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The plaintiffs alleged that EA was using its 'Dynamic DIfficulty Adjustment' technology to keep people buying loot boxes.
In November 2020, Electronic Arts was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging that its patented Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment technology was being used in games like FIFA Ultimate Team to push players into buying loot boxes. The plaintiffs claimed that the system adjusts player stats behind the scenes to make them seem weaker in the game than their listed abilities might suggest, which would nudge people into springing for player packs in hopes of finding someone better to add to their lineup.
The lawsuit claimed:
"This is a self-perpetuating cycle that benefits EA to the detriment of EA Sports gamers, since Difficulty Adjusting Mechanisms make gamers believe their teams are less skilled than they actually are, leading them to purchase additional Player Packs in hopes of receiving better players and being more competitive,"
Today, however, EA announced that the lawsuit has now been withdrawn, saying that the plaintiffs dismissed their claims after it provided them with "detailed technical information and access to speak with our engineers."
"While EA does own a patent for DDA technology, that technology never was in FIFA, Madden or NHL, and never will be," it said in a statement.
"We would not use DDA technology to give players an advantage or disadvantage in online multiplayer modes in any of our games and we absolutely do not have it in FIFA, Madden or NHL."
In November 2020, Electronic Arts was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging that its patented Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment technology was being used in games like FIFA Ultimate Team to push players into buying loot boxes. The plaintiffs claimed that the system adjusts player stats behind the scenes to make them seem weaker in the game than their listed abilities might suggest, which would nudge people into springing for player packs in hopes of finding someone better to add to their lineup.
The lawsuit claimed:
"This is a self-perpetuating cycle that benefits EA to the detriment of EA Sports gamers, since Difficulty Adjusting Mechanisms make gamers believe their teams are less skilled than they actually are, leading them to purchase additional Player Packs in hopes of receiving better players and being more competitive,"
Today, however, EA announced that the lawsuit has now been withdrawn, saying that the plaintiffs dismissed their claims after it provided them with "detailed technical information and access to speak with our engineers."
"While EA does own a patent for DDA technology, that technology never was in FIFA, Madden or NHL, and never will be," it said in a statement.
"We would not use DDA technology to give players an advantage or disadvantage in online multiplayer modes in any of our games and we absolutely do not have it in FIFA, Madden or NHL."
FIFA 'dynamic difficulty' lawsuit dropped after plaintiffs talk to EA's engineers
The plaintiffs alleged that EA was using its 'Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment' technology to keep people buying loot boxes.
www.pcgamer.com