprincegaming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nookkjCSHUs

Returning to the question in the title.

So, once again I ask. Battlefront II removed the Loot Boxes and microtransactions, So what? The game is still broken, we have loot boxes and such in many other games and their implementation is abusive. EA is gonna return into a microtransaction scheme regardless of whether or not we like it.

And the sad part is that we are going to have to live with this now. So, if we can’t reach an agreement where these dreaded cancer tumors can go back to hell. We can at least reach a compromise that we can all agree on.

Or, you know, the gaming community can insult me for getting X detail wrong. Or for saying that I am a Loot Box advocate despite only defending it once through this article, whichever works. But the point is, things still need to be done regardless of this temporary setback. Especially in the rise of the Games as a Service model which people love to take out of context.

I always wanted to be a journalist who listens. The Voice of the Unspoken and someone heavily involved in the gaming community. From playing as a leader of a competitive multi-branch team to organizing tournaments for the competitive scene to being involved in a lot of gaming communities. I want to keep moving forward as a journalist.

Gaming

TopSpin 2K25 appears to be a standout title in the recent PS5 and PS4 gameplay showcase

blank

Published

on

blank

This author has consistently praised the realistic portrayal of tennis in TopSpin 4. After more than a decade, we are thrilled to witness the release of TopSpin 2K25, which expands upon the success of its renowned predecessor. This gameplay video provides a comprehensive overview of the features discussed in our recent preview while also incorporating relevant footage to enhance understanding.

The series’ swing system sets it apart from arcade-style games like Virtua Tennis, as it requires players to charge up their shots in a different way. In order to succeed, timing is crucial, and fortunately, a new meter above your player will assist you in achieving that. Surfaces have their own distinct characteristics, such as clay, where you’ll experience a noticeable amount of sliding.

The game ensures that every player has a distinct set of animations, adding a touch of individuality to each competitor. The courts, found in all Grand Slams, possess a remarkable amount of individuality and charm. It is mentioned in the video that with each in-game season, players can expect a plethora of additional content, such as animation packs. This indicates that there will be plenty to anticipate even after the game’s initial release.

Continue Reading

Gaming

Developers are reportedly questioning the purpose behind Sony’s PS5 Pro upgrade

blank

Published

on

blank

Two major stories have emerged at GDC this year: the decline of Xbox’s brand and the speculation surrounding the purpose of the PS5 Pro. During a podcast discussion, Christopher Dring, a prominent reporter from GamesIndustry.biz, expressed his observations about the lack of understanding surrounding Sony’s rumored mid-gen upgrade. Dring claims that he came across a lot of people at the show who were confused about its purpose.

He made it clear that he anticipates “PS5 fans” upgrading, which gives Sony certain advantages. However, game developers are finding it difficult to generate enthusiasm for the system. “Developers don’t seem to see the necessity for it, based on my conversations with them,” he disclosed. Some people believe they aren’t fully maximizing the potential of the PS5 from the start.

With the lingering effects of the pandemic and the lengthy development cycles, the PlayStation 5 has yet to showcase a substantial lineup of exclusive blockbuster titles. “Some companies expressed skepticism about the potential for growth and impact,” Dring nonchalantly remarked. This current generation of consoles appears to have barely begun, with no apparent demand for a mid-generation update. How about we focus on developing fresh, cutting-edge software?

The journalist later explained that Sony likely has realistic expectations for the refresh, understanding that it will likely have limited appeal to a specific audience. As we’ve mentioned before, the introduction of PlayStation Spectral Resolution and other innovative features is aimed at enhancing the performance modes in games like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Thus, if such an experience resonates with your preferences, you likely fall into the niche audience that PlayStation aims to cater to.

Continue Reading

Gaming

Bend Studio, the development team behind Days Gone, is expanding their staff for an exciting new project in the world of AAA live service gaming

blank

Published

on

blank

Sony’s Bend Studios is expanding its team for another high-profile game, signaling PlayStation’s ongoing pursuit of the live service trend. When we last heard from the Oregan-based developer of Days Gone, Bend expressed their anticipation and confidence in their upcoming project, suggesting that it would propel the studio to new heights.

By way of Eurogamer, the studio has alerted us to this most recent update. It appears that a recruitment ad has been recently posted on the company’s website. Bend is looking for a lead project manager who can effectively manage project scope based on current team velocities and milestone schedules. The role requires hands-on game development experience in leadership roles, specifically in shipping AAA live-service games. Specifically, the ideal candidate should possess a proven ability to transform game development studios from a traditional focus on boxed products to dynamic live service development, all while holding a key leadership position.

It’s worth noting that while a service game out of Bend has the potential to be great, it’s important to acknowledge the numerous failed attempts in recent history. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve reported on a cancelled Spider-Man game, rumors of an online Twisted Metal project, and a fantasy co-op game that got axed when London Studio shut down. And mind you, that’s just scratching the surface of what Sony has been up to. Choosing to take a chance with a studio that specializes in single-player games seems questionable, to say the least.

Continue Reading

Trending