EA Sports FC 26 players were caught exploiting a pricing bug by using VPNs to purchase FC points at a significantly reduced rate, leading EA to take strong action against those involved.
Pricing Glitch and VPN Abuse
The pricing bug occurred when EA mistakenly listed the cost of FC points on Indonesian servers as 2,000 rupiah (approximately $1) instead of the actual 2 million rupiah. This error enabled players to use VPNs to take advantage of the substantial price difference. The exploit, which spread rapidly among players, allowed the construction of overpowered gaming teams at minimal cost.
Some users identified a potential trigger for the glitch, pointing to issues with Apple Pay. Reports indicate that the correct amount displayed on devices, but processed erroneously during payment.
EA's Response and Warnings
In response to the exploit, EA swiftly suspended or banned accounts abusing the error. The company emphasized its commitment to maintaining fair play standards within the game community. EA rectified the pricing error, but not before the exploit had seen a number of users gain an unfair advantage.
EA warns players that using VPNs to bypass regional pricing or engage in similar exploits endangers account integrity and may lead to broader consequences, such as the banning of VPN IPs. However, the legitimate use of VPNs for performance reasons remains supported.
Community and Technical Implications
The incident has sparked a debate over the role of payment platforms like Apple Pay in the mispricing event. The community is divided over whether the platforms or EA should bear responsibility. Despite this, the technical problem seems to have been resolved, restoring trust among EA's player base.
