FIFA 21 Ultimate Team players receive unexpected rewards after EA’s SBC bug fix
Introduction
In an unexpected turn of events, EA SPORTS’ attempt to rectify a Squad Building Challenge (SBC) reward issue in FIFA 21 Ultimate Team has resulted in an even more surprising outcome. While addressing missing rewards for some players, the developer inadvertently granted premium content to accounts that weren’t affected by the original bug.
The compensation error primarily impacted high-value SBCs like the Mid and Prime ICON Upgrades, though reports suggest the issue extended to other challenges as well.
The SBC Reward Mishap
The situation began when players completing certain SBCs didn’t receive their expected rewards, a recurring issue in FIFA titles that typically gets resolved through support tickets. However, EA’s March 16 fix took an unusual turn when their compensation system malfunctioned.
Through their official Twitter account @EASFCDirect, EA acknowledged they “incorrectly provided some non-impacted players with additional content” while distributing missing rewards. Surprisingly, they confirmed these accidental gifts wouldn’t be revoked, creating an uneven playing field in Ultimate Team.
When providing those players with the missing rewards, we also incorrectly provided some non-impacted players with additional content. Those players will be able to keep that content. (2/2)
— EA SPORTS FC Direct Communication (@EASFCDirect) March 16, 2021
Community Reaction
The FIFA community’s response has been overwhelmingly negative, with many players expressing frustration over the random distribution of high-value items. Reports surfaced of some accounts receiving multiple Mid ICON packs and Ultimate packs, as evidenced by player Liamy1983’s tweet to popular YouTuber Nepenthez.
I got 3 mid icon packs and 7 ultimates. Shud I open now or save. Afraid incase ea take them away
— William Murphy (@Liamy1983) March 15, 2021
This incident has reignited discussions about fairness in Ultimate Team’s reward systems, with many players questioning why EA wouldn’t either revoke the unintended rewards or distribute compensation equally to all players.
What This Means for Players
For FIFA 21 players, this situation presents both opportunity and frustration. Those who haven’t logged in recently should check their accounts, as they might find unexpected rewards waiting. However, the random nature of the distribution means many dedicated players received nothing while others hit the jackpot.
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This incident serves as a reminder to always document SBC completions with screenshots and to report missing rewards promptly through official channels. While EA has resolved this particular issue, their solution has created new questions about reward distribution fairness in Ultimate Team.
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