I think it’s time that gamers and normies alike take up a magnifying glass and peer into the growing argument that goes by the name of “EA Did Nothing Wrong”, which is in regards to Star Wars Battlefront 2, microtransactions, RNG loot-boxes, and non-disclosed “gambling” in video games.
Circling the internet comes a recent post by IGN. The piece asks the question “Can AAA Games Survive Without Microtransactions?” Here’s an excerpt of the post, which touches on the growing situation that EA and DICE have made quite relevant due to their product that is Star Wars Battlefront 2:
“there are a lot of people who say “well, I’d prefer to have optional microtransactions than to have to pay $80 USD for games,” but I don’t think this is a choice we need to make, and it’s certainly not one we should accept.
The logic behind that argument is that development and marketing costs are rising, and this is true. Rami Ismail, co-founder of independent developer Vlambeer (Ridiculous Fishing, Nuclear Throne), told IGN, “While games are often cheaper now than ever before, budgets keep rising due to customer expectations. Someone has to make those 4K HDR models and textures, someone has to animate those 30 extra frames per second.” Another facet is that, despite inflation, video games have remained the same price in the United States for the past decade, meaning there are profit losses as a result of price stasis. Both of these things are correct, but there’s a lot more to it.”
A lot of people roll with what’s said in the blockquote. You say you don’t believe me? Well various of people have taken to forum boards and videos defending EA and DICE practice regarding Star Wars Battlefront 2 and its certain “feature” that brings a sense of pride and accomplishment.
One person in particular goes by the name of Trypal, who said the following:
“In short, Star Wars battlefront 2 is a fun game. In my experience, it’s not pay to win. Being a new player, I could easily compete with those who had upgraded cards. The game is balanced. Micro-transactions allow for free DLC as things cost money. Get past the controversy and see for yourself. Idc how much hate I get. That’s the truth.”
Videos like the above have sparked enough people to get YouTuber LegacyKillaHD, who has quite a bit of followers, to say:
“For some reason a lot of people think this controversy was caused by “poor” young players….yeah they think that.”
He, LegacyKillaHD, even went as far as to make a 16 minute long video to reason the problems found with arguments found in Trypal’s video.
On the same exact day as LegacyKillaHD video went up, YouTuber The Act Man wanted to dive in and understand why people defend EA, Star Wars Battlefront 2, undisclosed microtransactions, and RNG-based loot-boxes:
“It’s hard to believe, but yes some people are defending EA and Star Wars: Battlefront 2 and it’s loot boxes. At least in this case, the video defending them is playing Devil’s Advocate. Is there any legitimacy found here? Are the actions of EA indefensible? Only one way to find out….”
If you don’t own Star Wars Battlefront 2 but you feel like you need a solution because you want to try it, whether you like him or not, movie reviewer Chris Stuckman suggests that leery gamers should rent it due to the following:
Given that government bodies have stepped in to investigate practices that EA and DICE have worked up through Star wars Battlefront 2 — such as Democratic member of the Hawaii House of Representatives, Chris Lee — it does raise the question: What will happen to the future of video games especially if people keep defending practices like the ones exhibited by Electronic Arts?
