@Anlbrd I really love this response. It certainly is an interesting take on the aspect of whether or not anyone actually does deserve to be rewarded at all.
It is true that complaining may seem unproductive, but when you consider those who do complain and criticise don't necessarily know how to go about it in a way that'll truly endorse change, what else can be expected when a community such as this experiences what they believe to be a problem?
The abundant use of aggressive tones, as you rightly say, isn't the correct approach to take in most cases.
From what I've seen on Reddit over the last few days alone, humanitarianism is certainly something sorely missing.
I for one have been called all manner of foul things by users just for saying I dislike what's happening.
But when sites and forums like this and reddit are seemingly the only vessels in which players can attempt to get their voices heard, is this situation not even further flawed when the consumer cannot access a proper procedure in which to combat something they feel is unethical?
Like with oh so many saying, "well we need to get the government to sort this out and punish EA because they're villains", it greater emphasises the trouble in the gaming industry where the consumer is only able to put their hope in greater powers to bring about change with the ultimate realisation being that the consumer's say on the matter is drowned out by how the products they criticise are marketed.
"Loot boxes are just surprise mechanics and they're totally ethical, people shouldn't have the right to complain".
Sure, EA would no doubt squeeze through every hole they can find to make money, but would said increase of monetisation schemes be all that bad?
Sounds hypocritical I know, but hear me out... If legislations were in place, would that not give the consumer greater semblance of control over how their money is invested. They may have to jump through extra hoops, but at least then a player who feels cheated or coerced into something they're not happy with can better find a platform in which to support their case.
Yes, some players of these games have issues with mental health that manifest in gambling addictions, but right now if you buy a game from some place like the Xbox Live Marketplace it specifically states that any and all transactions are non-refundable.
Nowhere at this point in time can someone with a gambling addiction, who let's say has purchased 100 lots of premium currency for a given game, claim their money back due to the fact they did it by choice.
Through pushing for better industry standards people like this would feel less pressure if they knew things that are done impulsively thanks to their disorders, can in some form or another combat the system which denies them the right to challenge their situation.
I remember attempting to file an official complaint about Anthem once. I literally couldn't play it due to all the in-game issues that wouldn't allow a single successful session.
When speaking with a representative of Anthems support team, I was told that they can't let the players file official complaints as they have to file them under bug reports instead.
This was because the company wasn't allowed to admit the flaws in their product.
I mentioned in a recent comment I made on another player's post on the matter that EA aren't looking to keep customers happy, just invested.
Anthem's production team weren't pulled from the project because they did bad work, they were simply moved to the next project to help ensure it's a financial success.
So although people do seem daft for complaining about frills cosmetic items for a free to play game, you can't deny that there's a greater issue to be explored here.