It happens that some players on FIFA lose control and find themselves ruined by repeatedly buying loot boxes on FIFA. For EA, it is imperative to find solutions … Without touching the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Like every year, a new FIFA has landed on our consoles. There is inevitably the Ultimate Team mode, which allows you to create your dream team by buying player cards. This system has long been decried by many associations and by several governments who compare it to lottery and gambling.
It must be said that the comparison is legitimate: you pay to get a pack of player cards, but nothing says that you will get the player you want in return. Belgium has already legislated on the subject in 2017, immediately considering loot boxes as gambling and at the same time banning them on its territory.
In March 2021, it is Germany’s turn to take a stand on the subject, by submitting a new law to prohibit the use of loot boxes in video games. Otherwise, it will be a question of prohibiting access to minors to games that offer this type of mechanism, such as FIFA for example. And now, the British government is also considering classifying loot boxes as gambling.
EA wants to find solutions against the perverse effects of loot boxes
In a long interview with Eurogamer, Chris Bruzzo, Chief Experience Officer at EA, returned to loot boxes. He recalls that the American publisher has taken concrete measures such as the possibility of having an overview of the content of the packs. However, he recognizes that there is still work to be done, especially to protect users from themselves.
“I think we need to talk about the extremes. I think we have to find solutions for the players who find themselves in the extreme situation where they have lost control of their time and their expenses ”, he assures. Still, EA is not ready to change its miracle formula which brings in no less than $ 1.2 billion per year.
This is why EA prefers to campaign for more parental controls and awareness, in particular to prevent minors from spending their money on Ultimate Team. Anyway, it is expected that the British government will legislate on the case of loot boxes in 2022. What could possibly threaten the goose that lays the golden eggs of EA. In this regard, Chris Bruzzo assures us that EA is ready to come to the negotiating table.
Source: Eurogamer