FIFA 23 Ultimate Team: Loot boxes “not gambling”, so they stay in the game
Electronic Arts has announced that the controversial loot box mechanic will remain in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team. The reason for this is a decision by the British legislature against an amendment to the gambling law that would have led to a ban on loot boxes.
Loot boxes are an increasing problem for many video game fans, but especially for youth protection officers. As a form of gambling, they are suspected of affecting the mental and financial health of children and young people – and EA’s FIFA Ultimate Team has long been at the center of discussions about the dangers of loot boxes. But now there is a surprising turn that should make EA itself happy.
EA Says Fans “Love Loot Boxes”
Because the government in Great Britain recently decided not to take any action against loot boxes in video games and not to change the applicable gambling law to that effect. It must be a free pass for Electronic Arts that the UK government doesn’t equate loot boxes with gambling.
Accordingly, EA explained that despite the ongoing criticism from many quarters, loot boxes in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team will be preserved. An official statement on the matter reads:
“We genuinely believe that Ultimate Team and the FUT Packs that have been a part of the game for over a decade are a part of FIFA that players love – fans love that the game combines real-world excitement and strategy reflects building and managing a squad. Giving players the ability to spend money when they want is fair.
Please note that investing real money in our game is completely voluntary and we do not encourage players to spend money versus unlocking rewards through gameplay. FUT Packs work exactly the same way whether they are paid or not [kostenlos] are earned, and most players don’t spend any money at all. For example, nine out of ten FUT Packs in Fifa 22 were unlocked through gameplay.”
So EA continues to stick to the controversial mechanics, although other countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium have already introduced bans on loot boxes as a form of gambling and the pressure is also growing in other countries. But the market in Great Britain is apparently big enough for the loot boxes for EA to continue to be worthwhile.
Source: via Eurogamer
Reference-www.pcgameshardware.de