EA has revealed plans to discontinue the FIFA video game series – here’s everything you need to know.
Following months of negotiations, the relationship between video-game maker Electronic Arts (EA) and FIFA, soccer’s governing organization, has come to an end, the New York Times reported.
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The partnership lasted for just under three decades and produced one of the most popular video game series of all time with more than 150 million players worldwide.
Now, the video game manufacturer is slated to produce another variation of the game, which will carry the title EA Sports FC.
“Next year, EA SPORTS FC will become the future of football from EA SPORTS,” EA said in a statement.
“Alongside our 300+ license partners across the sport, we’re ready to take global football experiences to new heights, on behalf of all football fans around the world,” the company added.
Please note that EA is still expected to release FIFA 23, which will drop on September 30 later this year.
Shortly after EA made its announcement, FIFA released a statement claiming that it would launch its own video game.
“For the first time, FIFA will launch new football video games developed with third-party studios and publishers, providing more choice for football and gaming fans in the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023,” the company said.
The soccer organization added that they are already developing several new non-simulation games, which will launch during the third quarter of this year.
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What does this mean for OG FIFA lovers?
“The [EA] game itself will not change much,” Tariq Panja writes for the New York Times.
“Most of the world’s famous clubs and stars will still be playable because of separate licensing deals with their teams and leagues, even though the World Cup itself and other FIFA-controlled events will no longer be included.”
Furthermore, many experts believe that FIFA’s video game will not hold a candle to EA Sport’s.
“It’s likely these will be casual titles, probably for smartphones, crammed with micro-transactions and perhaps aimed at the huge Asian market for arena-based multiplayer games,” Keith Stuart writes for The Guardian.
Despite this, Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, said: “I can assure you that the only authentic, real game that has the FIFA name will be the best one available for gamers and football fans.”
In response to Infantino’s comment, Stuart said: “This is, patently, a ludicrous piece of hubris, showing no understanding of modern video game development.”
“EA’s titles represent the culmination of 30 years of sports sim development with a huge, dedicated, and extremely experienced team. Where else is Fifa going to find that sort of expertise?”
Similarly, Gareth Sutcliffe, a senior analyst specializing in the video games sector at Enders Analysis said: “If you’re breaking a relationship that goes back over 20 years there will be consequences.”
“EA will continue to motor on: They have got all the technological smarts, the creative implementation of an absolutely fantastic football game — and it really is fantastic.”
“But what does FIFA have? Their name. And then what?”
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