Part 7/9:
EA’s History of Poor Practices: Microtransactions and Lazy Releases
EA’s greed isn’t limited to ad sneaking or minimal content; their notorious use of microtransactions and loot boxes has caused scandal and outrage. From the outrage over the loot box controversy in Battlefront 2 to the aggressive microtransactions in FIFA and Madden, players have repeatedly voiced their disgust. Yet, EA seems unphased, gradually normalizing these practices.
Conversely, some developers like CD Projekt Red set a different standard—offering free upgrades for their previous titles, like The Witcher 3’s next-gen enhancements, demonstrating a respect for consumers. This contrast highlights EA's reputation as a company more interested in squeezing profits than fostering genuine fan engagement.