A coalition of 15 advocacy groups sent an open letter to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) yesterday, asking the regulator to investigate the "abuse of manipulative design" in FIFA, especially the ultimate team model with a paid unpacking system.
Under the leadership of fairplay and the center for digital democracy, these groups have repeatedly quoted the recently released report of the Norwegian Consumer Council to describe their view that FIFA uses children's lack of financial knowledge and understanding of odds to set up some opaque models.
Josh Golin, executive director of fairplay, said that by constantly promoting premium star cards that are paid to win, EA is taking advantage of children's psychology of keeping up with their friends. In fact, most adults draw cards, let alone children, and it is impossible to determine their chances of obtaining coveted cards or the true value and price of the cards. The FTC must use its powers to investigate these design abuses and determine how many children and adolescents are exploited by EA.
This letter expressed concern about some practices of EA, such as requiring the use of multiple virtual currencies to purchase ultimate team card packages, so as to materialize their actual costs. It also objected to the odds published by EA, which "results are so extensive that they are meaningless to game players", lack of control to keep children away from the game mode, and games may become a platform for gambling on dogs. In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission of the United States discussed the phenomena such as out of box card drawing in electronic games, but did not take any practical action.
At present, a representative of EA has responded to this. He said that the purpose of the company's game design is to provide players with choice, fun, fairness and value. In all EA games, including FIFA, whether consumption is mandatory has always been an option. Most players have chosen EA, hoping that all players can have a positive experience in the company's games. The company is also trying to provide as much information and control as possible for players and parents, so as to make wise choices for themselves and their children.
EA also said that the company encourages the use of parental controls applicable to each major game platform (including EA's own platform), including expenditure controls. The company also launched FIFA playtime to let players know their game time, card drawing details and point purchase. The company has been listening to the suggestions of the community and actively investing in games to make them better and more interesting for every player.
