The next game in the Need for Speed series won't include loot boxes, according to EA community lead Ben Walke.

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Walke replied to a user on Reddit under the name F8RGE saying "There are no Lootboxes in NFS Heat and there won't be." When another user asked how EA planned on monetising the game, Walke replied, "We plan to have post launch paid-DLC in the form of car packs."Later this year we'll introduce a time-save pack, which will show all collectables on the map. That's it."EA has historically used loot boxes in many of its games from Star Wars to Battlefield and even 2017's Need For Speed Payback. However, the boxes have frequently sparked backlash from players who liken the practice to gambling. Meanwhile, at a UK government enquiry into whether the games industry should be regulated, EA's VP of legal and government affairs termed loot boxes "surprise mechanics" similar to Kinder Egg toys.As such, the decision to not include loot boxes in Need For Speed Heat represents a step change for the company. Walke said in another post that "I run community for Star Wars, Battlefield and NFS, so not my first rodeo."Coming into the reveal one of the things we agreed we would detail is the monetisation options, no loot boxes, car packs etc. No scape goat here."Montetisation strategies involving loot boxes are facing increased scrutiny. Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony recently announced they're working on new policies that would disclose the odds for each loot box purchase on games on their platforms.Need for Speed Heat was officially unveiled this week alongside a new trailer and a November 8 release date.

Alysia Judge is a writer and presenter. Chat to her on Twitter @alysiajudge.