Tag: EA

  • Battlefield 6 Leak: EA’s Controversial ‘Battlefield Pro’ Subscription

    Battlefield 6 Leak: EA’s Controversial ‘Battlefield Pro’ Subscription

    Key Takeaways

    1. Dataminers suggest a new monetization strategy called Battlefield Pro may be introduced for Battlefield 6, resembling subscription models like Fortnite Crew.
    2. EA has a history of implementing similar monetization strategies, such as Battlefield Premium and FIFA’s Ultimate Team, indicating a trend in their approach.
    3. The rumored Battlefield Pro subscription lacks official confirmation, leading to skepticism about its validity.
    4. Community reactions on Reddit are predominantly negative, with gamers expressing concerns over EA’s past monetization practices and potential pay-to-win scenarios.
    5. Players worry that exclusive content from a subscription model could disrupt game balance and prioritize profits over player experience.

    Following the recent excitement about game prices stirred up by highly anticipated games like GTA 6 and Mario Kart World, EA might soon be in the spotlight – not because of pricing, but due to the aggressive monetization of Battlefield 6. Dataminers suggest that a new monetization strategy called Battlefield Pro could be on the way for the next shooter in the franchise.

    Datamined Information

    As reported by MP1st, this leak is based on data mined straight from Battlefield Labs. However, the lack of reliable sources or any kind of official confirmation raises questions about its validity. Despite this, well-known publications like Insider Gaming and the German magazine GameStar have taken notice of the story, indicating that it might have some significance. From the information gathered, Battlefield Pro seems to adopt a model similar to subscription services like Fortnite Crew or the R6 Membership in Rainbow Six Siege. Subscribers are likely to enjoy the following perks:

    EA’s History with Monetization

    A premium subscription for Battlefield would fit nicely with EA’s past monetization strategies. The company has previously rolled out similar models, such as Battlefield Premium, which provided early access and cosmetic items, as well as the often criticized Ultimate Team system in FIFA (now EA Sports FC). Although EA has not made an official statement yet, the idea of a Battlefield Pro subscription doesn’t appear too far-fetched in this situation. Nonetheless, whether this model will actually come to fruition remains uncertain.

    Community Reactions

    The overall sentiment on Reddit regarding a possible Battlefield Pro subscription is largely negative. Many gamers are reminded of EA’s previous monetization blunders and openly voice their disapproval of the rumored structure. A common sentiment is that the publisher is once again prioritizing profits over player input, with comments like “EA hasn’t learned a thing” and “they’ve messed it up again” showcasing that viewpoint. The major worry revolves around the potential for exclusive content, such as weapons, that could provide gameplay advantages, which might lead to pay-to-win scenarios and disrupt the overall balance of the game.

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  • AAA Racing Game on Steam Now Just $5, Down from $70

    AAA Racing Game on Steam Now Just $5, Down from $70

    Key Takeaways

    1. Illegal Street Racing Theme: Need for Speed Unbound focuses on illegal street racing in Lakeshore City, inspired by Chicago, where players aim to enter a premier tournament by winning races and enhancing their vehicles.

    2. Day-Night Cycle: The game features a day-night cycle where daytime races are safer but offer smaller rewards, while nighttime races provide bigger payouts, but with increased police presence and more aggressive AI.

    3. Mixed Community Reception: Players have expressed dissatisfaction with the relentless police AI and slow campaign progression, along with a mandatory EA app installation requirement that frustrates some users.

    4. Distinct Visual Style: Lakeshore City is designed as an open world with a mix of realistic environments and comic-like effects, though some players wish for an option to disable these vibrant graphics.

    5. Pricing and Discounts: Currently retailing for $70, Need for Speed Unbound has significant discounts available, with prices dropping as low as $5 during sales, along with special editions also seeing major price reductions.

    Need for Speed Unbound is all about illegal street racing set in Lakeshore City, a make-believe city inspired by Chicago. Players step into the shoes of an ambitious driver looking to get into The Grand, the city’s premier tournament, by winning high-stakes races, collecting cash, and enhancing their vehicles. The game has a day-night cycle that adds a strategic twist. Races during the day are safer but yield smaller rewards, whereas nighttime races can offer bigger payouts but also come with a heavier police presence. The more reckless the driving, the more aggressive the police become. Yet, some players are not thrilled with this aspect. A lot of the community thinks the police AI is too relentless and unbalanced, leading to frustrating chases that disrupt the game’s pace.

    Open World Features

    In Need for Speed Unbound, Lakeshore City is an open world that’s split into different areas. Players can zoom through urban spots like downtown filled with tall buildings, as well as vast industrial zones, winding mountain paths, and fast highways. The game combines realistic worlds with comic-like effects and cel-shading, creating a distinct visual style. Nevertheless, many gamers have voiced their discontent over the absence of an option to turn off the vibrant effects in the graphics settings. Beyond the single-player campaign, Unbound offers a multiplayer mode where up to 16 players can compete against each other.

    Mixed Reviews

    The German gaming publication Eurogamer gave Need for Speed Unbound a nod for its dynamic open world and exhilarating speed. However, they pointed out the unbalanced AI and slow progress in the campaign as areas needing improvement. Each in-game day only allows a limited number of retries for unsuccessful races, and the rewards are often too low compared to the prices of new cars. This creates a feeling that early progress drags on unnecessarily. Another annoyance is the compulsory installation of the EA app, even when starting the game through Steam, which has left many players unhappy.

    Pricing and Availability

    Developed by Criterion Games in collaboration with Electronic Arts, Need for Speed Unbound was released in December 2022. Since its launch, the game has garnered almost 38,000 reviews on Steam, but with only 62% being positive, it falls into the “Mixed” category. Its reception on Metacritic hasn’t been much better, boasting a Metascore of 73 and a user score of 5.9.

    Need for Speed Unbound typically retails for $70 on Steam, but during the spring sale, there is a massive 93% discount until March 20, dropping the price to about $5. The Palace Edition, which comes with four additional cars and cosmetic items, is marked down by 85%, reducing its price from $80 to $12. The Ultimate Collection, featuring all released content, is available at an 80% discount for $17 instead of $85.

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  • EA Faces Criticism: Microtransactions Found in Closed Alpha

    EA Faces Criticism: Microtransactions Found in Closed Alpha

    Key Takeaways

    1. EA is known for strong monetization techniques, leading to player annoyance, especially with pay-to-win loot boxes and microtransactions.
    2. Star Wars Battlefront II faced significant backlash over its monetization, resulting in a complete revamp of its system.
    3. EA’s upcoming Skate game has introduced a currency system called “San Van Bucks” during its closed alpha for acquiring cosmetic items.
    4. Community reactions on Reddit are mixed, with some confused about monetization in early testing, while others support it due to the game being free-to-play.
    5. Players can keep any purchased San Van Bucks when the game transitions to Early Access, but all other progress will reset.

    EA has been known for its strong monetization techniques, which often leads to player annoyance. Examples include the pay-to-win loot boxes found in FIFA (now known as EA Sports FC) and the heavy reliance on microtransactions in Star Wars Battlefront II. This particular game faced such a massive backlash that its system was completely revamped. Despite this, EA persists in making in-game purchases a key part of its overall strategy.

    Criticism Over New Game

    Now, EA is under fire again for its monetization approach, this time concerning a game that hasn’t even been released yet. As reported by Insider Gaming, the upcoming Skate installment is currently in closed alpha, where a currency system called “San Van Bucks” has been introduced. This allows players to acquire cosmetic items from the Skate Store. Full Circle, the developer, states that this early test is aimed at refining the system before the game’s Early Access debut in 2025, ensuring a “positive gaming experience.” Notably, while all progress will reset before Early Access starts, any San Van Bucks purchased will remain, as long as players use the same EA account.

    Community Reaction

    The introduction of microtransactions during a closed alpha has led to intense discussions on Reddit. Many users are confused about why a payment system is operational when essential gameplay features are still being finalized. Conversely, some supporters argue that since Skate will be a free-to-play game, having a monetization method is necessary anyway, making early testing a sensible decision. Provided that purchases are just for cosmetic items, some gamers don’t see a problem with it.

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  • Producer Seeks Removal of Battlefield 6 Leaks and NDA Protection

    Producer Seeks Removal of Battlefield 6 Leaks and NDA Protection

    Key Takeaways

    1. Numerous video clips of Battlefield 6 are being shared on social media, despite EA’s attempts to remove them.
    2. David Sirland, the lead producer, has stated that EA will pursue players who reveal new gameplay features, indicating the NDA is still in effect.
    3. Battlefield Labs will conduct multiple playtests, potentially impacting the release date for Battlefield 6.
    4. Sirland believes that Dice has sufficient feedback from current playtests and hinted at a larger playtest in the future for more players.
    5. Positive feedback from leaked content has led to speculation about the need for censorship, particularly regarding returning gameplay features like the “revive loop.”

    Since the commencement of the Battlefield 6 playtest, numerous video clips have emerged on social media platforms. Even though EA initially made attempts to remove these posts, fresh footage continues to surface each day. This has led certain gamers to speculate whether the publisher has lifted the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that testers had signed. Unfortunately, the lead producer for Battlefield, David Sirland, is dampening those hopes. In a reply on X, he indicated that EA plans to actively pursue any players who reveal new gameplay features or visuals from Battlefield 6.

    Playtests and Their Impact

    Battlefield Labs is set to conduct various playtests, which might affect the yet-to-be-announced release date for Battlefield 6. Both EA and developer Dice are making efforts to avoid the bugs and optimization issues that affected Battlefield 2042. A few thousand players participated in the initial session, which has been sufficient to provide fans with a continuous flow of leaked content.

    Community Feedback Concerns

    One user inquired whether lifting the restrictions would yield more constructive feedback from the community. However, Sirland, the lead producer, thinks that Dice already obtains plenty of information. He also suggested that there may be a larger Battlefield 6 playtest in the future, allowing more gamers to take part.

    The Role of NDAs

    Non-disclosure agreements are common in private beta or alpha testing phases, where bugs might lead to a negative impression among potential buyers. Nevertheless, given the positive feedback on the leaks, EA might not feel an urgent need to censor those sharing content. Observers have commended the return of certain gameplay features in Battlefield 6, such as the ability to pull teammates to safety. Sirland clarified that this feature is part of a “revive loop” that introduces a fresh aspect to multiplayer matches.

    For now, the floodgates are open for leaked footage of Battlefield 6. EA will need to be considerably more watchful to ensure that upcoming features of the shooter remain confidential.

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    Producer Seeks Removal of Battlefield 6 Leaks and NDA Protection
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  • Battlefield 6 Closed Playtest May Start Next Week

    Battlefield 6 Closed Playtest May Start Next Week

    Battlefield 5 and Battlefield 2042 fell short of what was anticipated, but EA is not abandoning its well-known FPS series. With Battlefield 6, the developers aim to avoid the issues that affected earlier games. After revealing some game specifics in September, EA indicated that playtests would significantly shape its development. Recently, MP1st has reported that a closed playtest for Battlefield 6 may commence as early as next week.

    Playtest Details

    As per MP1st, those wishing to participate will need to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Additionally, YouTuber DANNYonPC mentioned that another content creator removed a tweet regarding the upcoming Battlefield 6 playtest. The initial phase is expected to be limited, and it might take a while before additional players are invited to join in another session.

    Gamer Skepticism

    Players have good reasons to be doubtful about Battlefield 6. Battlefield 2042, which was launched in 2021, faced swift backlash due to bugs and weapon imbalances. The earlier title, Battlefield 5, was criticized for awkwardly designed maps and inaccuracies in its World War II representation. Battlefield 6 is set to return to a modern-day environment, reminiscent of the series’ most successful installments.

    Performance Challenges

    Battlefield 2042 introduced 128-player multiplayer, which proved troublesome for both EA and its rivals. The gameplay became excessively hectic, leading to the compromise of features like destructible environments. While the upcoming Battlefield will limit player count to 64 per map, this could still result in performance issues. Through the closed playtest, developers at Dice hope to identify and fix any issues early in the process.

    Despite having limited confirmed information, the release date for Battlefield 6 is anticipated to be in 2025. The rumored playtest could mark the beginning of a community-focused testing initiative mentioned by Vince Zampella from Respawn Entertainment.

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    Battlefield 6 Closed Playtest May Start Next Week

     

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  • Maxis and EA Set to Re-release The Sims 1 and 2 Soon

    Maxis and EA Set to Re-release The Sims 1 and 2 Soon

    One of the most loved PC games ever, along with its sequel, might be making a grand comeback this week.

    In a recent video from EA and Maxis Games that celebrates the 25th anniversary of The Sims series, there was a hint about the potential re-release of the first two games. The official X page for The Sims shared a timeline of events for the celebration, featuring a week named “Nostalgia Now,” which is set to run from January 27th to 31st.

    Exciting News from Kotaku

    This aligns with a report from Kotaku, where a source who knows about the situation mentioned that both The Sims and The Sims 2 could be re-released by the end of this month. The insider also mentioned that the re-releases would come with all the various expansion packs for these titles.

    A sneak peek video for the event showcases the famous green diamond icon representing the active Sim from the first game, surrounded by the action choice wheel from The Sims 2.

    The Challenge of Playing Older Titles

    Although The Sims 4 has been thriving for over a decade, getting access to the older games in the series is tough, if not impossible, these days. The Sims was only ever available on physical discs, and The Sims 2 was taken offline in 2014. Moreover, both games need some technical adjustments to work well on today’s computers.

    Just remember, this re-release is just a rumor for now. While it looks quite probable that the original games will come out (or at least show up in some way next week), it’s wise to take this news lightly.

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  • EA to Replace Origin with EA App in April: Migration Required

    EA to Replace Origin with EA App in April: Migration Required

    If you are a fan of EA games on an older Windows version, you might want to consider an upgrade.

    EA has revealed that it will shut down its Origin game management tool on April 17, 2025. This move is due to Microsoft’s decision to stop supporting 32-bit software, according to EA’s announcement.

    Transition to the EA App

    Gamers will be required to download the EA app instead of using Origin. This new app is 64-bit and necessitates a 64-bit version of Windows. Most games should migrate smoothly to the new application once users log in, although some save files may need to be manually transferred through the file system, particularly those games that do not offer cloud saves. For those merely switching applications, games that are already installed should automatically appear in the new app.

    Checking Your Windows Version

    It’s important to note that many current EA Origin users are probably already utilizing a 64-bit version of Windows. The first version of Windows to provide 64-bit support was Windows Vista, released in 2006. Nevertheless, Windows 10 and earlier versions still had 32-bit options, which might mean some users are still on unsupported operating systems.

    To verify your Windows version, you can open the Settings app, navigate to “System,” and select the “About” option. Alternatively, pressing the Windows key and typing “winver” will show your Windows version. If you’re using Windows 8, right-click the start button and choose “PC Info” to access this information.

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  • The Sims 4 Free-to-Play Base Game Receives Major Update

    The Sims 4 Free-to-Play Base Game Receives Major Update

    The Sims franchise has celebrated a remarkable 25 years, and to honor this milestone, the Sims team plans to release complimentary content and organize events leading up to the grand birthday event on February 25th. The update on January 14th marks the first enhancement to the base game, introducing numerous gameplay improvements and alterations to the user interface. Below are some key features that are new in The Sims 4.

    Gameplay Enhancements

    The January 14th update introduced significant behind-the-scenes improvements to the game’s performance, along with fixes for bugs and updates to the UI. For instance, the home screen now showcases characters at the center, engaging in random animations, drawing inspiration from the lobbies of games like Apex Legends and Fortnite. This move aligns with the recent trend of integrating elements from battle royale games, such as weekly login rewards and seasonal events. The revamped UI aligns with this shift in gameplay dynamics.

    Townie Home Renovations

    Additionally, the update has revamped all the townie residences in both Willow Creek and Oasis Springs. This makeover includes entirely new buildings and interior redesigns, injecting fresh energy into these decade-old virtual homes. However, players who are not beginning a new save file will need to manually download and place these new lots to experience the updated designs. More details about the changes to townie homes, the user interface, and a full list of bug fixes can be found below.

    For further information, visit EA News.

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    The Sims 4 Free-to-Play Base Game Receives Major Update

     

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