Leak appears to show hidden customization menu in ‘Star Wars: Battlefront II’

By Gabe Gurwin Published December 1, 2017

Unlike the majority of multiplayer shooters on the market, Star Wars: Battlefront II doesn’t currently allow players to change the appearance of their characters, instead offering customization options only for abilities and choice of weapons. It appears, however, that at some stage in development, the game was set to receive numerous appearance options.

Reddit user uninspired_zebra discovered the customization options hidden in Star Wars: Battlefront II‘s menus. After clicking on the “change appearance” option for a character, they were taken to a separate menu listing all six of the multiplayer factions. After selecting the Galactic Republic, eight different variants of the standard clone trooper are available, including the standard “Theed” as well as “Coruscant Guard.” The differences between the options are fairly minor — details on helmets and slightly different armor — but they still offer a little diversity in an otherwise homogeneous group.

Recommended Videos

Similar customization options are shown for the Rebel Alliance. These include completely different character models, and a Sullustan is even among the choices. The head sizes vary slightly between the different appearances, which could have had an impact on game balancing and hit detection if they were actually introduced. The Reddit user discovered additional skins for a few other Star Wars races including the Quarren, the Rodian, and the Twi’lek.

Star Wars: Battlefront II was allegedly planned to launch cosmetic skin options similar to what we’ve seen in shooters like Overwatch, but pressure from Lucasfilm helped to cut the feature. Microtransactions for gameplay-centric items were removed as well, at least temporarily, just prior to launch. Speaking at a Credit Suisse event, Electronic Arts CFO Blake Jorgensen also revealed that concern about the universe’s canon helped guide the company’s decision.

“It’s an amazing brand that’s been built over many, many years,” Jordensen said. “So if you did a bunch of cosmetic things, you might start to violate the canon. Darth Vader in white probably doesn’t make sense, versus in black. Not to mention you probably don’t want Darth Vader in pink. No offense to pink, but I don’t think that’s right in the canon.”

Star Wars: Battlefront II is now available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Contributor

Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…

Topics

Gaming

All Nix Treasure locations in Star Wars Outlaws

Kay Vass joined by her small alien companion called Nix in a futuristic city.

The only one Kay can really count on in Star Wars Outlaws is her adorable alien partner, Nix. This little guy can help you solve puzzles, distract enemies, and even fetch loot so you don't have to go over and pick it up yourself. For everything he does for you, the least you could do is reward him with some cool cosmetics. Nix Treasures are among many collectibles found all over the various planets in Star Wars Outlaws, but these little trinkets can be traded to special vendors for new accessories for Nix. Of course, there's also a shiny Trophy in it for you if you find them all. Unlike other Ubisoft games where you can scan the city and ping every map marker at once, you need to do a bit more hunting to find collectibles. Here are all the Nix Treasure locations.
How Nix Treasures work

Nix Treasures are different from other treasures that you can just loot or lockpick. When you get close to one, Nix will scurry off and lead you to where he senses the loot. Being a nimble little alien, he will take a direct route that Kay can't, which will force you to look around for the right path. All are collectible from the start of the game without requiring any later game tools or abilities.

Gaming

All Jet Vault locations in Star Wars Outlaws

Kay tries to enter Crimson Dawn territory.

One of the most tantalizing distractions in Star Wars Outlaws is the Jet Kordo Holodiscs. After you find your first one and gain access to the Holotracker early on in the game, you will be teased with a hidden treasure from this legendary scoundrel that is just waiting to be looted. Unlock other treasures that you can just lockpick, Jet put a bit more thought into keeping his loot hidden from anyone unworthy of it. You will need to find six individual vaults across the galaxy before you can get the big score at the end, but it will all be worth it. If you're having trouble locating each vault, we'll put an X on your map so you can go right to them.
Jet Kordo rewards

After you've collected all the loot from the vaults and returned to Toshara, you can claim your last reward.

Gaming

One small Star Wars Outlaws moment gets autism representation right

Star Wars Outlaws key art that features Kay Vess.

While playing through the first few hours of Star Wars Outlaws, I found myself once again presented with an all-too-familiar trope. ND-5, the game's primary droid crewmate to Kay Vess, appeared to be yet another autism-coded droid that is typically played for laughs or treated as "other" by the main cast.

He is introduced as a stoic and serious character who appears to have no sympathy for anything but his mission. Once he and Kay officially team up, he is given the role of the straight man. Kay will quip and make ironic or sarcastic comments that ND-5 responds to with sincerity. Whenever she asks a question, he delivers his honest answer without cushioning the blow if it would be insulting. In times when Kay wants to act based on emotion, he counters with cold logic. Generally speaking, these are all common traits those on the autism spectrum present.