Reforming PlayStyles and XP in Ultimate Team (Mythic Icons)

Hi EA Sports FC Team,

I’m a long-time Ultimate Team player and I would like to share a structured proposal to improve the PlayStyle system and seasonal XP progression.

The goal is to:

• restore the real value of OVR and legendary Icons,
• create a meaningful, year-long progression goal,
• introduce a prestige path based primarily on gameplay, while keeping monetization flexible.

Below is a one-page Executive Summary. A full proposal and a short Deep Dive are also prepared as separate text documents.

Reforming the PlayStyle and XP Level System in Ultimate Team
An Open Proposal from the FUT Community
Prepared by: Filip [edir]

The Problem
Two significant issues currently affect the Ultimate Team experience:

• High Overall Rating (OVR) no longer translates adequately to in-game effectiveness. In many cases, inexpensive cards with well-chosen PlayStyles can consistently outperform legendary Icons with high OVR.
• Access to the most prestigious cards is perceived as too closely tied to purchases. This diminishes the prestige of football's greatest legends and reduces the long-term value of the seasonal XP progression system.

Proposed Solution
This proposal suggests a comprehensive reform that restores the real value of OVR, creates a meaningful long-term goal for the entire season, and introduces an exceptional progression path based primarily on gameplay — while maintaining flexibility in the monetization model.

Key Elements:

• Four-tier PlayStyle hierarchy (Silver → Gold+ → Diamond++ → Mythic+++), where OVR remains the foundation, and PlayStyles define specialization.
• Mythic Icons (+++) limited to a very small group of players per cycle, selected based on historical legacy, iconic status, and unique impact on the game.
• Three-pillar acquisition system:
  • Luck: Mythic Pack every X levels with guaranteed token and very small chance of direct Icon drop
  • Time/Loyalty: Tokens collected from packs can be exchanged for a guaranteed Icon
  • Skill: Mythic Season Challenges reward good play with additional tokens/XP
• Optional alternative: Very expensive, limited SBC (requiring high engagement, e.g., full squad 90+ OVR with specific leagues). Limit: 1 per account per cycle.
• Account limits: Maximum 1–2 Mythic Icons +++ per account per cycle, regardless of acquisition method.
• Additional prestige features: Unique "Mythic" badge, special entrance/celebration animations, unique card backgrounds.

Example Roster (Illustrative Only)
One possible implementation could include players such as:

• Lionel Messi (98 OVR, RW/CAM, Technical+++)
• Cristiano Ronaldo (98 OVR, ST/LW, Power Shot+++)
• Paolo Maldini (98 OVR, CB/LB, Anticipate+++)
• Gianluigi Buffon (98 OVR, GK, Far Reach+++)
• Pelé or Diego Maradona (98 OVR, ST/CF or CAM/CF, First Touch+++ or Trickster+++)

The final selection should be determined by EA based on historical legacy, iconic status, and overall representation of football history.

Key Benefits for EA

• Increased long-term retention through a strong seasonal goal (exact impact depending on EA’s internal data and balancing).
• Maintains monetization opportunities while introducing a new prestige progression path.
• Positive community perception by demonstrating responsiveness to community feedback.
• Regulatory compliance through transparent drop rates in Mythic Packs.
• Allows future refinement based on gameplay data and community feedback.

Core Principle
The most prestigious legends cannot be purchased through standard means. They can be earned through dedication — luck or exceptional commitment may only accelerate the process.

If someone from the team is interested, I’ll be happy to share the full proposal and a short Deep Dive document with more details on mechanics and implementation.

Thank you for your time and consideration.