FUT Needs to Reward Both Casuals and Core Players Again
FUT Needs to Reward Both Casuals and Core Players Again. That's my take and I thought about it, and instead of complaining, I made the decision to offer solutions for problems most parts of the community have.
I've been thinking a lot about how Ultimate Team has evolved over the past few years, and I believe EA is trying to solve the wrong problems. The goal shouldn't be to cater exclusively to casual players or hardcore players—it should be to create a system where both groups feel rewarded for the time they invest.
1. Bring Back Longer FUT Champions (30-40 Games) With the Token System
One of the biggest mistakes was reducing FUT Champions while removing meaningful rewards like red player picks. Champs used to feel like the pinnacle of Ultimate Team. Now it often feels like just another mode with underwhelming rewards.
I would love to see FUT Champions return to 30 games—or even 40 games—with:
- Red Player Picks or Red IF Packs returning.
- The Top 100 leaderboard making a comeback.
- The current token system remaining as an additional reward layer.
The token system is actually a good idea, but it shouldn't replace traditional rewards—it should complement them.
For example:
- Weekly tokens remain available as they are now.
- Players can also earn monthly tokens through Champs.
- Every FUT Champions rank should award some form of Red IF Pack, with higher ranks receiving increasingly better versions.
- Tokens would then act as a bonus currency for additional rewards rather than replacing existing ones.
A Two-Tier Champions Token Store
The Champions Token Store could be split into two separate sections:
Weekly Store
- Refreshes every week.
- Contains tradable packs, coins, consumables, and other standard rewards.
- Gives players a reason to spend their weekly tokens immediately if they choose.
Monthly Store
- Refreshes once per month.
- Focuses on premium long-term rewards.
- Contains Red Team of the Week packs in multiple tiers (for example, from 3 Red IFs all the way to premium packs with significantly more Red IFs and even an Icon for the most dedicated players).
- Includes Red Promo Player Packs featuring players from the previous month's promotions. For example, a store released in November would contain red versions of promo players that were available between October 1st and October 31st. Those rewards would rotate out once the December store becomes available.
This system would create a meaningful long-term progression path while also giving every month its own unique reward pool.
One question that would need testing is whether monthly rewards should expire. If they remain permanently available, players could simply save tokens for months and spend everything during Team of the Season, potentially flooding the economy with high-end rewards. On the other hand, forcing rewards to expire may feel too restrictive for players who enjoy saving for specific content. This is exactly the kind of balance that should be tested during development.
Overall, this creates the best of both worlds.
Casual players can save tokens over time and eventually earn rewards they otherwise couldn't reach. Core players, who invest more time and consistently achieve higher ranks, receive immediate rewards through Red Picks or Red IF Packs while also collecting tokens for even bigger rewards later.
Everyone benefits without one group feeling punished.
2. Rivals Needs a Complete Revamp
EA often says that many design decisions are made to help casual players. Yet Rivals has become one of the least casual-friendly modes in the game.
The weekly timer creates constant FOMO. Players feel pressured to keep playing just to secure their rewards before the deadline, often grinding matches they don't actually enjoy because they don't want to miss out.
That isn't healthy game design.
Instead, I'd like to see the return of the old Divisions system from previous FIFA titles.
A possible solution would be:
- Bring back traditional Divisions with promotion and relegation.
- Reward players for winning divisions instead of chasing weekly point thresholds.
- Limit the maximum top-tier division rewards to three full payouts per week.
- After those three, rewards could still exist but at a reduced level.
This removes the unhealthy weekly grind while still rewarding players who want to keep playing.
3. Give Offline Players Something Worth Grinding
Offline players deserve more than Squad Battles and occasional tournaments.
NBA 2K's Domination mode is a perfect example of how an offline grind can stay engaging throughout the year.
FUT could introduce a similar mode where players progress through seasonal content, earning:
- Packs
- Coins
- Exclusive Players
- Cosmetics
- Seasonal objectives
The content could refresh every season, giving offline players meaningful progression without forcing them online.
Final Thoughts
The current systems often leave casual players feeling like they're falling behind, while dedicated players feel like their extra time and skill aren't properly rewarded.
By:
- Bringing back longer FUT Champions with Red Picks/Packs and Top 100,
- Expanding the token system with separate weekly and monthly reward stores,
- Reworking Rivals into a proper Divisions mode, and
- Adding a substantial offline progression mode,
EA could create an Ultimate Team that respects every type of player instead of trying to force everyone into the same gameplay loop.
I genuinely believe these changes would make FUT healthier, more rewarding, and far more enjoyable for the entire community.
