DICE and Electronic Arts have spoken at length about how Battlefield 5 won’t have loot boxes. We also learned that the game would sport an in-game currency for upgrades, gear, and cosmetics, while separate premium currency could be used for just cosmetics. Recently, EA has detailed how the economy will work in the shooter and what it means for progression.
The first currency is Company Coin, which can be earned by completing Special Assignments and Daily Missions or by ranking up. “As you play and progress through Battlefield 5, you will earn Company Coin,” EA’s update reads. “Company Coin gives you the ability to choose items outside the base progression paths to further expand and customize your Company.
“You can use Company Coin to unlock choices within weapon and vehicle Specializations. You can also use Company Coin to get cosmetic items, such as jackets, face paint, and weapon skins. At launch, cosmetic items will be available for soldiers and weapons. Vehicle cosmetics will be available in the first chapter of Tides of War.”
Throughout the game, you’ll be earning different items, vehicles, upgrades, and cosmetics in five categories – Career, Class, Weapon, Vehicle, and Chapter. All categories exist independent of each other, so Career rank can be leveled on the whole while Class rank increases depending on the classes chosen. Specializations will ultimately be unlocked and can provide different benefits purchased through Company Coin. “It’s up to you to decide what types of gameplay matter to you and make inventory decisions based on how you want to progress,” EA said.
The premium currency is called Battlefield Currency, and can be used to purchase “specific cosmetic items” for one’s Company. “Battlefield 5 will also have an optional currency known as Battlefield Currency, which is purchased with real-world money. Battlefield Currency can be used to acquire specific cosmetic items for your Company.” EA is insistent that nothing purchased will provide an “unfair gameplay advantage.”
Furthermore, Battlefield Currency will not be available at launch. The publisher wants players to properly understand the game and Company Coin before it introduces the premium currency. “Balanced rock-paper-scissors gameplay has always been the foundation of the Battlefield series, and our belief is that real-world money should not enable pay-to-win or pay-for-power.”
Battlefield 5 is out on November 20th for Xbox One, PS4, and PC.