In a recent earnings call, Andrew Wilson, CEO of EA, had the following to say in regards to loot boxes:

We're working with all the industry associations globally and with regulators in various jurisdictions and territories, many of whom we've been working with for some time and have evaluated and established that programs like FIFA Ultimate Team are not gambling. And we don't believe that FIFA Ultimate Team – all loot boxes are gambling.

The news come after the recent decision in several countries to seek the ban of loot boxes which have been considered a form of gambling. EA even seemed to right the wrongs after announcing that it will remove the pay-to-win system from Battlefront II and introduce another system. While the debate about whether loot boxes should be considered as gambling is still ongoing, EA does not think so, with Wilson further giving the following argument:

Firstly, players always receive a specified number of items in each FUT pack. And secondly, we don't provide or authorize any way to cash out or sell items in virtual currency for real-world money. And there's no way we can make value assign to FUT items in game currency. And while we forbid the transfer of items of in-the-game currency outside, we also actively seek to eliminate that where it's going on in an illegal environment, and we work with regulators in various jurisdictions to achieve that.

And so net-net, we're going to continue to push forward. We're always thinking about our players. We're always thinking about how to deliver these types of experiences in a transparent, fun, fair, and balanced way for our players. And we'll communicate with regulators around the world on it.

So what do you think? Is EA right to hold its ground when it comes to loot boxes? Or is it on its way to win "Worst Company in America" once more?

SOURCE

 

[buda81]

This is going to back fire so big on them.

 

[Justinde75]

They are going to keep pushing it hahahaha
This is great

 

[RedoLane]

I can already hear the screams of the global angry crowds

 

[SkittleDash]

Oh wow... I swear EA aims to be the most hated company of all time. Soon, we'll be seeing loot boxes in games like Sims. Oh, you want that sweet TV? Only available in our premium pack of 5 loot boxes for $20.

 

[Viri]

It sure is a good thing that EA doesn't make any games that I give a fuck about.

 

[AxlSt00pid]

So how much time will it take until they keep pushing it and the balloon explodes?

 

[Sonic Angel Knight]

Good bye, ea, hardly knew you, still hardly knew you, and I never cared or played any games by this developer.

 

[CallmeBerto]

Errrr while mostly everyone here bitches you must understand it works. So why would they keep doing it?

 

[Chary]

I'm shocked, no, really.

 

[Ysle29]

And we don't believe that FIFA Ultimate Team – all loot boxes are gambling.

The thing is, not a single jurisdiction gives a fuck whether EA thinks loot boxes are gambling or not. In the end the law will decide what's gambling and what's not.

 

[RustInPeace]

That's pretty funny, like the corporate version of certain celebrities that are like "In one ear, out the other."

 

[Chary]

The same earnings call also mentioned that this is one of EA's highest grossing years. Despite the flak they catch over lootboxes, clearly it's rolling the money in for them, so why in the world would they stop? The only way this will stop if you get the government involved in the gaming industry further to outlaw such practices.

 

[SonowRaevius]

 

[Deleted User]

EA isn't relying on hardcore or even core gamers to make their money off lootboxes. They're relying on their casual players who are willing to drop a few bucks here and there on a loot box every week or so.

So while this definitely isn't going to help their PR, I think they'll be more successful than we think in doing this, unfortunately. Hopefully countries that have already passed laws against lootboxes will remain stoic on this sort of stuff.

"Games as a service" my ass.

 

[Axido]

EA, the Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz of gaming. You know he's the villain, but you don't really hate him for that. Instead you actually like to watch him fail over and over again.

 

[PhyChris]

remembers NHL 94. oh EA how far u fall

 

[BORTZ]

Good for them.

Loot boxes aren't gambling.

Thinking that loot boxes are gambling comes from a fundamental misunderstand of gambling is. Don't misunderstand, loot boxes are manipulative and should be regulated. Parents should know what they are, warned, monitored. But loot boxes are no different than buying Pokemon card booster packs. But no company in the gaming industry should have to change their policies because the player base is uneducated.

If you don't like them (like me) then play around them or find ways to aquire the game in question's premium currency without spending actual money. Those of you who are weak to manipulative schemes like these? Deal with it. Overcome temptation and grow up.

 

[WeedZ]

"Sir, our numbers are way down after the battlefront disaster. What should we do?"

"We need to push more loot boxes"

 

[Plstic]

The last EA game I bought was Skate 3. The whole online pass shenanigans put a sour taste in my mouth.