EA Sports FC 25 Introduces First Paid Battle Pass Amidst Mixed Reactions
In a move that has sparked both excitement and controversy, EA Sports FC 25 has introduced its first paid battle pass, marking a significant shift in the game’s monetisation strategy. According to a report by Eurogamer, the premium version of the Season 7 pass, priced at 500k in-game UT Coins or 1000 FC Points (approximately £9), will offer players access to 40 tiers of rewards, including tradeable packs, Season Point boosters, TOTS items, evolution consumables, and retro cosmetic evolutions.
At the centre of this new battle pass is an exclusive 96-rated Immortal Icon Franck Ribery, the former French winger who spent most of his career at Bayern Munich. This highly sought-after player is likely to be a major draw for many players, but not everyone is pleased with the introduction of a paid battle pass. As Eurogamer reports, some players have taken to social media to express their concerns, arguing that the move is “extremely greedy” and that locking exclusive content behind a paywall is not the right approach.
“Having Players EXCLUSIVE to the Paid Season pass is extremely greedy and is not the path to go down,” wrote social media user Wildcat. “If its packs/cosmetics/SP/kits im sure 99 percent of the community won’t mind. But locking a card like that Ribery behind a paywall??? Even if its only 500k coins its just greedy as hell.” However, not everyone shares this view, with some players pointing out that the rewards within the pass make up for its cost. “Don’t get the outrage,” wrote Norwich City supporter Callum. “I ain’t sticking up for EA but if that Ribery was an SBC everyone would be happy spending 500k on it. Let alone the other rewards (you even get coins back from tradable packs).”
In response to the backlash, EA Sports has stated that it will be monitoring player feedback to ensure that it delivers the best experience possible in the game’s various modes. Players can provide feedback via the EA Sports Discord or EA’s direct feedback portal. As Eurogamer notes, the paid battle pass is timed ahead of the game’s Team of the Season (TOTS) event, which is likely to be a major draw for many players.
The introduction of a paid battle pass in EA Sports FC 25 raises questions about the game’s monetisation strategy and the impact it may have on players. As Eurogamer reports, EA Sports recently stated that its upcoming Switch 2 versions of FC and Madden NFL would aim to have feature parity with other consoles “as much as the hardware allows.” This move is likely to be seen as a positive step by many players, but the introduction of a paid battle pass may be a more contentious issue.
In a recent review of EA Sports FC 25, Eurogamer’s Chris Tapsell noted that the game is “a new FC, with some genuine differences on- and off-pitch,” but also acknowledged that it is “the exact same FC it’s always been.” As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how EA Sports FC 25’s monetisation strategy will be received by players. One thing is certain, however: the introduction of a paid battle pass has sparked a lively debate about the game’s direction and the role of monetisation in modern gaming.
The paid battle pass is now live, with access available to players from 24th April. Whether or not it will prove to be a success remains to be seen, but as Eurogamer reports, the gaming community will be watching with interest. As the game’s developers continue to monitor player feedback, it is clear that the introduction of a paid battle pass is just the latest chapter in the ongoing story of EA Sports FC 25.
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