Electronic Arts
FIFA 14 - FIFA Ultimate Team
What:
As part of the FIFA 14 project my team and I focused specifically on the FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) mode. My role involved gameplay testing, regression testing, and investigating online fraud to ensure the quality and integrity of the game.
Why:
FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) is a popular game mode in the FIFA series where players build their dream football teams by earning, trading, and purchasing player cards. As one of the franchise’s most-played modes, FUT is a key driver of FIFA 14’s success, both in player engagement and revenue generation. Ensuring the mode was bug-free, secure, and enjoyable was essential for maintaining its popularity and supporting the game’s overall sales and reputation. With the added complexity of launching on next-gen consoles, quality assurance and fraud prevention became even more critical.
How:
I contributed to FIFA 13 part-time while in university, performing gameplay and graphics testing. After graduation, I transitioned to full-time QA on FIFA 14, where I:
- Conducted gameplay and regression tests, focusing on specific areas of FUT functionality.
- Tested the game on next-gen consoles (Xbox One and PS4) before their official launch to ensure compatibility and performance.
- Collaborated with development teams to track and resolve bugs across gameplay, hardware, and companion applications.
Later, I joined the FUT Fraud Team, focusing on online security and ecosystem integrity. My responsibilities included:
- Investigating unusual trading behaviors of player cards.
- Reviewing customer tickets related to stolen coins or accounts.
- Identifying and banning bot accounts and cheaters.
- Tracking phishing websites targeting FIFA players and shutting down illicit coin-selling operations.
Tools:
- Dev kits for next-gen consoles (Xbox One, PS4).
- Bug tracking software (e.g., JIRA).
- Internal tools for monitoring in-game transactions and user activity.
- External resources for identifying phishing websites and fraudulent activity.
