Really well said. Agree with your comments across the board. I’ve been playing EA games for 30 years and at this point I would actively warn even my worst enemy away from their products because of the contempt they are currently exhibiting towards the FCM community.
In the past, EA’s refusal to improve gameplay felt more like benign neglect — it was deeply frustrating but little more. However, the change from shards to this draft system feels coercive and abusive of F2Pers and it puts the company’s refusal to improve gameplay in a new light. Why? Because at the same time that they are twisting the screw to try and force players to spend major $$$ to remain competitive they are offering less VALUE than ever before in return. Anyone with a brain can see it, and every day that they continue to plow forward with these coercive tactics the more insulted users feel. And rightfully so!