The UK government’s recent decision not to ban the contentious in-game monetization system effectively gave the corporation the go-ahead. As a result, EA has now announced that it will continue to use loot boxes for FIFA 23‘s Ultimate Team mode.
In a report given to Eurogamer, EA reaffirmed all of its previous statements regarding Ultimate Team’s card packs, which have recently drawn criticism from children’s organizations, researchers, and players for enabling pay-to-win in competitive settings.
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We firmly feel that FIFA’s Ultimate Team and FUT Packs, which have been a part of the game for more than ten years, are features that players adore. Fans adore that FIFA captures the excitement and strategy of assembling and maintaining a team in real life. According to EA, giving people the option to pay money if they so choose is just.
It’s important to note that spending money in our game is optional, and we do not promote it as a better alternative than earning rewards through gameplay. Most players don’t pay any money in the game, and FUT Packs function precisely the same whether they are purchased or made. For instance, in FIFA 22, nine out of ten opened FUT Packs were earned.
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Despite discovering that gamers who purchase loot boxes are “more likely to experience gambling, mental health, financial, and problem gaming-related consequences,” the UK government chose not to take any action against loot boxes last month.
According to the government, loot boxes are not considered gambling, and as a result, no revisions to the Gambling Act will be made.
While the government demanded improved safeguards from all sectors of the business and vowed it “would not hesitate to explore legislation if corporations do not put in sufficient measures to keep players safe,” its stance on loot boxes differs from that of some European nations that have incorporated loot boxes into their gaming regulations.