Loot boxes often get a mixed review from people, some love it, and some despise them with every fibre of their being. But one thing that’s for sure is that people hate it when EA talks about Loot Boxes. After the fiasco that was Star Wars Battlefront II and the amount of push-back they got, it’s no surprise they’re in this position now. The push-back even made them redesign the way the game works. And with that, EA is now under fire for FIFA Ultimate team and card packs. This has even caught the eye of watchdog groups and governmental organisations.

I mean, I get it, loot boxes at it’s very core is gambling and companies which are trying to say otherwise, are thinking about the monetary aspect of it all. Check out the video above and see how mental people can get about things. Kerry Hopkins, EA’s VP of legal and government affairs insists that EA’s randomised purchased aren’t loot boxes, but rather “surprise mechanics”.

Later, in an oral evidence session with the UK Parliament’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committe, Hopkins had the audacity to compare the game’s mechanics to toys. I mean, sure, I guess that’s a point. He brings up Kinder Eggs, Hatchimals, or LOL Surprise.

The big difference, Hopkins, is that the money the company makes and how easily accessible and addictive loot boxes can be. People will always feel like something better is around the corner. Just spend another few 100 Dollars or Ringgit, right?

In response to questions from Brendan O’Hara, Scottish National Party MP, Hopkins says;

“We do think the way that we have implemented these kinds of mechanics – and FIFA of course is our big one, our FIFA Ultimate Team and our packs – is actually quite ethical and quite fun, quite enjoyable to people.

“We do agree with the UK gambling commission, the Australian gambling commission, and many other gambling commissions that they aren’t gambling, and we also disagree that there’s evidence that shows it leads to gambling. Instead we think it’s like many other products that people enjoy in a healthy way, and like the element of surprise.”

So, let’s recap, shall we? He then goes on to say that it’s ‘quite ethical’ because people enjoy them? What’s ethical about teaching kids about gambling early on, and not being responsible or held accountable for your actions? There’s a reason that odds being displayed, or even loot boxes being banned outright is happening around the world. In fact, it was such a problem that EA themselves had to remove it from Battlefront II. Need I say more? EA, you’ve gained a reputation of being the worst of the worst. Maybe it’s time to step back, and listen to your fans every once in a while. And also governmental bodies. You should probably listen to them too.