Electronic Arts shocks EA Sports FC 25 fans with a paid season pass: developers promise to closely monitor feedback
EA Sports sports simulators have always been famous for their microtransaction system, but this year the developers decided to go even further by announcing the first paid season pass for FC 25 in the history of the series. EA Sports assures that the Premium Pass is "purely an addition" to the existing free season pass, but many fans see it as another attempt to squeeze even more money out of players.
Here's What We Know
A "premium pass" for FC 25 can be purchased for 1000 FC Points (approximately $10) or 500,000 in-game UT Coins. For this money, players will receive trade packs, seasonal point boosters, additional player items, evolutionary consumables, and retro cosmetics. The official infographic shows all the content of the paid add-on in detail, and some elements will be exclusive to Premium Pass owners.
Premium Season Pass content (description from EA):
- Trade Packs: For the first time, seasonal rewards will include packs that can be transferred to other players.
- SP (Seasonal Points) boosters: Get 10,000 SP at level 20 of the Premium Pass, which will unlock up to 10 levels of both the paid and
- standard season passes.
- Player Items: TOTS Flashbacks and TOTS Honourable Mentions cards (based on performances in the 2024/25 season).
- Evolutionary consumables: Get consumables to improve your player's role (Role++) and playstyle (Playstyle+). Requirements for evolutions
- Retro Cosmetic Evolutions: Similar to the FUT Birthday cosmetic evolutions, there will be retro designs for Ultimate Team cards in the TOTS style.
EA Sports emphasises that the standard Season Pass will continue to function with the same rewards "as if the Premium Pass didn't exist". The company assured that it will not transfer rewards from the standard pass to the paid one.
The developers also said that they would closely monitor player feedback on the new Premium Pass to "ensure the best possible experience" and encouraged players to share their opinions on the EA Sports FC Discord channel or through the feedback portal.
However, the EA Sports FC subreddit is already experiencing a wave of outrage over the introduction of the paid season pass. Many commentators express disappointment and consider it another step towards aggressive monetisation by EA.
In general, EA games, especially sports simulators, are known for their richness in microtransactions, which bring the company significant profits. In the last fiscal quarter, EA's revenue from live services totalled USD 1.3 billion, while sales of full versions of games brought in only USD 600 million.
Source: EA
