The latest entry in the popular series of football sports games has stirred up controversy, specifically the FC 24 Coins Ultimate Team mode, where players can put together a custom team from any of the players in the game. Of course, the players are acquired from loot boxes, which players are encouraged to buy with real money. The controversy isn't about the loot boxes themselves this time, but rather a document about them.

According to the CBC, several internal EA documents were leaked to it by a "gaming insider," who claims that the documents show that EA is trying to manipulate players into spending more money on the mode. The 54 page document apparently comes from EA's sports division, headquartered in Burnaby, British Colombia, Canada. It takes the form of a presentation with slides and bullet points.

According to the presentation, EA claims that the FIFA Ultimate Team mode is the "cornerstone" of the FIFA 22. and the company is doing everything it can to funnel players from the game's other modes to FC 24 Ultimate Team, where they will be encouraged to spend money on loot boxes. In recent years, multiple different studies have been released showing a link between loot boxes and problem gambling. So, by funneling more players to the mode, EA likely hopes to make them habitual spenders on loot boxes in the FC 24 Ultimate Team mode.

The reaction to these documents isn't too unexpected; FIFA 's Ultimate Team mode has already seen its share of controversy. A class action lawsuit was filed in Canada last year alleging that the company was running an illegal gambling operation. Outside of Canada, the company was also hit with a massive fine over cheap EAFC 24 Coins Ultimate Team mode in Holland, where the government claimed it was violating the country's gambling laws. It's likely that this recent leak will only add more fuel to the regulatory fire.