For FIFA fans, this will be some positive news among the many controversies the franchise has had in recent years tied to the loot box system FC 25 Coins games have in place. The ability to play the game via EA Play and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will mean that fans who are concerned about these controversies won't necessarily have to commit to a purchase of FIFA 25 directly. For EA, the sales that this new venture is likely to generate for FIFA 25 is most likely reason enough for the company to pursue it, although earning back some good faith from FIFA fans could be a motivating factor as well.

FIFA, the officially licensed soccer game series from Electronic Arts, is well-known for its heavy and often controversial microtransactions. The FIFA Ultimate Team game mode's FIFA packs remain at the heart of the ongoing conversation about loot boxes and gambling, yet are undeniably highly lucrative for EA. Now it appears that EA is considering expanding microtransactions, at least in FIFA 25. EA has recently added premium cosmetic purchases for FIFA 25's Ultimate Team to FIFA 25.

A May 1 update to FIFA 25 added a surprise to the game that few expected. Within the FIFA 25 Ultimate Team store is a new tab labeled Stadium. From the Stadium tab, players are able to make individual digital item purchases directly with either FIFA 25 FC 25 Ultimate Team coins or FIFA points. For the first time, EA is offering players an option to buy in-game cosmetics without forcing players to purchase randomized packs that may or may not give players what they want.

Available at the moment are four different items. These items are a tifo, a stadium theme, a home kit, and an away kit. There's also an option to purchase all four items in a single, discounted bundle. It's all very innocuous and regular, something that those familiar with live service games would expect to see in a digital content store. At first glance, it seems like a step in the right direction considering the lack of options otherwise available to players and general frustrations toward buy EAFC 25 Coins.