Sometimes, the features a game doesn't have are just as important as what it does have. Electronic Arts announced that Star Wars: Squadrons will not contain microtransactions, which comes as a big relief for gamers and their pocketbooks.
EA said that not only will the space dogfighting game set in a galaxy far far away avoid using the often-criticized game mechanic, but there will be great features gamers crave. Virtual reality support, in particular, will make the Star Wars: Squadrons experience especially immersive.
There will be a single-player campaign for those who would rather pilot their starfighters alone, though the multiplayer experience will allow players to join together as one fleet under the banner of the New Republic or the Empire. Cross-play will allow players to get together with up to nine friends (5v5) no matter what version of the game they got. They'll also be able to customize their ships with both cosmetic and gameplay-altering equipment. EA says these will be available through gameplay, not through a store.
The fact that EA is stepping back from microtransactions is perhaps a little surprising, but encouraging. There are many titles that have been announced recently pointing out a lack of microtransactions, which comes as a relief for many gamers. With loot boxes, it's very easy to pay far more for a game than it's worth without even realizing it. Some players have spent as much as $62,000 on in-game content.
Microtransactions, like loot boxes, have gained popularity with major developers over recent years, and are not restricted to mobile games. Companies like Blizzard earn record profits from them, and surveys show that 90% of MMO players spend money on them.
Gamers have been pushing back for years against the practice, comparing microtransactions to gambling and citing incidents where children unknowingly pay for content with their parents' credit cards. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) even added an element to their labels warning potential buyers that a game contains in-game purchases.
EA will be releasing gameplay footage of Star Wars: Squadrons at EA Play 2020 on June 18.
Star Wars: Squadrons is scheduled to release on October 2, for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.