Like it or not, loot boxes are now in almost every game, and they’ve turned into a massive revenue generator for game developers. However, they are almost always followed by controversy. Why?
Well, the idea to pay to get an in-game advantage sounds unfair, right? How would people who spent hundreds of hours building their ultimate team feel if some guy comes up with a team full of stars only by buying packs?
On top of that, we have the chance, which, to be honest, in some cases, feels like the system is rigged to keep you spending. You keep on buying packs hoping to get Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi, but you only get low-level players.
That’s why in some countries, games that have a built-in loot box system are banned.
But what’s the current situation of loot boxes in EAFC 25? Is it any better? We all know that they’ve tweaked the system, making it fairer, but how good is it?
What Are Loot Boxes, Anyway?
For those of you who have never spent a dime on in-game items, you are probably wondering what loot boxes are. Well, they are virtual treasure chests that you can buy with real money (or in-game currency), and they give you random in-game rewards. It’s kind of opening a Kinder Surprise egg, but instead of a toy, you get a skin, a player, or something totally useless.
In the situation of EAFC 25, these loot boxes primarily appear in the Ultimate Team mode (FUT), which is where players build their dream squads by collecting cards.
Now, if you’ve played FIFA for years, and now EAFC, you probably know that EA loves loot boxes.Why? Well, they’ve always been a cash cow for the company, which is why they sparked massive debates on whether or not this process is considered gambling.
They feel like a sneaky way for companies to milk players’ wallets, and if you’ve fallen for this trap, I don’t blame you.
Loot Boxes in EAFC 25
Although loot boxes or card packs in the EAFC have been in the center of the debate for years, they are still very much alive in the game.
It is not surprising that EA hasn’t ditched the system yet, despite years of backlash from fans and regulators.
In FUT, you can still find packs, which are the game’s version of loot boxes, and they can be purchased with points (which are purchased with real-world cash) or coins that you earn in-game.
They promise you big drops like Kilian Mbappé or Haaland, but the odds are quite slim, and in most cases, you’ll get low-level players, unless you are really lucky. To be honest, you’ll get better chances on the Kentucky Derby current odds.
No wonder EA is still keeping loot boxes (or packs), since their revenue has grown in the past couple of months, and although we still haven’t seen the full revenue growth for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, in December, they were up almost double digits. So, people are still buying them.
What’s New in EAFC 25?
EA didn’t just copy-paste last year’s system, though—they’ve tweaked things a bit. For EAFC 25, they’ve introduced “Preview Packs,” a feature that lets you peek inside a pack before you buy it. It’s like window shopping for virtual goodies!
You can see exactly what you’re getting—say, a bronze player and a couple of contracts—and decide if it’s worth your hard-earned FIFA Points. Once you preview, you’re locked into buying that specific pack or walking away.
This change, first rolled out in FIFA 21 and refined over the years, is EA’s attempt to dodge the “gambling” label. By showing you the contents, they argue it’s not a blind bet anymore. Sneaky or smart? You decide. Either way, it’s a small win for transparency, even if the rarest cards still feel like finding a unicorn in a haystack.
Are Loot Boxes Worth It?
Let’s talk odds—because who doesn’t love a bit of math with their football? EA publishes pack probabilities in-game, and for EAFC 25, the chance of pulling a player rated 85+ (a proper star) from a Premium Gold Players Pack is about 4.2%.
Want a “Team of the Season” card? That drops to under 1%. Meanwhile, the average cost of a decent pack is around 150 FIFA Points, or roughly $1.50 if you’re buying points in bulk.
So, if you drop $20 on FIFA Points, you might snag a couple of decent players—or you might end up with a bench full of 65-rated nobodies. It’s a rollercoaster, and the house (EA) always wins in the long run. Still, the thrill of that rare pull keeps players coming back like moths to a flame.
Gambling or Just Good Fun?
Loot boxes have been a hot potato for years, and EAFC 25 isn’t escaping the heat. Governments worldwide are cracking down—Belgium and the Netherlands have banned them outright, calling them gambling. In the UK, a 2024 study found that 1 in 10 kids who buy loot boxes show signs of problem gambling behavior (source: UK Gambling Commission, 2024 Report). EA’s response? They’ve doubled down, insisting FUT packs are “surprise mechanics” and part of the fun, not a slot machine.
Fans are split. Some love the dopamine hit of opening packs, while others rage on X about “pay-to-win” vibes ruining the game. One viral post from March 2025 summed it up: “EAFC 25 is just a $70 gateway to a $700 addiction. Fix your game, EA!” Ouch.
What are your thoughts? Do you love loot boxes or hate them?
