The waiting game
We’ve known that paid microtransactions would one day return to Star Wars Battlefront II.
EA said as much back in November, noting that “the ability to purchase crystals in-game will become available at a later date, only after we’ve made changes to the game.” More recently, we learned DICE is “preparing significant changes to progression” and plans to share tangible details in March.
Today, EA CFO Blake Jorgensen said Battlefront II‘s new monetization scheme will appear “in the next few months,” as reported by the Wall Street Journal. “We’ll do it when we think it’s ready.”
Sales of Battlefront II came in lower than expected (and lower than its predecessor), with 7 million units sold during the fiscal quarter (October through December) versus EA’s projection of 8 million units.
Not that this will come as any surprise now, but the game’s widely-criticized approach to loot boxes and the surrounding controversy were highlighted as a big factor for the sales discrepancy.
I’m curious to hear the particulars of the new progression system but I can’t say I’m hopeful.
@saraheneedleman [Twitter]Q3 FY18 Prepared Remarks [EA]