EA FC No Longer Selling Lootboxes in South Korea: All Details

EA FC has decided to shut down the sale of loot boxes for its users based in the country of South Korea. This important update comes in light of the recent changes in South Korean law. South Korea has now joined the list of nations to take proactive actions against gambling within games. EA FC users from South Korea will no longer be able to use microtransactions to purchase loot boxes or in-game currency.

EA FC is one of the most popular football simulation video games in the world. The users of this game can create their ‘Ultimate Team’ consisting of top footballers across the globe and generations. The loot boxes house many players and items that can be utilised to upgrade the ultimate team of the user. However, the chance of getting the desired item from the loot boxes is not fixed due to their random nature. Hence, loot boxes have often been linked with gambling-like activity that may be very addictive and psychologically threaten younger players.

EA FC no Longer Selling Lootboxes in South Korea.

EA FC has decided to stop selling loot boxes to users in South Korea. This was EA FC's response to the newly formulated South Korean law, which states that the games need to disclose the odds of getting an item very clearly to the users. This law was passed to protect the interests of the players and improve the transparency standards within the game. Electronic Arts has made up its mind not to reveal the chances of getting the rewards from loot boxes and has opted to stop the sale of FC points in South Korea.

However, the prohibition of loot boxes is not going to be a hurdle in the release of the next iteration of the game in South Korea. As per Insider Gaming, FC26 will be launched in the country but without the loot box feature. The gambling aspect of FC 26 will be locked for South Koreans. The standard version of the game, EA FC 26, will be available for all South Koreans to purchase, but the sale of the Ultimate version of the game may be delayed in South Korea, as it includes some free FC points as a bonus.

EA FC Blocks microtransactions in South Korea

EA FC offers many virtual items, including players, player kits, and player celebrations, among other things, in exchange for real cash. Users can invest real money to unlock these items to get a better gaming experience. Electronic Arts offers these virtual in-game items in exchange for a hefty sum of money. These items not only improve the gameplay of the user but also make it easy for them to climb up the leaderboards faster than users who grind without the pay-to-win mechanics. EA FC has been forced to block the microtransactions in South Korea to align with the country's revised Game Industry Promotion Act in March 2023.

Previously, users were able to purchase FC points ( a type of EA FC currency) in exchange for real money to buy player packs that included many upgradable items. These items helped the players to improve their Ultimate team.