10 EXACT Moments Video Game Fans Tapped Out

3. Built On Microtransactions - Star Wars Battlefront 2

Star Wars Battlefront 2 Exquisite Pajamas
EA

With every consumer-unfriendly business practice and ludicrously priced or positioned microtransaction scheme, publishers run the risk of burning a bridge between them and their players. While a lot of these real-world money mechanics and practices slide on by as just a little insidious, EA kicked off the mother of all video game controversies when they tried to wring fans dry with Star Wars Battlefront II’s microtransactions.

In essence, EA was all set to charge you for everything from skins to weapon upgrades and everything in between thereby breaking the game down into who wanted to pay-to-win and who didn’t.

EA were forced to pull way back on their microtransaction plans in order to salvage a tiny amount of goodwill from their previously keen fanbase but by this point they’d stirred up enough ire that plenty of fans decided to move on from the game entirely before it even properly launched.

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Jess has been a journalist and content creator in the games industry for over 15 years and has been WhatCulture's resident Australian import and sorry cop since 2020, upping the quotient of swearing and apologising in WhatCulture Gaming's annual blooper videos considerably. She previously worked at GameSpot for 10 years, most notably hosting GameSpot News in addition to E3 live shows, and PAX panels. She regularly livestreams a variety of games on her 'jessmcdonell' YouTube and Twitch channels and hosts the 'Do It On The Day' podcast. She has won awards for her news and feature work in gaming as well as an accolade for her comedic writing (likely an admin error). She can be found on X at @jessmcdonell and Instagram at @jessicamcdonell sharing her current videogame fixations, industry insights, and videos of her cat, Karma.