'Battlefield V' will apparently be free of loot boxes

Surprise, surprise.

Despite speculation Battlefield V would include cosmetic-only loot boxes, meaning players could only score items that customised a character's look, the feature has reportedly been cut.

An EA spokesperson told Kotaku that there are "no loot boxes" in the game, set to release in October. It follows the well-publicised controversy over loot boxes which surrounded EA and developer DICE's last release, Star Wars Battlefront II, for months.

Typically, a loot box contains random items which would help players obtain new abilities and materials to create and improve their weapons. When the Star Wars Battlefront II beta landed in October, players complained about the game's frankly ridiculous loot box system.

The kicker, particularly in Battlefront II, was that getting one of these loot boxes would take hours of play, unless you were keen to open up your wallet to buy one with real money to speed up the process.

Not only were gamers outraged, but authorities took a stand on the practice, with the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) now labelling titles with the feature, and Belgium declaring that loot boxes in games like Battlefront II and Overwatch should be considered a form of gambling.

EA later updated Star Wars Battlefront II's progression to become "linear," meaning any item impacting the game can only be earned from gameplay, and wouldn't available for purchase.

That also is the case with Battlefield V, which no longer has a "premium pass" or season pass as was the case with Battlefield 1, with new maps and modes to be released for free as part of its "Tides of War" live service. Players can still buy cosmetic items with real money, however.

Still, it's a good step, and we wonder if EA is turning away from loot boxes, given the tide against them. Mashable has contacted EA for further comment.