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EA has responded to criticism aimed at recent changes made to FIFA 15 Ultimate Team.
The publisher implemented new price ranges for all players in Ultimate Team earlier this month in an effort to restrict illegal coin sellers and farmers, but the move was met with harsh criticism by many Ultimate Team fans.
Today’s blog post, however, explains the publisher’s reason for introducing the changes, citing the desire for a level playing field for both novice and hardcore players alike.
“What are we trying to achieve with these changes?” the post asks. “It’s simple – we want to keep the game fair and secure for everyone, and ensure a level playing field for all FUT fans.
“To accomplish this we have to root out the activities of coin farmers and cheaters who are harming your experience with the game. These exploiters generate coins illegitimately in the FUT economy through the use of bots and phishing scams, creating a flood of fraudulent in-game currency and driving up the cost of players on the Transfer Market.
“This inflation fundamentally damages the economy, making top players unattainable for the vast majority of FUT fans who are not exploiting the system and who simply want to play the right way.”
However, with the implementation of minimum and maximum prices for players, much of the criticism levied at EA claims that some players have either become unsellable or unattainable. Daniel Sturridge was one such player mentioned as being priced out of the market, and whose value has since been adjusted by EA.
“Since implementing these changes, we’re seeing positive signs of restoring balance to the FUT economy and mitigating some of the negative effects of exploitation within the game,” the blog adds.
EA then details the effect seen by the implementation of price ranges, including the adjustment of 650 individual player cards and unique prices for each platform according to their respective markets.
“Since the introduction of Price Ranges, we’ve already made more than 650 adjustments to player pricing, with a focus on the highest value players available in the FUT economy,” EA says. “The introduction of Price Ranges has helped restrict illegitimate coin transfers on the FUT Transfer Market, and balance player item prices so they reflect the current marketplace, but finding that right balance will take some time – we have a team dedicated to finding that balance.”
To make #FUT fair and secure we have to stop coin farmers and sellers who harm the game. http://t.co/d12tXxgnxV
— EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) March 25, 2015
It’s quite clear that EA has heard the criticism from fans regarding the changes, but it doesn’t seem likely that it will be reverting back to the old setup any time soon.
What do you think about the introduction of price ranges? Has it helped or hindered your experience in Ultimate Team? Let us know in the comments or send us a tweet.
Source: @EASportsFIFA, EASports
