Star Wars Battlefront 2's Controversial Loot Crates Get Tweaked

Star Wars Battlefront 2 is one of a few games that have been at the center of controversy regarding loot crates. And it seems that in response to those criticisms, EA and DICE have made some changes.

During last month's open beta, Battlefront 2 drew criticism for the ways it seemed to reward players that would be willing to spend more money for a shot at better gear and skills. In response, EA and DICE put out statements to allay those fears, but not everyone was satisfied.

Now the official page for Battlefront 2 has posted that changes have been made to these systems, declaring that DICE and EA were happy to incorporate feedback from the beta. In a nutshell, crate purchases will not grant the kind of immediate rewards many feared, with grinding and milestones capping the potential power you can unlock.

Here're the bullet points, taken straight from the post:

• 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.

While it remains to be seen, how these changes will diminish the impact of big spending on the game's balance and progression, this is a surprising and welcome turn in the development of Battlefront 2 and reflects at least a more receptive disposition from EA and DICE than we expected. 

Star Wars Battlefront 2 launches on November 17, 2017 on PlayStation 4, PC and Xbox One.