EA has been receiving a ton of criticism recently for its micro-transaction model in Plants Vs. Zombies 2. First of all, there was an incredibly unpopular “lawnmower tax” in the game which requires players to re-purchase any lawnmowers lost in the course of play.
Previously, lawnmowers would respawn at the start of each new level. After a vengeful criticism of these practices, EA has finally decided to improve its micro-transaction model in its free-to-play games starting with Plants Vs. Zombies 2 by discarding the Lawnmower Tax.
This move is in addition to EA’s partnership with GOG.com to offer the original Dungeon Keeper for free. A representative of the company called the addition of a fee for replacing the lawnmowers a “test.”
We are always testing new features in Plants vs. Zombies 2. The lawnmower feature noted by some players was part of a small scale test and is now over.
Other changes to Plants vs. Zombies 2, such as the more linear level progression, are still in effect. But we’ll be on the lookout for more “tests” that may be conducted in PvZ 2 in the future.
It may not be enough for gamers but it surely is a positive step in rehabilitating the image of the publisher which has fallen quite sharply in recent months.
What are your thoughts on these tests by EA? Do you think the studio will drop the micro-transactions? Let us know in the comments section!
