It was never going to look good. An expensive game with hip options also getting microtransactions. That's what's happening in Battlefield 4 today, with DICE and EA making a move that was predicted before the game even launched.
You can now throw money at the rickety game for the privilege of getting Battlepacks. DICE calls it a "shortcut to catch up with [your] friends on the Battlefield." A shortcut.
Battlepacks will still be available through regular play, providing accessories, weapons, emblems and other assorted bits of tat. But now you'll be able to drop $1 – $3 on Bronze, Silver and Gold Battlepacks without earning them through in-game progress.
Given DICE's difficulties with making the game functional over the last 7 months, the DLC and the hip options, microtransactions seem in especially poor taste.
Last year, EA said that Battlefield would not have microtransactions and would instead build on services and expansions like hip and DLC. Paying money for Battlepacks clearly does not fall under that.
I anticipate a great deal of seething.