Let’s settle this once and for all – Is advanced access in video games a problematic practice or not?

Alright, I’ve never been a big fan of corporate thinking. The other day, I read on social media that a toothpaste manufacturer made the opening to their tubes a millimeter thicker and saw increased sales, since everyone inadvertently used more toothpaste.

And you know what? People were celebrating the ingenuity behind it. Great, let’s all celebrate how someone found a way to extract more out of people without giving them any value in return. That’s the kind of corporate thinking I’m against, just so we’re clear.

Package up my favorite game with a 20″ monster figurine, a flag, seven t-shirts, and then make it $300? Great, sure, there’s added value, I’ll bite. But make it $40 more expensive and then only offer me two days extra access in return? I think I’ll skip.

And so we’ve finally arrived at the crux of the argument. It’s one I’ve tried to have before, but it didn’t garner all that much interest. I thought gamers loved to complain? I know I do.

Reddit user eculley has taken a stab at sparking this debate on the forum website, and I’m seeing so many mixed messages in the comments. Some, like me, feel like it’s just another corporate exploitation tool. Take user The-Choo-Choo-Shoe for example (epic username, by the way), who says: “It’s not really early access, that’s just the release date. For everyone that is “too poor” to pay the higher price you get punished for a few days and can’t play on release.”

Others simply don’t care, but there are some who even seem to like it. One Reddit user, whose name is a bit too disturbing to share here, says: “Honestly, I like it.”

They go on to explain that seeing footage early is the core reason, not actually playing the game early. A little odd, but alright. If you actually like advanced access, please do leave a comment with why. I’d love to hear more.

Advanced access vs. early access

There is one last thing I’d like to clear up before we get into the comments here, and that’s what to call this phenomenon. Early access is simply a launch into anything before 1.0. If a game isn’t fully baked yet, it launches into early access — we’ve had those for years now.

If it’s simply the chance to play a game before its “release date,” then it’s referred to as advanced access.

Anyway, this isn’t exactly a new topic, but with yet more releases following this advanced access route in the near future, what are your thoughts? Let’s settle this once and for all.

The post Let’s settle this once and for all – Is advanced access in video games a problematic practice or not? appeared first on Destructoid.

Fantasy FC Team 1 is coming soon to FC 26, and you can expect some fantastic cards in Ultimate Team.

So far, EA Sports has been tight-lipped about what’s coming after Knockout Royalty. It appears that the ongoing promo will be a one-team affair, and Fantasty FC (or FC Fantasy) is all set to be the replacement. Let’s look at all the information that has already crept onto social media ahead of the official launch.

All FC 26 Fantasy FC Team 1 players

A few names have already popped up on social media who are expected to be part of the first team.

• Rafael Leao
• Salma Paralluelo
• Endrick
• Bruno Fernandes
• Antoine Semenyo

While the names are few as of writing, more leaks will appear closer to the release date. Fantasy FC will feature dynamic cards eligible for upgrades. The upgrades will be based on certain stipulations that will likely depend on real-life football. If you have played Ultimate Team in the last few years, you’ll have a fair idea about what to expect.

Fantasy FC will once again feature special cards for Heroes and Icons, along with cards of active footballers. A few of them have been leaked on social media.

• Stam
• Yaya Toure
• Antonio Di Natale
• Al Owairan
• Brolin

FC 26 Fantasy FC Team 1 release countdown

The first team of the Fantasy FC promo will go live on Friday, Feb. 20. The new promo will replace the ongoing Knockout Royalty cards from packs. The following countdown will expire once the first set of Fantasy FC cards is added to the packs.

[hurrytimer id=”1180588″]

The countdown is based on the following times.

• 10am PT
• 12pm CT
• 1pm ET
• 6pm UTC
• 7pm CET

This is the usual schedule EA Sports follows with promo launches. While most of the cards will be available in packs, we should get new SBCs and objectives to complete. These will be alternate options to get the promo cards without relying on pack luck. We will know which cards eventually make it to the first week of the new promo on Friday.

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