The episode we all knew was coming. The Jimquisition at last smashes into the “It’s Just Cosmetic” argument with a bulldozer. Many will defend certain types of microtransaction and loot box by claiming if they sell only cosmetic DLC, it’s fine. Cosmetics “don’t affect gameplay” and therefore anything goes. This…
We can take this as an admission that Battlefront II held back its rewards to make microtransactions more enticing.
The industry’s addiction to loot boxes mirrors that of the “whales” they’re so ready to exploit. It’s now spread to Paladins, which has updated to share eerie similarities with Battlefront II. Because doing that right now was a clever idea. __ PC Gamer article: http://www.pcgamer.com/paladins-players-angry-over-new-loot-box-based-progression-system/
Electronic Arts apparently wants to keep me in work through the rest of the year. Here we are with EA Sports UFC 3 which, according to the beta reports, is revolving around microtransactions to an absurd degree. __ More info here: https://www.astutegaming.com/single-post/EASPORTSUFC3BETA
MUJO launched for Nintendo Switch, and despite being a mobile free-to-play game, Oink Games decided to charge ten bucks and STILL keep all the free-to-play microtransactions. A good reminder of just how scummy a lot of mobile developers can be, and have been for a long time.
Forbes article for reference: https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2017/11/28/the-national-committee-for-games-policy-was-created-by-a-troll/ The story of the so-called NCGP gets stranger and stranger. There’s evidence it’s a pointlessly elaborate troll *and* evidence it’s somewhat legit, if misguided. I am now mesmerized by this whole charade.
Destiny 2 contained a hidden XP scaling that actively lied about the amount of experience end game users were getting. It’s now fixed, but that doesn’t erase the fact Activision Blizzard was content with it remaining until it got caught.
This is a walkback, not a U-turn, a temporary retreat, not a defeat. Also, EA really did spill the beans to its investors, huh?
A minor victory as EA runs scared following a major backlash, a disastrous Reddit AMA, and interest from various gambling commissions. But remember… in this world of constantly connected games, the goalposts are always moving, and EA’s show of remorse is but temporary.
This is so much more than a bad mobile game in premium skin. It’s also buggy, unfinished, and mediocre “AAA” garbage to boot! __
The sad sorry saga of Star Wars Battlefront II is constantly shifting and rarely getting better. Here’s a “what’s gone down so far” video. With plenty of angry rambling from myself, of course.
This is the year loot boxes came to gaming in a big way. Encouraged by Overwatch, “AAA” publishers went all-in on destroying their games in the name of easy money. And no, Blizzard, you’re not special. You deserve as much blame as EA, Activision, Ubisoft, 2K Games, WB, and Microsoft….
