Unpacking the Jaw-Dropping Price Drop on Star Wars Battlefront II
If you've been browsing PC game storefronts or checking out digital console deals lately, you might have blinked twice seeing Star Wars Battlefront II listed at a staggering 90% off. This isn't a typo; it's a reality that has many gamers wondering: "Why is Battlefront 2 90% off?" The answer is a combination of factors that often lead to such deep discounts in the gaming industry, and understanding them sheds light on the game's journey from a controversial launch to a beloved title.
From Controversy to Comeback: The Battlefront II Saga
To truly grasp the 90% off price point, we need to rewind to the game's initial release in November 2017. Developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts (EA), Star Wars Battlefront II was met with widespread backlash, primarily due to its aggressive and controversial "loot box" system. These in-game purchases, which could be bought with real money or earned through extensive gameplay, contained randomized elements that offered significant gameplay advantages, effectively creating a "pay-to-win" scenario. Players felt that progression was unfairly tied to luck or excessive spending, and the Star Wars universe, a beloved franchise, was being exploited for microtransactions.
The outcry was immense and vocal. Gaming news outlets, social media, and player forums were flooded with criticism. The controversy was so severe that it even caught the attention of lawmakers, leading to discussions about the regulation of loot boxes as a form of gambling. EA, facing significant backlash and a damaged reputation, was forced to respond.
EA's Sweeping Overhaul: A Second Life for Battlefront II
In a rare and significant move for a major publisher, EA listened to the community's feedback and committed to a complete overhaul of Battlefront II's progression and monetization systems. This wasn't a minor patch; it was a fundamental reimagining of the game's core mechanics.
- Removal of Loot Boxes for Gameplay Advantages: The most impactful change was the complete removal of loot boxes that offered gameplay advantages. All star cards, which provided character abilities and stat boosts, became earnable through gameplay alone, or through cosmetic crates.
- Earned Currency for Unlocks: Players now earned in-game currency (Credits) by playing matches, completing challenges, and achieving objectives. This currency could then be used to unlock specific star cards, character upgrades, and new abilities, giving players control over their progression.
- Cosmetic-Only Microtransactions: The focus shifted entirely to cosmetic items. Players could purchase skins for their favorite heroes and villains, emotes, and victory poses with real money, ensuring that no player had a gameplay advantage over another.
- Extensive Free Content Updates: Beyond the core gameplay changes, DICE continued to support Battlefront II with a massive amount of free content for years after its launch. This included new maps, game modes, heroes, villains, vehicles, and planets from across the Star Wars saga. Notable additions included content from "The Last Jedi," "Solo: A Star Wars Story," and "The Rise of Skywalker," as well as original trilogy favorites.
This dedicated post-launch support and complete rework transformed Battlefront II from a widely criticized title into a game that many players now consider to be one of the best Star Wars multiplayer experiences available. The community, which was once largely alienated, gradually returned and grew, appreciating the developer's commitment to fixing the game's initial flaws.
Why the 90% Off Now?
So, why the 90% discount so many years after these crucial changes were implemented? There are several reasons, often working in tandem:
- End of Support: The most significant reason is that EA officially ended all development and content updates for Star Wars Battlefront II in April 2020. With no new content being created, the game's lifecycle as a live service has concluded. Publishers often heavily discount games when their active development period is over, encouraging new players to experience the full offering before the community begins to dwindle further.
- Clearing Inventory: For digital storefronts and for EA, these deep discounts are a way to clear out their digital inventory of the game. While there are no physical copies to "clear," it's a common practice to make older titles extremely affordable to maximize sales numbers in their twilight years.
- Attracting New Players: The deep discount acts as a powerful incentive for new players to jump into the game. It removes the financial barrier to entry and allows players who may have been hesitant due to the initial controversy, or simply missed out on the game, to experience it at a fraction of its original price. This also helps to maintain a healthy player base for the remaining active multiplayer servers.
- "Grease the Wheels" for Future Titles: While not explicitly stated, offering such a massive discount on a popular Star Wars title can also serve as a goodwill gesture. It allows a new wave of players to enjoy a high-quality Star Wars game, potentially fostering positive sentiment towards EA and the Star Wars gaming brand, which could benefit future Star Wars titles from EA or other developers.
- Sales Events: Often, these 90% off sales coincide with major digital sales events on platforms like Steam, PlayStation Store, or Xbox Games Store (e.g., Steam Summer Sale, Black Friday, holiday sales). Publishers participate in these events to drive sales across their catalog, and Battlefront II, being an older title, is an easy candidate for such extreme price cuts to stand out.
In essence, the 90% off sale on Star Wars Battlefront II is a testament to the game's redemption arc. It's a chance for gamers to pick up a feature-rich, content-packed Star Wars shooter for the price of a cup of coffee, finally experiencing the game that DICE and EA worked so hard to fix after its rocky beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How did Battlefront 2 become so controversial at launch?
A: Battlefront 2 was controversial at launch due to its aggressive implementation of "loot boxes" that contained gameplay-affecting items, leading to a "pay-to-win" concern where players could gain advantages by spending real money or grinding extensively for random rewards.
Q2: What major changes did EA make to Battlefront 2?
A: EA removed gameplay-affecting loot boxes, shifted to cosmetic-only microtransactions, revamped the progression system to be earnable through gameplay, and continued to provide a significant amount of free post-launch content updates for years.
Q3: Why is the game still heavily discounted now, years later?
A: The game is heavily discounted primarily because its development and content updates have officially ended, and publishers often deeply discount older titles to clear inventory, attract new players, and maintain a player base for remaining multiplayer servers.
Q4: Is Battlefront 2 still worth playing with the 90% discount?
A: Absolutely. After extensive overhauls and years of free content additions, Battlefront 2 is now considered a fantastic Star Wars multiplayer experience, offering a vast amount of content for a very low price. The community, while smaller, is still active enough to enjoy matches.
