Gamers Complain Microtransactions in Games are a Scam

Consumers have been recently complaining that they have all but forced into spending an exorbitant amount of money on microtransactions in games.

In-game purchases are very common in the gaming community and are especially prevalent in games like FIFA 18 and FIFA 19 games. Gamers are often required to pay microtransactions in games for customization options and other in-game benefits.

Also called “Packs,” “Loot Boxes,” or “Prize Crates,” microtransactions in games allow players to purchases virtual items with real money. These items are supposed to allow gamers rare customization options for their characters, such as armor and weapons in MMOs, or the ability to pick their dream soccer team in the FIFA 18 and FIFA 19 games.

The FIFA soccer game series is rather self explanatory. The object of the game is to win as many matches as possible with the most variety of players and strategies. According to an article from the website Polygon, FIFA 18 allowed its players to earn in-game currency to build their “Ultimate Team” that consists of their favorite soccer players.

While microtransactions in games are a common practice for FIFA 18 and FIFA 19, it can severely affect players’ wallets. This is especially true for gamers who want top players, with many of them opting just to spend real money on microtransactions or participate in trades to upgrade at a faster rate.

In addition, game maker EA Vancouver also organizes challenges and tournaments that can up what players earn in game currency. But some consumers allege the Ultimate Team marketing strategy is designed to make gamers spend more money because of the long amount of time is needed to earn in-game currency.

For example, professional FIFA YouTuber Goran Popovic told Polygon it can take hundreds of hours of gameplay to earn a player like Cristiano Ronaldo. In contrast, Popovic stated he and a friend had spent $500 between in one in-game microtransaction to get a top player as their goalie.

“I get that Ultimate Team was designed to make money for EA, lots of money. But the balance has shifted from a good game with microtransactions to one where you kind of need to spend money to save time, unless you’re super lucky or one of the greatest players,” Popovic told Polygon.

Overview of Microtransactions In Games

Microtransactions in games started appearing in North America and Europe in 2009 in free social media games, spurring the troubling trend for gamers.

Gaming companies saw a lucrative market in the convenience of microtransactions, with gamers not having to spend large amounts of time earning in-game currency. The first packaged game to offer microtransactions in games was released by EA in Mass Effect 3.

However, microtransactions in games have been increasingly losing their welcome in the gaming community, as this practice drew criticism in October 2017. It even got the attention of government officials, with many of them questioning the legality surrounding microtransactions.

The practice of microtransactions in games has recently spurred a class action investigation, covering games including but not limited to:

• Fortnite
• DOTA 2
• Counterstrike
• Legendary Game of Heroes
• FIFA 18
• FIFA 19

Join a Free Video Game In-Game Purchases Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

Did you or your child make in-game purchases while playing one or more of the following video games?

• Fortnite
• DOTA 2
• Counterstrike
• Legendary Game of Heroes
• FIFA 18
• FIFA 19

If you or your child made in-game purchases in the course of playing any of the video games listed above, you may qualify to join this video game class action lawsuit investigation. Filing or joining a class action lawsuit could help you in getting compensation for the money spent on items that allegedly failed to provide the value promised by these gaming companies.

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