The lootbox thing has been talked to death I know, and I am sure my input is just adding on to the pile here, but the game's fundemental flaw is that EA was certain they could flip the current model of "season pass" to "lootbox only" and enjoy the benefits without the backlash. Think about it for a second. Let's say the game released without any of the massive changes they made. If that happened this had to be EA's logic: "If we give players the upfront choice of buying a season pass for DLC many of them will forego the purchase just to play the vanilla game. However, if we make DLC 'free' but tie lootboxes, which players can buy with real money, to progression then more players will spend beyond the $60 base cost."
With that in mind it explains both why progression is broken and also why the rewards from the crates are so paltry. It also explains why the campaign is so short (why put time into the campaign since the end goal is selling lootboxes so you can...release the END OF THE CAMPAIGN???) It makes no sense other than as a way to rip additional money out of players pockets.
Dan has absolutely nailed it that the game was designed in a boardroom by executives that could give a darn about gaming itself. It was a money making scheme by EA that was exposed because it was so poorly hidden, especially given the fact that EA caved immediately when they got pressure.
The concern for us as gamers now should be that governments around the world are starting to look into loot box systems in games for what they are...gambling. EA may have initiated a sequence of events that leads directly to government oversight of games in certain countries. That is going to have a massive chilling effect on game development if it comes to pass.
Evilbill's comments