EA Addresses Loot Crate Criticism, Announces Changes To Battlefront II

After the beta for Star Wars: Battlefront II finished, one key feature left a sour taste in the mouth of many gamers: loot crates. Many felt that the ability to unlock weapons and Star Cards through the purchasing of loot crates basically created a pay-to-win scenario where new players would get destroyed by those with more money than sense.

Not long after the beta finished, EA said they would listen to this fan feedback, but today they’ve announced how these changes will affect the game going forward, and they should do a good job of mending the bridges between EA and the Battlefront community.

The main change is that Epic Star Cards and weaponry have been, for the most part, removed from crates entirely. We say for the most part, but Epic Cards can still be found in starter packs and special pre-order packs, whilst certain weapons will remain available via crates. Hopefully, it’ll be the crap ones.

The full list of changes to Star Wars: Battlefront II at launch, which was originally posted on EA.com, can be found below:

• Epic Star Cards, the highest tier of Star Cards available at launch, have been removed from Crates. To help keep everyone on a level playing field, these Star Cards will primarily be available through crafting, with the exception of special Epic Star Cards available through pre-order, deluxe, and starter packs.
• You’ll need to reach a certain rank to craft upgraded Star Cards. You won’t be able to buy a bunch of Crates, grind everything up into crafting materials, and immediately use them to get super powerful Star Cards. You can only upgrade the ability to craft higher tier Star Cards by ranking up through playing the game.
• Weapons are locked behind specific milestones. While a select few will be found in Crates, the rest can only be attained by play. Want to unlock a new weapon for your Heavy? Play as a Heavy and you’ll gain access to the class’s new weapons.
• Class-specific gear and items can be unlocked by playing as them. As you progress through your favorite class, you’ll hit milestones granting you class-specific Crates. These will include a mix of Star Cards and Crafting Parts to benefit your class’s development.

With these changes in place, Star Wars: Battlefront II’s progression can go back to what it should have been in the first place: unlocking items for the classes you enjoy the most. Are these changes enough to get you back on board? Sound off in the comments.