Is DICE still updating Battlefront 2?
The long-running debate surrounding the support of Star Wars Battlefront 2 has finally reached a conclusion. In a statement released in April 2020, DICE (Electronic Arts’ development team) confirmed that the final content update for Battlefront 2 had been published. This update brought forth some new content, including a playable character from the Star Wars film Rogue One.
The Last Hurrah: What’s to Expect?
The concluding update marked the end of Battlefront 2’s long-running support cycle, and with it, gamers who were hoping for additional features and content were left without much to look forward to. However, during the update’s release, players did get to enjoy new maps, heroes, and modes to play, albeit briefly.
But What Went Wrong?
Looking back, it is crucial to identify the critical flaws that led to DICE’s decision to drop Battlefront 2 entirely. In 2017, the game’s launch faced heavy criticism for its initial inclusion of microtransactions. Fans were not pleased about being forced to pay extra money for in-game elements like credits and loot crates.
Battlefront 2’s Development Cycle
Interestingly, Free Radical co-founder Steve Ellis once described Battlefront 3, another cancelled Star Wars project, as "99% complete." The creative process had stalled, and we witnessed a similar situation for Battlefront 2.
What Went Wrong – And How to Fix It?
For those unaware, here’s a short overview of the issues leading up to DICE’s announcement:
• A failure to evolve: Compared to its predecessor, the gameplay didn’t improve noticeably.
• Lack of transparency: The removal of microtransactions and poor in-game design led to players’ dissatisfaction.
• Battlefront 2 being considered "old" content: DICE’s efforts didn’t yield significant progress in the gaming community.
Some lessons to take away here: prioritize communication, strive to improve, and learn to evolve.