I 100% agree with you folks! (also, fix the US Gamer link plz) I'm not going to be buying this game anytime soon, though it's mostly to do with not having a compatible system. But yeah, EA's exploitative progression system went WAY too far with Battlefront II, and I've been liking and sharing videos condemning it for weeks now. I, for one, don't think premium-priced games should include real-money loot-boxes at all. They're a glorified gambling mechanic that takes advantage of the addictive tendencies of certain types of people, even if the rewards are cosmetic. Like DICE said, however, they can be a fun way to build up excitement for rewards IF AND ONLY IF real money is taken out of the equation.
The only microtransactions I'm willing to tolerate at this point is if they're directly purchasable and strictly cosmetic. Making them obtainable via gameplay would be enough to convince me that EA has learned its lesson this time around. Alas, it's extremely difficult to trust game publishers these days, what with the thoroughly despicable lows they sink to. I still remember hearing about how Activision sneaked in microtransactions into Modern Warfare Remastered long after it had launched, and THEN sneaked in Pay-to-Win microtransactions after that! Honestly, I think everyone playing Battlefront II will have to be constantly vigilant about every update EA rolls out because this Games-as-Service model allows them to screw players over whenever they want. It's a damn shame just how predatory these companies have become.
In the end, it's up to you regarding whether or not you're willing to give Battlefront II a chance now. I couldn't even if I wanted to, and I most definitely don't want to. If you are willing to give it a shot, however, do not stop raising your voice, and do not cave into the apologists who will doubtlessly try to make excuses for EA's deplorable practices. They don't deserve our trust or our respect at this point. It's about time they learned of our power the hard way.
