14 DAY TRIAL // Like any modern multiplayer-focused shooter, Star Wars: Battlefront will feature a system that allows gamers to get access to extra equipment for their characters, and DICE and Electronic Arts are ready to offer gamers a lot of details about the way they can use the Star Cards to improve their overall experience with the title.
In a new blog post, Christian Johannesen and Tommy Rydling, both weapon designers, explain that the entire concept is meant to give players as much freedom as possible, with options that can be used to improve performance for every situation, regardless of mode or map.
A character can use three cards at any point in Star Wars: Battlefront, and the flexibility of the system means that it's easier to use than a traditional class system.
Gamers will be able to spend in-game credits to improve the quality of the options they can access, and once they hit level ten, they can put together a secondary hand to have alternatives.
DICE is also introducing a copy system, allowing lower level players to get access to the Star Cards that a more advanced partner has access to.
The studio adds, "All Star Cards can be upgraded in the Unlocks menu by spending credits earned in game. Once the Star Card is upgraded, the weapon or item tied to it will be more powerful, signified by a black background color."
Some cards are only activated using a charge and deliver powerful abilities like personal shields, a scan pulse or an ion shot.
Star Wars: Battlefront also includes Powerups
They represent the only way that gamers can get access to the Hero experience or to a vehicle that's present on the map, but there are also powerful weapons that can be used to change the course of an engagement.
DICE advises gamers to first try to find a Star Card that clearly complements the main blaster that they have chosen before taking into account the mode they are playing and the planet they are on to complete the hand.
Star Wars: Battlefront features three core groups for the blasters, with 11 different weapon types to work with.
The developers say that they have carefully balanced damage, range and rate of fire for all of them and will continue to do so after the shooter launches.
DICE has offered an official announcement, but it is likely that more Star Cards and main weapons will be introduced in the paid DLC packs when they start arriving in 2016.
Star Wars: Battlefront will be out on the PC, the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4 on November 17.
Gamers who place a pre-order before that date will receive a free Battle of Jakku downloadable content pack, linked to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, on December 1, while the rest of the fan base will only be able to play it on December 8.
A live-action TV spot for the game was launched today, featuring Anna Kendrick as she delivers one of the most iconic lines from the original movie trilogy.