FIFA 23: EA defends loot boxes because FUT players love them

Electronic Arts has called the loot box mechanic in FIFA 23 fair and an integral part of the game that players love.

Loot boxes and other random-based microtransaction practices continue to cause heated debates within the gaming community. Electronic Arts in particular has repeatedly come under criticism in the past.

In conversation with Eurogamer the Canadian company has now commented on the subject and defended the FUT packs contained in the Ultimate Team mode of the upcoming soccer simulation FIFA 23.

Allowing players to spend money on randomized player packs is fair and an integral part of FIFA that players would love:

“We wholeheartedly believe that Ultimate Team and FUT Packs, which have been part of the game for well over a decade, are a part of FIFA that players love. Fans love that the game reflects the real-world excitement and strategy of building and managing a team. It’s fair to give players the choice to spend money if they want to.”

“It’s worth noting that spending is entirely optional in our game, and we do not encourage spending rather than earning rewards through gameplay. FUT Packs work the same whether they are purchased or earned, and most players do not spend any money in-game at all. For example, nine out of ten FUT packs opened in FIFA 22 were earned.”

FIFA 23 will be released on September 30th for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC and Stadia.