Battlefront won't have microtransactions, says DICE dev. Yay, more Battlefront news...

[Bouzoo]

 

Good news for those that are gonna buy the game (or bad, depending on where you stand). Yes it's getting kind of annoying with all Battlefront topics, but I think this one is kind of important. And deep down you all knew it was gonna end this way.

 

GameSpot went to an interview in DICE's Stockholm studio, and one member of the Battlefront team, design director Niklas Fegraeus, finally addressed the microtransactions, and as it turned out, they were never a plan of the core design (of course he is gonna say that, be it true or not).

GameSpot: Just a point of clarification, I'm not sure whether there is microtransactions in Star Wars Battlefront. Could you explain?

FEGRAEUS: Well the currency system is based on your game performance. The credits that you use to buy things in the game are earned. You play the game, complete challenges, and that's how you get credits.

 

So, is that the only way you can obtain credits? By earning them by performance?

Yes, that's what's in the game. Absolutely.

 

Ah, the reason I asked is because Battlefront has a two-step currency system, which is usually a telltale sign of paving the way for microtransactions to be introduced. But it sounds like, from what you are saying, that you are moving away from that?

Yeah, that's not part of the core design of how it works. This is a progression system based on your gameplay performance.

---

Elsewhere in the interview, Fegraeus emphasised how player performance would be the only way to earn credits.

"There are several [credit] systems working together here. Just doing things in the game earns you points, and those [points] earn you credits. That's the baseline system; the more you do, the more credits you get," he said.

"But then there are other systems, such as small challenges for you to complete, and rewards for different actions.

"If you're really competitive, the coolest things you can get is star cards to best suit your play style. If you really like to snipe, for example, you should totally go for the blaster cannon. Or if you're looking for something cool in terms of expressing yourself, then I would say if you gather a lot of credits, you can buy some expensive in-game items, such as being able to play as an alien race. You can be a Rodian while everyone else is human."

 

As most people here, I am definitely happy for this decision, and I don't care if they removed it at one point or if it was never intended to be in the game, it's not there.

Now the most important thing that's left is for them to address the DLC system. Is it gonna be free, or are they gonna just pump them out every few months. 

 

Source

[Majestic]

And once again we praise companies for NOT doing the nefarious thing they implemented in the first place.

[Misanthrope]

Well...

[LegacyStijncat]

Dice is the only thing that can save EA's ass and they bloody know it. Battlefield, Mirror's Edge and Battlefront are in their hands. And I hope they are in good ones.

[Nena Trinity]

I guess some micro stuff is fine such as skins but guns and maps is a deal breaker for me!

[BarisERY]

I dont understand the hype around this game the beta wasnt that great.

[soaringchicken]

I dont understand the hype around this game the beta wasnt that great.

it's star wars

[Exotath]

So instead they will release quarterly "expansions" and charge retail for them?

[AresKrieger]

I dont understand the hype around this game the beta wasnt that great.

 

it's star wars

Not only is it star wars many people had high hopes due to battlefront 2 being so fun back in the day, unfortunately it doesn't seem like the same charm made it in EA's version but who knows this is a demo with most features locked it still has a chance but currently I'm not in favor of it

 

So instead they will release quarterly "expansions" and charge retail for them?

That sounds more like the EA we love to hate

[Nielips]

Think I'm gonna give Call of Battlefront let down of duty a miss.

[NAP51DMustang]

Well...

snip

THey've (EA) have also stated the same for NFS Underground 3 (or w/e the new one is called) so could be true.

[Beskamir]

Bullshit! It looks designed specifically with microtranscations in mind. Hopefully I'm proven wrong though.

[MorsVitae]

NOW INTRODUCING. ....... MACRO TRANSACTIONS

[shermantanker]

I guess some micro stuff is fine such as skins but guns and maps is a deal breaker for me!

 

If they are releasing new maps/guns 3-12 months after release, and they want to charge people for them when these things cost them millions to make. What is so wrong with that?

[Nena Trinity]

If they are releasing new maps/guns 3-12 months after release, and they want to charge people for them when these things cost them millions to make. What is so wrong with that?

DLC guns are often over-powered if they are just gun "skins" then its fine cause its not better than any gun the players who do not pay get!

[Dabombinable]

Not part of how the "core" game works. Kind of like how it wasn't a necessary part of Dungeon Keeper Mobile if you wanted to do anything......

[Master Disaster]

Just played it and it was pretty awful. It feels really clunky and there is really bad input lag plus I'm fairly certain I already encountered a hacker.
 
I never intended to buy this game anyway, no SP campaign was enough for me to miss it but now I've played it I won't even bother getting it in a few years time for £10 either.
 
Its designed to be a throwaway gimmick, nothing more than that.
 

THey've (EA) have also stated the same for NFS Underground 3 (or w/e the new one is called) so could be true.

Yeah but to be fair, they're selling the new NFS for £49.99 for the standard edition so they don't really need to add micro transactions.

[Bouzoo]

Yeah but to be fair, they're selling the new NFS for £49.99 for the standard edition so they don't really need to add micro transactions.

 

MGSV is sold for €60 and MKX is €50 at the time of writing this and they both have them out for some time. Pre-order of Battlefront standard edition is €60 so I don't see a relevance here. They don't "really need" to add them anywhere.  

[Curufinwe_wins]

Btw... The pre-order benefits take about 5-10 games to make up for. So don't worry guys.

[Dabombinable]

Btw... The pre-order benefits take about 5-10 games to make up for. So don't worry guys.

Just feel sorry for those who bought the pre order because they have a pathological hatred for their money.

[Trik'Stari]

I've played the Beta, here are my thoughts:

 

They need an assload more maps (we don't get to play all of them on the beta, just two of them, but still, from what they've shown.....nowhere NEAR enough for a game without a campaign)

They SERIOUSLY need to increase the amount of zoom on the sniper rifle. After all, we are talking about a space faring civilization.

The vehicle controls suck, as does the zoom.

Why do I have a "card" for "ion charge" for my blaster, but I have to find charges for it? The fuck?

They better have a metric fuck-ton more weapons than what we've seen.

 

All in all: A good foundation, but it needs a helluvalot more content. Based purely on what I have seen. Also, I would hope they do some CQC maps.

[Dabombinable]

I've played the Beta, here are my thoughts:

 

They need an assload more maps (we don't get to play all of them on the beta, just two of them, but still, from what they've shown.....nowhere NEAR enough for a game without a campaign)

They SERIOUSLY need to increase the amount of zoom on the sniper rifle. After all, we are talking about a space faring civilization.

The vehicle controls suck, as does the zoom.

Why do I have a "card" for "ion charge" for my blaster, but I have to find charges for it? The fuck?

They better have a metric fuck-ton more weapons than what we've seen.

 

All in all: A good foundation, but it needs a helluvalot more content. Based purely on what I have seen. Also, I would hope they do some CQC maps.

Think DLC........you know that Expectorating Assholes wants all the money not just some of it.

[pixeldensity]

So EA doesn't do something that is bad but people still hating on them. Wow, EA cannot win.

[Curufinwe_wins]

I've played the Beta, here are my thoughts:

 

1. They need an assload more maps (we don't get to play all of them on the beta, just two of them, but still, from what they've shown.....nowhere NEAR enough for a game without a campaign)

2. They SERIOUSLY need to increase the amount of zoom on the sniper rifle. After all, we are talking about a space faring civilization.

3. The vehicle controls suck, as does the zoom.

4. Why do I have a "card" for "ion charge" for my blaster, but I have to find charges for it? The fuck?

5. They better have a metric fuck-ton more weapons than what we've seen.

 

All in all: A good foundation, but it needs a helluvalot more content. Based purely on what I have seen. Also, I would hope they do some CQC maps.

Now just to comment on your comments with my two cents, I added numbers.

 

1. Indeed, way more maps would be a big boon (and the server selection is a bit too opaque for me.)

 

2. NO NO NO NO NO. They NEED to implement a max range on these weapons (let the laser fizzle out or something) because as it is sniping (with any weapon) across the map is WAY WAY too easy and need nerfing. (but that's my opinion)

 

3. Vehicle controls are stiff for once which I like (except that I wish it was position based for turn instead of movement based for turn with a mouse because long turns are a pain with a mouse. I haven't tried rebinding them with a keyboard, it probably would be less of a pain).

 

4.Yea that's stupid as fuck, and on the topic of cards... The thermal detonator cool-down should either be much longer or charge based after the first use (so you grab a power up to reactivate it), because the current rate is way too high. (These things are supposed to be rare...)

 

5. Again without weapon range being a factor, you really don't need new weapons because any weapon can shoot people from far away (yes I know aiming is a little bit harder, and you can't really automatic with a pistol because then your accuracy goes to shit, but still... Infinite range is OP. On that subject, turret zoom needs to be much greater.)

 

I also enjoy the game but my single biggest critique is how much I am missing a real SP mode.

[Trik'Stari]

Now just to comment on your comments with my two cents, I added numbers.

 

1. Indeed, way more maps would be a big boon (and the server selection is a bit too opaque for me.)

 

2. NO NO NO NO NO. They NEED to implement a max range on these weapons (let the laser fizzle out or something) because as it is sniping (with any weapon) across the map is WAY WAY too easy and need nerfing. (but that's my opinion)

 

3. Vehicle controls are stiff for once which I like (except that I wish it was position based for turn instead of movement based for turn with a mouse because long turns are a pain with a mouse. I haven't tried rebinding them with a keyboard, it probably would be less of a pain).

 

4.Yea that's stupid as fuck, and on the topic of cards... The thermal detonator cool-down should either be much longer or charge based after the first use (so you grab a power up to reactivate it), because the current rate is way too high. (These things are supposed to be rare...)

 

5. Again without weapon range being a factor, you really don't need new weapons because any weapon can shoot people from far away (yes I know aiming is a little bit harder, and you can't really automatic with a pistol because then your accuracy goes to shit, but still... Infinite range is OP. On that subject, turret zoom needs to be much greater.)

 

I also enjoy the game but my single biggest critique is how much I am missing a real SP mode.

1. I agree. And they also need to allow people to choose factions. I'm no rebel scum.

2. Possibly. Or reduced damage over range.. You know, the way that EVERY GUN EVER actually works in the real world.

3. I was more referring to the lack of control. From what I experienced, you can't control the speed of your fighter. It's even less than the fighter combat in SWTOR, which was already ridiculously terrible (not surprisingly, that was made by EA as well)

4. I agree. Grenades should be a pickup, ion shot should be a recharge thing. Having it the other way around makes no sense.

5. I disagree. I would use Battlefield Bad Company 2 as an example. There are a number of weapons in that game, and each, in the same class, "handle" differently. Some have a higher rate of fire, some do more damage, some have less recoil, all the weapons, within the same class, have a variation on this theme. Meaning there are a significant number of weapons to choose from, which allows the user to pick whichever weapon they are the most comfortable with. An example would be myself, I am perfectly capable of "sniping" with the MG-3 (the modern day equivalent of the MG-42). And yet I know people who can barely hit someone with it at point blank range. Variations on rate of fire, recoil, and power, offer variety. And not just in sound (as is the reality with Battlefield 3 and 4. Which is a major reason that I hate those games. All the weapons are the same, they just sound slightly different.)

 

To put it bluntly, the handling of your primary weapon, completely effects your experience in multiplayer.