NEXON's FC Online is currently weathering a storm following a coupon distribution blunder. During a summer event, the wrong coupons were handed out, and the publisher's decision to unilaterally claw back assets from players who used them has caused significant backlash.

The issue began on the 26th with the 'Summer Festa with TOTS' event. The event promised a 50% total fee discount coupon if players purchased the '8-11 Enhanced Player Pack' box twice. However, a system error caused the coupons to be distributed after only a single purchase, and some players proceeded to use them.

The controversy escalated when the management team attempted to reclaim the in-game currency (BP) from players who had used the coupons. Without prior notice, the team unilaterally deducted the funds, leaving some players with a negative BP balance. For those who would not have made the purchase without the coupon, the situation felt like a breach of trust.

Community frustration grew rapidly. Players voiced their dissatisfaction, stating, "It was the management's error, so this unilateral recovery is excessive," "Is this really the best response they could provide?", and "I had affection for this game, but this measure has completely soured the experience."

As the criticism intensified, the management team announced on the 1st that they would withdraw the recovery measures. For the 110 affected players, the team restored the fees and BP to their pre-incident state, and the erroneous coupons were allowed to be used without further interference.

The management team added, "There is nothing more important than restoring trust with our players, which is why we have decided to withdraw the original recovery policy," while offering a formal apology for the "imprudent judgment" and the "distress and unpleasantness" caused by the move. Whether this measure will successfully restore player trust remains to be seen.