The Star Wars Battlefront 2 beta is currently taking place, allowing fans of the sci-fi series a chance to get to grips with the game's multiplayer gameplay. But the beta test is also giving players a chance to take a look at the loot system and some say that they do not like what they see.

Players have known for some time that Star Wars Battlefront 2 will have loot boxes which can be purchased with micro-transactions, but some of these unlocks can have a direct impact on gameplay. The unlockable Star Cards can provide a buff to specific classes of Star Wars Heroes and Villains, such as Darth Vader.

These cards have four different tiers and at each tier, the buff gets better. For example, the TIE Fighter's primary fire can be increased by up to 10% depending on the tier. Meanwhile, bounty hunter Boba Fett can become 100% immune to damage when using an ability called Rocket Barrage.

It should be noted that these loot boxes are not only unlocked by paying cold hard cash as players can also earn the currency to unlock them through normal play. But players who do shell out real money on micro-transactions will get to these upgrades quicker and so have a clear advantage over those who don't. It's why Star Wars Battlefront 2 has earned a 'pay to win' label.

Moreover, there are concerns about how players can earn those unlocks within the game. It doesn't seem that actual performance has an impact on how much players can earn and that all players earn a flat rate, even if they perform better than their teammates. While some are disappointed that their effort and skill isn't being properly rewarded, some also argue that there is no incentive for players to work well together, either.

Star Wars Battlefront 2 is not the only game to be slammed over the way its loot boxes work, with Middle-earth: Shadow of War and Forza Motorsport 7 also seeing backlash as a result of their business models. But these games avoided some fan fury because they were not pay to win and their paid-for unlockables do not give players an edge – at least, not over other players.

At this point it's unclear whether publisher EA or developer DICE plan to make any changes as a result of the controversy. Micro-transactions and loot boxes can be incredibly lucrative, which is why they are so prevalent, and the two companies may feel that the opportunity to make bank far outweighs the concerns being voiced by fans.

Star Wars Battlefront 2 is set to launch on November 17, 2017 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.