The controversy surrounding the loot box system in Star Wars Battlefront II ignited significant backlash from the gaming community. EA’s official response on Reddit set a record for the most downvoted comment in the platform’s history, marking a notable moment in gaming culture.
During the game’s testing phase, the loot box system became a focal point of criticism. Players were required to purchase random reward boxes using either virtual or real currency. These boxes contained characters, upgrades, and other items, but many powerful characters required extensive gameplay to unlock, leading to accusations of a “pay-to-win” model.
EA had implemented similar systems across several of its titles, including FIFA 18’s Ultimate Team mode and Mass Effect: Andromeda. The loot box mechanics in Battlefront II directly impacted game balance, sparking widespread player dissatisfaction due to perceived favoritism towards paying players.
In response to protests, EA adjusted the unlocking requirements, but the advantage paid players had over others remained a contentious issue. The debate continued until November 2017, just before the game’s official release, when Disney, owner of the Star Wars IP, intervened and demanded the removal of pay-to-win elements from the loot box system.
EA’s Reddit comment attempting to quell the uproar stated, “Our goal is for players to feel a sense of achievement and pride when unlocking each hero.” However, this message was met with strong resistance due to the disconnect between the statement and player experience, resulting in 667,562 downvotes—the highest in Reddit’s history.
Although EA reintroduced the loot box system in March 2018 without pay-to-win features, the incident severely damaged the company’s reputation. It remains a widely cited example in the industry and among players as a cautionary tale about microtransaction practices.
