The controversy surrounding video games using monetized loot boxes continues unabated across the industry. While some countries, like Belgium and the Netherlands, have banned loot boxes, other regions including the United States have allowed the practice to go on without regulation. Defense of the practice within the gaming industry has at times been questionable. Just the latest example is from Electronic Arts, which claims that FC 24 Coins players "love" loot boxes in the franchise.
Eurogamer recently reached out to Electronic Arts regarding its loot box practices in the FIFA franchise, following a decision by the UK government not to regulate the practice. EA responded with a statement defending the practice and why it believes FIFA Ultimate Team and FC 24 Ultimate Team loot boxes are necessary. In that statement, EA explains that it believes these FIFA loot boxes "are a part of FIFA that players love," noting that they have been a part of the FIFA franchise for over a decade.
Expanding on why players "love" FIFA loot boxes, EA says that, "fans love that the game reflects the real-world excitement and strategy of building and managing a squad." As for the monetization aspect of that, EA says that, "Giving players the choice to spend if they want to is fair." This argument is then repeated by EA, with the company asserting that spending real money on FIFA loot boxes is "entirely optional." This is a common refrain in defense of loot boxes, and has even been repeated by the ESA, the US video game industry's largest trade association.
EA's statement continues, saying that it doesn't "encourage spending over earning rewards through game play." Further, EA claims that the vast majority of loot boxes opened in FIFA games are not purchased with real money and that 9 out of 10 opened FC 24 Ultimate Team Packs in FC 24 are earned.
The statement from EA does not, unfortunately, directly address the most controversial aspects of loot boxes. Those being that loot boxes are akin to gambling and that addiction can be a result. For example, one UK study found that as many as 1 in 10 young gamers had gone in debt buying loot boxes.
It's unclear if FIFA players genuinely enjoy loot boxes or not, but it's undeniable that EA's monetization is extremely profitable. EA reported its biggest quarter ever earlier this year and FC 24 played a large part in that. Unless that changes, it's unlikely EA will take a serious look at changing its loot box monetization or reflect on the alleged harms it may cause. Otherwise, look forward to EA's Ultimate Team and the return of FC 24 Ultimate Team Packs in FC 24. which launches later this year.
The FIFA games have consistently been among the best-selling sports games, with each installment selling millions of copies, thanks to its devoted fanbase. Soccer fans worldwide eagerly await the release of the latest installment in the FIFA game series every year. The most recent installment of this venerable soccer video game franchise is FC 24. As the final FIFA game developed by EA Sports, FC 24 was unveiled in a trailer that emphasized the game's gameplay, visuals, animations, and commentary.
Recently, EA released another buy FIFA 24 Coins trailer that revealed information about the newly-introduced features in Career Mode. This trailer provided in-depth details on exciting features such as Player Career Personality, Playable Highlights, Authentic Managers, and a few others. EA has now unveiled another trailer focusing on the new features in FC 24 Pro Clubs. The trailer discusses in-depth features such as the new shared progression system, drop-ins, new perks, and new skill games.
