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FIFA will now let you see what's inside of FUT Packs before buying them

A new update will let players see what's inside of FIFA Ultimate Team packs before they purchase them.

June 18, 2021 9:20 AM

EA has been under heavy fire for years for its use of microtransactions, particularly in the FIFA franchise. With legal pressure from the European government, we’ve seen EA make changes to the way FIFA Ultimate Team packs (loot boxes) work in the soccer game, such as adding the rarity percentage for different card types. Now, EA Sports is making the process even more transparent, as FIFA will now allow players to check and see what’s inside of FUT packs before they buy them.

EA Sports revealed the change in the latest patch notes for FIFA 21. The game is currently in the midst of its Festival of FUTball event, bringing about special content to the FIFA Ultimate Team Mode. Now, when players go to the store to purchase a FUT pack, they will have the option to preview it. This will show all of the cards included in the pack. From here, players can opt to move forward and purchase the pack, or back out and decline.

If players choose not to purchase a previewed pack. A 24-hour timer will begin. Once that timer runs out, the pack will reset, getting rid of the old cards and replacing it with a fresh new set, which players can once again preview. Packs that players earn through in-game challenges and such will continue to operate as they did before.

For those that are unfamiliar, FIFA Ultimate Team is a mode in the series in which players collect cards and assemble their own team of past and present soccer players. The game allows players to purchase FUT packs, which are essentially loot boxes. They contain mystery cards that weren’t revealed until purchased. It has led to harsh feedback from the community, and was noted in our review of FIFA 21 last year.

This of course comes after continued legal pressure from forign governments. The FIFA games have already drawn the ire of the UK government, which investigated the game over concerns of gambling. This prompted EA Sports to add the rarity probabilities to card packs. Now, players will be able to see exactly what’s in a pack before they plunk down their cash. It’s likely that this feature will be present in the upcoming FIFA 22.

Donovan Erskine

News Editor

Donovan is a journalist from Maryland. His oldest gaming memory is playing Pajama Sam on his mom's desktop during weekends. Pokémon Emerald, Halo 2, and the original Star Wars Battlefront 2 were some of the most influential titles in awakening his love for video games. After interning for Shacknews throughout college, Donovan graduated from Bowie State University in 2020 with a major in broadcast journalism and joined the team full-time. He is a huge film fanatic and will talk with you about movies and games all day. You can follow him on twitter @Donimals_

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June 18, 2021 9:20 AM

Donovan Erskine posted a new article, FIFA will now let you see what's inside of FUT Packs before buying them
- derelict515
  
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  June 18, 2021 10:01 AM
  
  I guess that’s a good way to prove it’s not gambling now.
  - Masem
    
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    June 18, 2021 11:57 AM
    
    There's still going to be some "normal" loot box packs after this event, so they aren't completely abandoning it, but they do seem to be testing its waters.
    
    But yes, it eliminates most factors that would be tied to gambling. Its still "random" but if you don't like the random selection that day, don't buy and come back the next day.