FIFA Players Furious After EA Employee Allegedly Sold Ultimate Team Cards For Thousands Of Dollars
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Featured Image Credit: EA
EA is in some hot water as potentially one of the biggest FIFA 21 scandals comes to light. There is evidence to suggest that an employee at EA has been selling top tier cards for thousands behind the scenes on the black market and players want answers.
EA and loot boxes (or 'surprise mechanics' as they're generously named sometimes) are systems in games that will randomly reward players with in-game items. For some titles like Overwatch or Apex Legends, these items are purely cosmetic and don't affect competitive gameplay - however, EA's loot boxes for FIFA 21 are considered more 'pay-to-win' than that.
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By opening Ultimate Team packs, you have the chance to gain better players to play with, which include Prime Icon Moments and Team of the Year cards - the best of the best. The Prime Moments commemorate specific incredible performances by the best players ever, and the Team of the Year are the best of the best playing currently.
Screenshots of a conversation have now surfaced showing a WhatsApp text with prices for a buyer. €1000 for two Prime Moments, €1400 for three, and €1700 for three prime moments with two Team of the Year players. What follows, after paying the money it seems, is the player's account showing that they now have three Prime Moments and two TOTY players.
So we grind/trade/open packs and can't touch these PIM players but EA employees sell them to people secretly for $1,700?!?! LOL I respect the grind but my god... pic.twitter.com/CCnhjZbcgH
- Nick :flag_ca: (@Nick28T) March 10, 2021
EA has responded to what people are calling #EAGate. The company has time and time again stressed that people should not be able to buy the players, always opting for the 'chance' to get these players rather than allowing the wealthiest FIFA fans to just gobble up an entire team of legendary players. However, this has broken the small bit of trust that the mechanic protected.
Video proof?!? I mean this could just be an EA Dev though or an actual employee? Who knows anymore. It's all allegations, let's just hope EA makes a statement on this and stays honest with us. #FUT21 #FIFA21 pic.twitter.com/lzqGMDE5S3
- Nick :flag_ca: (@Nick28T) March 10, 2021
On Twitter, EA says, "We are aware of the allegation currently circulating within our community related to FIFA 21 Ultimate Team items. A thorough investigation is underway, and if we identify improper conduct, we will take swift action. We want to be clear - this type of behaviour is unacceptable, and we in no way condone what is alleged to have happened here. We understand how this creates concern about unfair balance in the game and competition. We will update the community as we get more clarity on the situation."
Video proof?!? I mean this could just be an EA Dev though or an actual employee? Who knows anymore. It's all allegations, let's just hope EA makes a statement on this and stays honest with us. #FUT21 #FIFA21 pic.twitter.com/lzqGMDE5S3
- Nick :flag_ca: (@Nick28T) March 10, 2021