Electronic Arts is taking a leaf from Blizzard’s playbook and is introducing loot crates for the upcoming Star Wars Battlefront 2. However, these don’t contain cosmetic items. Instead, BF2 loot crates contain new abilities for players using the Star Card system.
YouTuber BattlefrontUpdates provided a sneak peek into the upcoming loot crates, showing off how they will be presented to players; and what kinds of loot they will drop. The idea is relatively simple for those familiar with what Overwatch has been doing. Players can earn and open the crates either by logging in daily or buying them;although EA has not shared whether BF2 will be selling the crates for real money.
Loot comes in five rarity levels: common, uncommon, rare, epic, and legendary. Needless to say, the rarer the drop, the better it is for the player.
These drops can do things like introduce new powers for players. For example, the Stealth card cloaks the player from radar and offers increased melee damage; or the Assault which gains increased HP for each kill. The cards can also be upgraded in rarity using a currency known as Spare Parts.
It’s not surprising that BF2 is going down this route of offering random drops for its upgrade system. Overwatch has earn Blizzard millions. However, the fact that the random drops offer game changing stat boosts and abilities may turn some players off. Especially if the boosts are enough to swing the tide of battle in favour of those who simply have the money to spend on day one.
Then there is the problem that BF2 is a full priced game that still manages to lock some content behind a randomised loot system. Not to mention that unlike Blizzard, EA is charging players for future content like maps and characters.
