10 Video Game Cash-Grabs We Can't Believe They Tried

When a game is expected to be a hit, it's customary for the publishers to promote the hell out of before launch. So, when EA Sports dropped Apex Legends with no song and dance, the gaming community was justifiably dubious.

And yet, the free-to-play shooter received universal love on all consoles. (Except the Switch. Don't know what happened there.) Thanks to the wonderful ping system, innovative mechanics, and awesome gunplay, Apex Legends suitably became the apex of the battle royale sub-genre.

Then Season 2 introduced the bane of modern gaming - loot boxes.

This was the worst kind of reward system, since certain items could only be obtained through this infernal mechanic. Because such rewards would only be available for a certain length of time, players bought these cosmetics in a panic, worried they wouldn't get another chance.

Worst of all, one Legendary called the Raven's Bite couldn't be unlocked, unless you obtained all 24 Crowns, which cost the equivalent of $160. Once you do this, you have to pay an EXTRA $35 to actually buy this weapon!

Diehard gamers were so disgusted, many quit soon after, despite EA's best efforts to amend the issues.