After Fortnite made the Battle Pass system known, it was implemented almost identically in most games: Through gameplay, you earn experience points that increase the level of your pass and thus linearly unlock new rewards. EA has now patented a system that should give players more freedom.
This is how the new Battle Pass works
EA's plan is to develop a progress system in which you choose different paths can. They are initially shown on a map. Each of the individual paths then has an individual set of rewards.
You can turn at certain points in the Battle Pass. However, you do not block yourself with rewards: If you want to choose another path later, you can backtrack and still unlock all rewards.
Battle pass systems in themselves are well thought out methodto permanently bind players to a title. Because whoever works towards a reward usually also plays regularly. In our video on the Fortnite system, we explain how clever the corresponding mechanics are:
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How does Fortnite actually make that much money? – Video: And what's so "clever" about the Battle Pass
So far, EA has only applied for the patent. Whether they really will do it is another question. It is not uncommon for companies to be Patent ideas without actually using them later. For example, the publisher already protected some form of unfair matchmaking to boost microtransactions. However, it has not yet been proven that this system is really used.
Mathias Dietrich
@ kawaraban5After I had often grinded myself with the advent of Battle Passes to unlock cosmetics, I asked myself at some point: What am I doing this for? Since the grind is taking so long, I felt compelled to play a game. In addition, most rewards seem more like an obstacle to me. And with that the fun went. So I started ignoring cosmetic rewards. They don't change the game anyway.
So I'm a bit divided about EA's new patent. If players can get their desired cosmetics faster, it's a commendable endeavor. But I'm cynical: Somehow I get the feeling that this new type of Battle Pass will only lengthen the grind.
