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Seems like Star Wars Battlefront 2 is still pay-to-win

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Star Wars Battlefront 2

It’d be fair to say the Star Wars Battlefront 2 beta in October was controversial. The main problem? Loot crates.

Near enough the entirety of progression in Star Wars Battlefront 2 comes from loot crates – from cosmetics to straight up game-changing stat upgrades. It didn’t take long for news to spread and fans haven’t been happy. Players could have a significant advantage just from having better luck when opening a crate, or more importantly, buying a ton of crates to increase their chances.

Since the Beta, DICE and EA announced that the way loot crates work would change. This involved removing the highest tier of unlockable Star Cards from crates alongside weapons and class-specific abilities. If you want a legendary version of your card, you’re going to have to craft it which is also level restricted.

Obviously, this was a step in the right direction but it still raised questions with fans.

As it turns out, the change hasn’t actually done much. According to Youtube gaming channel Xfactorgaming, Battlefront 2 is still pay-to-win.

He bought $90 worth of lootboxes and yep, he’s pretty overpowered. Sure, his cards are locked to level tiers but the highest you need to be is level 20, which isn’t very high. Sure, it’s all available using in-game currency but the grind is obviously much higher. Sure, you can craft the cards you want but unfortunately, crafting materials are also in loot crates. This is the definition of pay-to-win.

It’s a fluid system and it might be that EA will change it down the line but for now, it sure seems like not much has changed. You still need cards to improve your character and the easiest way to do that is to drop a ton of money on crates. With Xfactor already level 14 on some classes in little under a day, level gating doesn’t seem to be that effective of a deterrent.

On the other hand, this should come as no surprise to anyone. EA have literally said they want to use the Ultimate Team formula elsewhere.

“Ultimate Team started out as a mode in FIFA, and EA has now implemented it in several of its sports franchises. According to Jorgensen, the “real opportunity” is finding ways to bring a similar concept other EA games.

“Like Battlefield or Battlefront, our Star Wars game, which are very similar in the depth of play – we can possibly add a similar mechanic to that. We spend a lot of time thinking about it,” he said. “Not for tomorrow, but over the next couple of years you’re going to see a lot more of that in our portfolio.”

The problem is, raw stat increases that can be paid for have no place in multiplayer, casual or competitive. I’d even go as far as to argue that you shouldn’t level gate content but I understand that some developers want to keep players aiming for something.

In it’s current state, two new players who start playing Battlefront 2 right now can be at wildly different ‘power levels’. And that’s before incorporating any natural skill.

We’ll see how this pans out but as it stands, Star Wars Battlefront 2 is still highly in favour of those who don’t mind splashing the cash.

UK based gaming writer, raised on a diet of Street Fighter and Isometric RPG's. I enjoy playing every game I can get my grubby little hands on.

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Sony is reportedly engaged in discussions to form a partnership for a potential bid on Paramount

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There hasn’t been much buzz lately about any new acquisitions in the world of video game intellectual property. According to a recent report, Sony is currently engaged in discussions with a well-funded partner to potentially acquire the renowned film studio Paramount, along with all the exciting possibilities that come with such a merger.

As reported in the New York Times (thanks, ResetEra), Sony Picture Entertainment is reportedly in discussions with Apollo Global Management, an investment firm, as per two sources familiar with the matter. In the past, Apollo had made an offer to acquire Paramount for a minimum of $26 billion, but their bid was ultimately turned down.

The terms of the joint bid are currently under discussion, and there is a chance that the two parties may decide against making a formal offer. Unnamed sources have revealed that Paramount is currently in exclusive discussions with Skydance, preventing any official offer from being made at this time. Investor opposition to the recent deal that Skydance brought seems to have been significant.

The potential impact of such an acquisition is immense. First and foremost, it would introduce adaptations of Sonic and Halo into the expanding media empire of the PlayStation platform holder. Following the announcement, Paramount’s stock experienced a significant 11% surge in after-hours trading.

What are your thoughts on the news? Is there a possibility of Sony acquiring Paramount? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Helldivers 2 Players Face Overwhelming Hordes of Factory Striders

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In the ongoing conflict against the Automaton invasion fleet, the Helldivers 2 players have successfully halted their advance. However, the situation has now reached a tiresome stalemate. Yet again, the machines refuse to take a break from their relentless pursuit of progress, with reports emerging of the Factory Striders being deployed in record-breaking quantities.

There have been reports of alleged machines that were supposedly encountered during Operation Swift Disassembly, which was just the beginning of a larger campaign. However, these accounts should be taken with a grain of salt, as they are unverified and seem to be more on the imaginative side. Factory Striders have gained a reputation as formidable weapons platforms that can produce more Automatons while enduring significant damage. If the machines are able to withstand such a relentless assault, it will be necessary to develop innovative strategies.

Have you come across groups of Factory Striders in Helldivers 2? Which strategies are proving to be the most effective in taking down these armored brutes? The Orbital Railcannon Strike will prove to be a valuable asset in the comments section below.

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Todd Howard affirms that the timeline of the Fallout series is coherent and well-constructed

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The recent release of Amazon’s adaptation of Fallout has ignited a renewed interest in the series and brought attention to the captivating alternate history that forms its foundation. Fans have expressed concern that the TV show’s events might be at odds with the plot of the Obsidian Entertainment video game New Vegas. Warning: Spoilers ahead for New Vegas and Amazon’s show!

Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard and Fallout TV executive producer Jonathan Nolan recently sat down with IGN to discuss the timeline. Howard was taken aback when showrunners Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet presented him with the surprising concept of obliterating Shady Sands, the bustling capital of the New California Republic, in the aftermath of the events in New Vegas. Howard eventually warmed up to the idea: “After discussing it, we realized that this could be a significant story moment that many things hinge upon.”

It seems that they had to make some tough decisions to ensure everything fell into place, but Howard emphasizes the importance of preserving the integrity of the Fallout timeline: “We take great care with the timeline. There seems to be some confusion in certain areas. However, all the events from the previous games, including New Vegas, did occur. We take great caution in that matter. We’re really pushing the limits here, but the explosions occur right after the events of New Vegas.

What are your thoughts on this? Is it up to par? Even though it may not have a significant impact on the overall quality of the games or show, it is comforting to know that those in charge are paying attention. We value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

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