Gamer Trymacs Refuses to Participate in FC25 due to Unlawful Gambling Elements in Loot Boxes
YouTube and Twitch star Trymacs (30) has slammed EA Sports FC25's pay-to-win features, particularly the Ultimate Team mode's loot boxes, as illegal gambling. This has accelerated the debate surrounding digital loot boxes, which has also gained traction in Germany.
Trymacs slams EA's unfair strategies
Based on Inside Gaming, Trymacs, the renowned streamer, has heavily criticized EA Sports FC25 and its Ultimate Team mode, labeling it as utilizing illegal gambling mechanisms. With a YouTube following of 2.35 million subscribers, the internet sensation, recognized for his streams on Twitch, compares the game's loot box system to real-world gambling and emphasizes that players often spend significant sums without guaranteed rewards.
Although Trymacs, who has publicly decided to avoid FIFA, has continued to convey this message to his fans, he has also expressed concerns regarding the impact of such mechanics on young people. He criticizes EA for only vaguely disclosing the chances of obtaining valuable players, causing players to invest money without a guaranteed payoff.
FIFA's loot boxes
In FIFA’s/EA Sports FC's Ultimate-Team mode, loot boxes (packs) randomly contain in-game items such as rare players, jerseys, stadium customizations, or contract cards. These loot boxes can be acquired with real money (FIFA Points/FC Points) or by earning in-game currency through matches and challenges.
The exact contents of the boxes are unknown until they're opened. Obtaining desirable players is uncommon, leading players to spend large sums to boost their chances.
Trymacs' stance on FIFA and EAFC has been nuanced since 2022. Driven by spending over 20,000 EUR on in-game points and packs, he publicly criticized EA and was subsequently blacklisted by the company.
Loot boxes: A gold mine for companies like EA
Loot boxes have proven to be a highly profitable venture for developers and publishers. Valve, the US game developer, is reported to have made almost 1 billion USD from loot boxes in Counter Strike alone in 2023. EA also generated over 1.5 billion USD in revenue from the Ultimate Team mode in FIFA 23, with a significant portion stemming from microtransactions and loot boxes. Additionally, EA's overall revenue from live services and other sources amounted to around 5.5 billion USD, representing about 74% of its total net revenue.
However, the loot box controversy isn't without consequences. Last year, the US industry leader was fined 10,800 EUR in Austria. The Regional Court for Civil Matters in Vienna ruled that loot boxes in FIFA constitute an illegal gambling form.
More significantly, the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK) restricted the sale of the latest edition, FC24, only to those aged 12 and above. The decision was made due to the game's gambling-like elements.
While Belgium and the Netherlands have outright banned loot boxes, Germany is still catching up. Nonetheless, the debate surrounding virtual treasure chests is growing louder here.
Ban on loot boxes: Where and why?
Loot boxes are banned or under consideration in numerous countries. In Belgium and the Netherlands, they were classified as illegal gambling, thus being prohibited as they violate gambling regulations. The UK, Spain, Germany, and Australia are also actively discussing potential regulations or bans. Critics view loot boxes as a gambling risk, with players paying for uncertain contents without knowing their rewards.
Consumer centers and addiction experts are expressing concern over statistics such as those mentioned above. For instance, Lower Saxony's Consumer Center highlights several problems related to loot boxes. Producers excessively advertise such content, which can result in numerous small purchases that add up to significant sums. Moreover, developers tend to target young people, who may be more susceptible to gambling addiction.
Loot boxes encourage spending money, particularly among inexperienced consumers such as children and young people, who may be unaware of the financial ramifications of their purchases. – Sabrina Wagner, Market Observation Digital at vzbw, German Federal Association of Consumer Organizations
On the other hand, WestLotto's recent initiative against loot boxes has sparked controversy. With the new GAMESHIFT NRW prevention project, the state lottery company aims to raise awareness of the risks associated with loot boxes and gambling in video games in general. WestLotto also proposed updating the Youth Protection Act in 2023, aiming to redefine loot boxes as gambling-like elements in the law.
The industry association GAME responded with surprise to this initiative, with CEO Felix Falk asserting that there are no regulatory gaps and that player feedback is considered. In recent years, loot box offers have been voluntarily adjusted based on community feedback. This includes, for example, specifying chances for certain contents or displaying all contents in the loot box before purchase.
The issue has likewise surfaced in Germany's political sphere. As an illustration, the SPD, Green Party, and Die Linke faction in Bremen's Senate submitted a petition in January this year, advocating for a nationwide prohibition of loot boxes. However, the CDU, FDP, and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen gradually voiced their opposition to this initiative. It remains to be seen if this proposition will come to fruition. Initially, it needs clearance from the Bundesrat, a venue where a similar proposal met its demise back in 2017.
Despite the controversy surrounding digital loot boxes, some online casinos in Germany have started integrating them into their games, citing similarities with gambling. Trymacs, a prominent critic of loot boxes, has expressed his concern about the potential for addiction among young players.
This move by some online casinos in Germany has further fueled the debate about the legality and ethical implications of loot boxes, particularly in light of Trymacs' arguments that they resemble illegal gambling.
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