In a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Microtransactions cause EA to come under fire
Star Wars Battlefront II was Electronic Arts’ (EA) and Star Wars’ sequel to Star Wars Battlefront. Though the first game got mixed reviews, Star Wars Battlefront II seemed like it was a strong sequel.
This changed when players with early access pointed out that, to play as main characters like Darth Vader or Luke Skywalker, at least 40 hours of multiplayer were a prerequisite. The characters could also be bought through credits, which are the in-game money in the game that can be acquired either in-game or with actual money- a microtransaction.
The reaction to EA’s choice was quite a lot of anger and disgust in its fanbase. Even when the deluxe $79.99 version of the game was bought, Darth Vader was not playable.
The reaction only worsened when the EA community team’s account responded on the social media site Reddit by saying that unlocking the characters would give players a sense of accomplishment. This comment became the most downvoted, or disliked, comment on Reddit in history, with a total of -673,000 points.
Battlefront II is a symptom of a greater problem in gaming: microtransactions. Microtransactions are often seen in apps on phones. Candy Crush, for example, requires players to purchase sets of levels; or if a player runs out of lives, they can simply buy more. Both of these transactions are made with real money from the player. They can become very addictive because they will often pop up at a time when the player wants them the most, like when they are close to beating a level or if they want to continue playing the game.
These microtransactions are becoming increasingly common in video games, causing people to rack up thousands of dollars in expenditures. They give those who are willing to spend an unequal and sometimes frustrating advantage in competitive games.
The Battlefront II microtransactions, and the players’ reaction to them, led to a huge loss in stock for EA, with a total of $3 billion in stock value wiped out for the game. EA responded with pulling the microtransactions from the game before it was released on Nov. 17, 2017.
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What is your position on the Bagpipe:
Staffer
What is your go-to snack:
Chips
What is your favorite tv show to binge watch:
The Crown
What are you most excited to get out of Bagpipe this year:
I'm excited about becoming a better writer and getting better at understanding the style of journalistic writing.
In what are you involved at HP:
I am in choir and music theory
What is your dream job:
Reporter
What is your favorite song or style of music:
Classic Rock
What is a fun fact about yourself that not everyone knows:
I rock climb
Where is the coolest place you have visited:
Countryside of England
What is one skill at which you were better:
Singing or public speaking
What is your ideal pet:
Either a basset hound or a dachshund
What is your favorite class this year:
English IIIAP-TAG
Where do you want to go to college:
SMU
What is your favorite news source:
Reuters
What is the best piece of advice you have received so far:
Winter is coming
If you could attend any major event, which would you choose:
A David Bowie concert
