If the goal is bringing back players, it's definitely not the approach I would have taken. If the goal is to just continue milking the existing user base, then it will have no effect.
Bringing folks back is them making weapons suck less again. I am definitely going to log back in on the 17th to try all the weapon buffs, see if any of the ones I had high hopes for are fun now that they can actually kill things. If it's fun again I'll grind out some super credits and get the warbond just like always. If it's not fun enough I'll go back to other games. Same as always.
it's unfortunate that they are going down this route. stratagems are one of the main appeals of the game, missing out on primary, secondary, and throwable weapons due to not having a warbond isn't nearly as disappointing IMO.
something i'd like to emphasise for people who think this is no big deal, because you can earn credits by playing:
not everyone has the game amount of time to play as you might. those players don't have a choice of grind for it or pay for it, for them it's pay for it or lack the stratagem.
Sounds to me like it will cost the same as any other warbond, 1000SC? Sooooo....it's click bait?
As someone who is really stingy on spending my SC until something interesting comes along it's fine. I saved enough do that when the last update came along I got the Fireproof Underwear because I just happen to use the flamethrower load out a lot, and I still have 1000+SC
It's fair for them to offer new stuff this way, because people will spend money or they won't, and either way it's not too daunting of a cost.
the difference is that, stratagems have been (until this point) been unlocked with requisition slips, not with the super credits.
additionally, it might not be a daunting cost to you, but it might for others, always something to keep in mind!
As the game is, it's not a necessary addition by any means. So no, it isn't a big deal.
Though I don't know the price of it, I know it doesn't take too long to play your way to enough "Super Credits" to pay for the Warbonds. I can't imagine it's so much more expensive than that.
Also, people may not like to hear it, but only they have a responsability in what hobbies they themselves choose. If you don't have the time to play a grindy live-service game, then don't buy it. Yes, that choice lies with you and you alone.
Neither the Developers or anyone else, has any responsability as to how you choose to spend you time.
There's a million cool hobbies out there, find one that fits your schedule.
Edit: The entire article reads as if it was written by someone that hasn't played the game. They use the words "Warbond" and "Stratagem" interchangeably. And write as if the Warbonds didn't cost 'Super Credits' before. You've never been able to pay for a warbond with anything else.
it's a major shift in how warbonds work, for that reason alone it's a big deal.
as far as responsibility goes, i'd invite you to find empathy for those who were suddenly impacted by this change. additionally i believe we should be advocates to make more experiences accessible to all people, regardless of financial constraints, time constraints, or other circumstances.