Popular soccer simulator FIFA 21 is tweaking its loot box system under growing scrutiny from world governments and gamers. The latest entry in the famous franchise will now allow players to see the contents of a loot box before finalizing their purchase. This change is part of a larger move by Electronic Arts to shift away from randomized microtransactions.

The loot box system, most prevalent in the Ultimate Team (FUT) game mode, was implemented as a tool that players could use to build their dream soccer team. Criticism of this system, as well as loot box systems in other games, focuses mainly on its similarity to gambling as players are required to spend real-world money in exchange for in-game items of varying value. The competitive and addictive nature of game modes like FUT has led to countries like Brazil outright banning loot box features in games entirely.

Related: How In-Game Microtransactions Became Such A Widespread Problem

A breakdown of the new "Preview Pack" system by Eurogamer outlines the changes to the loot box system. The pack-opening animation that previously played after a player purchased a pack will now play before they select the "buy pack" option. Allowing the customer to see the contents of the pack could arguably lead to them making an informed purchase, steering the system away from gambling comparisons.

EA Sports FIFA 21 FUT Pro Clubs

Loot boxes are an insanely profitable business practice, so it is unlikely that EA will ever completely move on from them in its games. However, the growing public distaste of the system and the burgeoning legal barricades are making the implementation of the system harder and harder. Removing the "going in blind" aspect of the loot box transaction essentially makes them more akin to traditional DLC purchases, adding a bit more complexity and ambiguity to the issue.

Even if this change helps EA skirt past legal confrontation, the company's use of microtransactions is going to continue to be a major point of contention within the gaming community. Players might know what they are getting into before putting their money down, but the existence of purchasable player cards in FUT still breaks progression for anyone not interested in spending anything beyond the game's price tag. Getting your dream FIFA 21 team is almost impossible without coughing up extra cash, and upcoming entries in the series are sure to make the progression curve more grueling, boring, and frustrating to encourage players to give in and pay for a better team. Loot boxes, randomized or not, have led to a game development philosophy built around addiction, where the less fun a game is, the more profitable it can be.

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Source: Eurogamer