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In my humble opinion


Gambling is creeping out of the casinos and making its way into the homes of unsuspecting families masquerading as video games.

Electronic Arts is accused of placing a gambling system called loot boxes into their game.

The player spends money to buy a mere chance at receiving good gear or upgrades for their character in game.

Loot boxes exist in other games, but EA’s Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is the worst perpetrator of this predatory business practice.

Battlefront 2 is facing legal battles in Belgium and the U.S.

Both countries are investigating the claims that these loot boxes can be considered gambling, but the verdict is unclear.

This is because Disney, owner of the Star Wars franchise, ordered EA to suspend the loot box system.

Disney has stated that they do not want any of their properties seen in a negative light.

It’s very common for loot boxes to feature only cosmetic changes, but Battlefront 2 makes loot boxes mandatory for character progression.

Instead of earning upgrades naturally through playing the game the player has to spend additional money to be able to compete on a level playing field.

This is money that’s being paid in addition to the $60 the player paid to play the game.

This practice is akin to paying a fee to enter a restaurant and having to pay an additional fee for the chance to eat what you wanted.

The developers have made it clear that they do not plan to remove or modify the system and that it will come back at a later date.

It’s important for companies to realize that this sort of practice is not welcome in video games.

The developers of the game aren’t at fault.

It’s EA that wants to bleed their customers to make an extra buck.

Disney can see that their franchise is being dragged through the mud.

The success of Battlefront 2 can lay the foundation of a world where companies can sell an incomplete product and charge the customers extra for the rest of the pieces.

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