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'Battlefront II' will finally make in-game progression fair next week
Electronic Arts' long, awkward nightmare over Star Wars Battlefront II's multiplayer progression might finally be over. With next week's patch, dubbed the "Progression" update, EA promises that Star Cards (power-ups) or any other item that impact gameplay will only be earned through gameplay from here on out -- not via paid loot crates. Previously, EA had adjusted and removed some of the pay-to-win aspects, saying that eventually real-money transactions would return.
‘Star Wars Battlefront II’ turns the Empire into an unlikely protagonist
Star Wars: Battlefront did a lot of things right, but it was criticized for not having a lot of depth, primarily due to the utter lack of a story-driven single-player campaign. That's a shame, because the Star Wars universe is rich enough that fans are genuinely interested in stories that go far beyond what's presented in the main film series. Fortunately, Star Wars: Battlefront II, EA developer Motive was tasked with making a compelling story mode. Having completed a 90-minute playthrough of the game's prologue and first two chapters, it's safe to say that Battlefront II should have something to lure Star Wars fans who aren't necessarily interested in multiplayer adventures.
What EA learned from 'Mass Effect' will shape its future
When I spoke to Electronic Arts Executive Vice President Patrick Soderlund last week, Kotaku's report about why Mass Effect: Andromeda turned out so poorly hadn't been published yet. Nonetheless, when I asked him about the flawed game's development cycle, he was incredibly candid -- just as he had been in 2013 when I'd interviewed him about his company's move from myriad game-design toolkits to just two. Here are his thoughts on several key topics.
'Star Wars Battlefront II' trailer leaks out a few days early
EA promised to reveal a trailer for its Star Wars Battlefront sequel on April 15th during the Star Wars Celebration event, but it appears to have popped up online a bit early. The 30-second teaser clip shows "game engine footage," with hints at what we can expect from both its single- and multiplayer experience. It appears that the story mode will have players taking on the role of a young woman fighting on the side of the Empire in a post-Return of the Jedi storyline attempting to "avenge your emperor."
'Star Wars: Battlefront 2' will have a proper story mode
When Star Wars Battlefront launched, it was hard not to be disappointed. The promise of a shiny next-gen Star Wars game made by Battlefront developer DICE was a tantalizing proposition, but unfortunately the reality was a multiplayer-only game that felt frustratingly half-baked. It seems as though EA has learned its lesson, announcing during yesterday's earnings call (PDF transcript) that Battlefront 2 will launch this holiday with a full single-player campaign.
Play 'Star Wars Battlefront' on PSVR December 6th
Electronic Arts teased out its Star Wars Battlefront VR experience way back in March, and now we know when it's actually exiting hyperspace. Come December 6th, you'll be able to strap on your PlayStation VR headset, jump into a virtual X-Wing cockpit and hopefully destroy the Death Star. Remember, this will be a free download for anyone who owns Battlefront. And because today marks the game's first birthday, EA has seen fit to drop a glut of details about the latest, and final, map pack, Rogue One: Scarif -- also out on December 6th. As the name suggests, it brings in a quartet of maps from the upcoming movie, two new heroes (Jyn Erso and Orson Krennic) and a new "multi-stage game mode with space and ground combat." Sounds just a bit like the Battle Station mode from the recent Death Star pack, if you ask me. Speaking of which, starting today and running through the 20th, you can play the previously released Bespin, Death Star and Outer Rim packs for free, and earn four times the experience you usually would. That is, if you can pull yourself away from the free Overwatch weekend taking place starting tomorrow, too. Decisions, decisions.
'Star Wars: Battlefront' add-on will tie into 'Rogue One'
EA and DICE are determined to wrap up Star Wars: Battlefront's year of add-ons with a bang. The developers have used Star Wars Celebration to reveal that the fourth DLC pack will revolve around the Rogue One storyline. Rogue One: Scarif will let you play as rebel Jyn Erso or her Imperial nemesis, Director Krennic, as you fight for the original Death Star's plans on the planet Scarif. While you're not getting a look at actual gameplay just yet, EA vows that the add-on will be available in time for the movie's mid-December debut. Season Pass holders will get to play two weeks early.
Fight offline with friends in new 'Star Wars Battlefront' mode
With the Battlefield 1 closed alpha raging on and the full game launching in October you might think that developer DICE is forgetting about its other shooter, Star Wars Battlefront. That's not the case. Come July 20th, the game will have a new offline gametype dubbed "Skirmish." A post on the EA Star Wars site says that Skirmish is playable against bots, either solo or with a co-op partner in Walker Assault and Fighter Squadron modes. The free update is welcome, of course, but I'm not sure how many people still playing this are jonesing for a new AI-based bot mode. Or if they've abandoned the game, if this could win them back. This is a problem of publisher Electronic Arts' own making, though.
The 'Burnout' successor from Criterion Games is no more
Electronic Arts' E3 keynote last week featured an awful lot of soccer (football to the rest of the world), Battlefield and Titanfall, but no word on how developer Criterion's post-Burnout racing game was coming. That's because the team is occupying different pastures, according to GameSpot. An EA spokesperson tells the publication that the studio has "moved on from the previous project they've spoken about and aren't pursuing it." It was teased at E3 2014 during the company's media briefing and never heard about since.
'Battlefield 1' learned a lot from 'Star Wars: Battlefront'
When Electronic Arts and DICE released Star Wars: Battlefront last fall, fans complained that it was far too simple, a shell of a game. The reaction was justified, but as shallow as the game was, it wasn't without merit. A lot of what Battlefront got right (a massive sense of scale, easier to control aircraft and monstrous mechanical instruments of war) has made its way into Battlefield 1. The latter series has always prided itself on being a thinking-person's shooter. But recent releases have become bloated, with a diminished focus on what made the franchise great in the first place. In particular, these recent installments have tended to emphasize spectacle over strategic gunfights, with each player serving a distinct role in combat. Some of Battlefront's simplicity made its way into DICE's version of World War I, but based on what I played at E3, that isn't a detriment -- it's an asset.
'Star Wars: Battlefront' gets Lando and Cloud City on June 21st
You won't have to wait too much longer to fill the Cloud City-sized hole in Star Wars: Battlefront's content. EA has revealed that the promised Bespin DLC will arrive on June 21st for Season Pass holders, and two weeks later (July 5th) for everyone else. As before, the highlights of the paid add-on are the introduction of Lando Calrissian and Cloud City -- you're getting everyone's favorite administrator-turned-general as well as a much-needed change of scenery.
'Star Wars: Battlefront' lacks a story mode thanks to some movie
When Star Wars: Battlefront launched, barring a lightweight solo play arcade mode, it didn't have a true single-player campaign. During publisher EA's recent earnings call, executive VP Patrick Söderlund explained that it "was a conscious decision we made due to time and being able to launch the game side-by-side with the movie that came out to get the strongest possible impact." Star Wars movies are a big deal, in case you didn't know.
'Star Wars: Battlefront' gets Lando Calrissian in Bespin DLC
DICE just can't stop making wonderful downloadable content for Star Wars: Battlefront. And although we already knew the game was getting new goodies this summer, the developer has now shared more details about the Bespin DLC. Most notably, beloved character Lando Calrissian is being added into the mix along with Dengar, the ruthless bounty hunter from The Clone Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. Both arrive in June.
What's on your HDTV: 'Day of the Tentacle,' March Madness
This week Double Fine is releasing Day of the Tentacle Remastered, on PS4 and PC (OS X / Mac version arrives tomorrow), complete with updated art and new developer commentary. Beyond watching your brackets get torn to shreds, there's also the last Hunger Games movie on Blu-ray, and the series finale of Lost Girl. Star Wars Battlefront players also have DLC to look forward to, and a new season of Stitchers gets started this week. Finally, tonight a The Art of Organized Noize documentary drops on Netflix, bringing a behind the scenes look at the Atlanta collective that birthed Outkast, Goodie Mob and others. Look after the break to check out each day's highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).
Here's how 'Star Wars Battlefront' does Jabba the Hutt's palace
Part of the allure of Star Wars Battlefront is seeing how it translates classic scenes from the movies to the video game world. How will it handle Jabba the Hutt's palace, for example? As of this week, you now have a good answer to that last question. EA and DICE have posted a trailer for the imminent Outer Rim expansion that gives you a solid look at Jabba's home, whether it's the vast sail barge garage or the tighter confines of the throne room. The clip also offers a peek at the volcanic world of Sullust and the two new hero/villain characters, Greedo and Nien Nunb -- Greedo's multi-shot ability looks like it could be a real ace in the hole when you're surrounded by enemies.
'Star Wars: Battlefront' is coming to PlayStation VR
If you wanted something a little bit bigger to sink your teeth into for PlayStation VR, there's Star Wars: Battlefront. It's a third-party exclusive and, well, Sony's Andrew House didn't say much more beyond that at today's GDC event aside from it being a DICE-developed project -- just like the base game. He promised we'll hear more about it in the coming months. So, E3? Here's to hoping it's more than just virtual reality viewer for the game's collectible diorama pieces.
Play as two new heroes in the next 'Battlefront' DLC
DICE has announced the next map and character DLC pack for its wildly popular Star Wars: Battlefront game. The new pack, dubbed Outer Rim, will feature two new maps including a close-range field within Jabba the Hutt's palace and garage complex as well as a second map for Sullust (which already has one in-game), a lava-laden industrial planet.
Finn from 'Star Wars' wants a story mode for 'Battlefront'
Electronic Arts and DICE have gone on record saying that the "Battle of Jakku" map is the closest we're going to get to any content in Star Wars: Battlefront that wasn't in the classic trilogy. But does that edict mean the development teams will ignore the request of one of The Force Awakens' breakout stars, John Boyega (disgraced stormtrooper Finn), for a "full on offline" story mode? Time will tell. "It's more of an enjoyable way to learn controls," he tweeted. He isn't wrong, either: Trying to learn any game's intricacies while also dodging incoming fire from folks online is a pain.
'Star Wars Battlefront' adds a retro film grain option
Are you the sort of Star Wars fan who seeks out "de-specialized" versions of the original movies, and knows that Han shot first? If so, you're going to have a field day with the latest update for Star Wars Battlefront. The release adds a film grain option that lets you dial in as much of that classic look as you like, giving the game more of the late '70s/early '80s vibe from the early flicks. That's not the only upgrade, either.
Death Star map coming to 'Star Wars: Battlefront' this fall
Get ready, Star Wars: Battlefront buffs -- there's a ton of downloadable content coming your way. For starters, following the release of the Battle of Jakku in December, DICE will add more DLC content to its game tomorrow, January 27th. This includes the ability for player's to create private matches, support for new multiplayer modes in the Tatooine Survival map, and Battle of Hoth-themed character clothing for Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. While that's all fine and dandy, we know what you're here for: the Death Star.
