With the title Update 5, a new tool for FIFA 21 was released. FIFA Playtime is currently still disabled, but it is known what it entails. You can track your FIFA Points and keep an eye on your spending related to the game. This can be useful, especially if you invest a lot of money in Ultimate Team.
What is the tool about? FIFA Playtime is a new tool to track your spending on FIFA Points. It is aimed at both parents who want to monitor their children and adult players. This way, you can use it to keep your spending in check.
Colleagues from Eurogamer had already found out before the release what Playtime is all about:
- The tool tells you how much playtime you have in FIFA 21
- It also reveals how many FIFA Points you have spent so far
- You can set Playtime Limits on how many FIFA Points you want to spend and how many FUT Packs you want to open
- Even purchases made through third-party providers are accounted for by the tool
However, the tool does not show you exactly how much money you have spent in Euros at the end. According to Eurogamer, this is because EA cannot track the various providers and therefore cannot account for price differences.
However, you can calculate your FIFA Points yourself, as long as you always use the same source for it.
When will the tool go live? FIFA Playtime was released alongside various gameplay adjustments in title Update 5. However, the tool is not yet active.
When exactly Playtime will be activated has not yet been revealed.
Innovation within the “Positive Gaming” project
Why is EA introducing this innovation? FIFA Playtime is part of the “Positive Gaming” project, which EA launched back in 2019. This aims to encourage players to approach their games and the surrounding community in a more positive way.
So far, adjustments to community guidelines, the promotion of inclusive gaming, and new ways to report toxic behavior have already been introduced in this context.
FIFA Playtime addresses the aspect of loot boxes. After all, in FIFA 21, one can buy new players for real money within Ultimate Team. A loot box is used here, which according to EA does not violate gambling laws.
However, courts in some countries see it differently:
- In the Netherlands, a court ruling has penalized EA
- In Belgium, some users cannot purchase FIFA Points at all. There was already a legal dispute in 2019 where EA conceded
Indeed, many FIFA fans invest dozens of Euros every year into Ultimate Team mode. Streamers in particular attract attention this way.
For example, Trymacs has invested 4,000 Euros in FIFA 21 and waited after the purchase.
Have you already invested money in FIFA 21? And will you use the tool to check how much it was? Or do you see it more as a parental control for parents?
