EA Investigates Reports of Employee Selling FIFA Ultimate Team Cards

EA announced a “thorough investigation” following the reports of a company employee selling FIFA Ultimate Team cards to players for thousands of dollars.

FIFA players are reporting their anger towards the developer via the hashtag #EAGATE, where it’s revealed the conversations of an EA Games employee selling rare Icon Cards.

One user revealed an offer for three Prime Icon Moment cards and two Team of the Year cards for €1,000. The astonishing price of the cards is justified by the seller due to the incredibly low drop rates of the card.

Another user reports an offer for three Moments and two Team of the Year cards for €1,700.

The seller claims to have an insider at EA that can deliver the Ultimate Team cards to the buyer’s account without the risk of a lifetime ban or EA Games to be aware of the transaction. The buyer will only have to provide the PSN ID and pay the price for the special rare card.

EA has released a public statement on Twitter promising swift action if the allegations are proven to real.

We are aware of the allegations currently circulating within our community related to FIFA 21 Ultimate Team items. A thorough investigation is underway, and if we identify improper conduct, we will take swift action.

We want to be clear — this type of behavior is unacceptable, and we in no way condone what is alleged to have happened here. We understand how this creates concern about unfair balance in the game and competition.

We will update the community as we get more clarity on the situation.

The European Parliament has examined the way Ultimate Team loot-boxes work and a study has found that EA Games might be implementing gameplay mechanics that create an “irresistible urge to play” and a “growing tension” that could only be relieved by playing.

Today’s reports may confirm that the in-game economy of Ultimate Team may be too much for younger players to participate without feeling overwhelmed by the competition and the desire to be the best. Europe will certainly have another proof of why loot-boxes must be only sold to adults.

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