'Star Wars Battlefront II' updates loot box system after months of criticism

Star Wars Battlefront II is finally getting a new progression system after its loot box system caused a massive outcry from fans and critics in late 2017.

EA announced a new linear progression for Star Wars Battlefront II Friday, which means that instead of accruing loot boxes (a.k.a. crates) through gameplay and unlocking random upgrades, players will gain level and be able to choose specific upgrades (a.k.a. Star Cards) for specific classes, heroes, and ships by playing as them. Players will no longer be able to purchase upgrades with real money.

"With this update, progression is now linear," EA said in a blog post. "Star Cards, or any other item impacting gameplay, will only be earned through gameplay and will not be available for purchase. Instead, you’ll earn experience points for the classes, hero characters, and ships that you choose to play in multiplayer. If you earn enough experience points to gain a level for that unit, you'll receive one Skill Point that can be used to unlock or upgrade the eligible Star Card you'd like to equip."

If you have purchased crates or earned upgrades through them, you get to keep everything you already have. This change will only effect progression starting when the change is implemented. EA did not specify when the progression change will be coming to Battlefront II.

Crates aren't going away completely, though. Players can earn crates by playing and completing challenges and milestones, and crates now only contain cosmetic items and credits that can be spent on cosmetic items. Players will no longer be able to buy crates with real money.

EA received a lot of heat for its convoluted progression system in Star Wars Battlefront II, which gave people who purchased crates with a real money a noticeable advantage over players who didn't buy those upgrade-containing crates. It even sparked a larger discussion about the connection between loot boxes and gambling in gaming, putting loot boxes in the spotlight for a few months at the end of 2017.

It appears that EA is finally facing those criticisms head-on and listening to players' complaints with this update, albeit five months later.

EA also teased new cosmetic items and new modes coming to Star Wars Battlefront II, although with no dates specified.