Shub Law is investigating video game developer, EA Sports, for deceptive marketing with their loot box packages. Video games Madden and FIFA use randomized loot boxes to incentivize consumers, but at what cost?
EA SPORTS ALLEGEDLY USING LOOT BOXES TO PROMOTE GAMBLING
A California-based lawsuit against EA claims that EA fails to disclose that the “Ultimate Team Packs” in Madden and FIFA are loot boxes. Because these games involve sport teams playing against each other, gamers purchase these packs for a chance at higher-tier players. Unfortunately, the lawsuit alleges that “common or undesirable” players are the most common in the packs. FIFA provides a “pack probability” only if gamers select “more info,” and the lawsuit alleges that the probability of receiving a player with an 80+ rating is less than 3%.
Because of California’s gambling laws, the Ultimate Team Packs become “nothing more than a gambling bet,” the lawsuit claims. Because it is unclear, and often unlikely, that gamers will receive the items and players that they want, the lawsuit continues “Purchased using real money, the Ultimate Team Packs are simply wagers on completely randomized chances within the game to win valuable professional players and other items for the EA gamer’s virtual sports team.”
HOW LOOT BOXES TAKE YOUR TIME AND MONEY
Video game developers have used loot boxes for a long time now, where players can purchase randomized items to use in-game through either extended gameplay hours or real-world money. During the pandemic, more and more game developers have gained consumers’ attention, with consumers having more time to spend on video games. An increasing trend in video games is to include a chance at high powered items or ways to advance the game forward through these loot boxes. Due to this, gamers will spend hours, and hundreds of dollars on random chance, with one plaintiff claiming they spent “an excess of $600” for a chance at valuable players.
Recently, other game developers, like Epic Games’ Fortnite or Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour, have come under fire for their loot box practices. Often, developers will design games so that it becomes increasingly difficult to proceed without loot box purchases, which the lawsuit calls “demand through inconvenience.” For a market that is supposed to bring consumers pleasure and stress relief, we can’t let developers take advantage of our money!
LET’S FIGHT BACK AGAINST EA SPORTS AND OTHER DEVELOPERS FOR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CONSUMERS!
During a time where personal entertainment is so important, we expect our choice of where to receive that entertainment respected. What we should not expect is companies ignoring state laws and deceiving consumers. We’re here to fight for consumers who have been misled by deceptive marketing. At Shub Law, our attorneys specialize in representing consumers who are victims of deceptive marketing practices, like those committed by companies making false and misleading marketing claims about their products.
CONTACT US TODAY!
If you or someone you know was deceived by loot box practices from either EA Sports games or other common game developers, contact us right away! Please contact us via email at leads@shublawyers.com or give us a call at 856-772-7200. Shub Law Firm is a national leader in representing consumers, just like you, who have been scammed by big companies that put profit over their customers. Our experienced class action attorneys are here to help you get justice. All consultations are free of charge.
