The FIFA series from EA is being renamed after almost 30 years. At the same time, FIFA (the association) is planning a competing product. FIFA and Electronics Arts talk about authenticity and new football experiences – but is that really the most important factor? MeinMMO author Max Handwerk has doubts.
This is what’s happening at EA: Summer 2023 is the end: FIFA as we know it will no longer exist. So – more or less at least. That’s how the announcement from EA Sports reads.
Instead of “FIFA,” players will play “EA Sports FC” starting in summer 2023. The new version of the football simulation is supposed to include “everything” that players love about their “games”: modes, real players and teams, stadiums, leagues, and so on – everything is supposed to remain on board (via EA.com). It also fits that a long-term agreement has been reached with the licensing partner FIFPRO.
At the same time, EA emphasizes that it shouldn’t just be a symbolic change but a real new start. The “independent platform” would bring “fresh opportunities.” Investment in sports is being made, and more and more partners are working on new, authentic experiences.
EA Sports FC is then supposed to bring “joy, inclusion, and immersion for a global community of fans” starting in 2023. However, no specific innovation is mentioned – that will happen only after FIFA 23.
So for now, the whole thing sounds a bit like the old chocolate bar advertisement: “Raider is now Twix, nothing else changes.”
This is what FIFA is doing now: FIFA (the world football association) immediately responded with a press release stating that they will now produce new football video games (yes, plural) with external studios and publishers. Some “non-simulation-based” games are already in production and are set to be released later this year, ahead of the World Cup.
Furthermore, FIFA President Gianni Infantino spoke out in the announcement and emphasized:
I can assure you that the only authentic, real game carrying the name FIFA will be the best available for gamers and football fans. The name FIFA is the only global, original title. FIFA 23, FIFA 24, FIFA 25, and FIFA 26 and so on – the constant is the name FIFA, and it will remain forever and be THE BEST.
via fifa.com
Again, the word “authentic” is used – and that’s no surprise. After all, the aspect that the FIFA series always contained a large portion of real players and clubs was a significant advantage over the long-standing competitor Pro Evolution Soccer.
That both sides are now presenting themselves as the “authentic” representatives wishing to offer the best football experience in the virtual realm is not surprising.
However, looking at the history of the dispute, it becomes clear that it is not about authenticity, gaming, or football itself.
It seems more like “the great football video game” is a particularly delicious cake that both believe they are getting too small a piece of.
What role does money play in this dispute?
Who is actually arguing? Both parties, who are working on football video games, have long been criticized regarding money.
- EA Sports is regularly criticized for its Ultimate Team practices. Here, packs with random players are sold, which can also be paid with real money. There is no guarantee of getting strong players that advance you in the game – in fact, the odds are rather poor. Nonetheless, Ultimate Team generates unbelievable amounts of money year after year. Additionally, there’s also the purchase price for FIFA. Each year, EA releases a new version of the series as a full-price game.
- The FIFA as the football world association, meanwhile, is criticized by many football fans for massively driving the commercialization of football forward. Controversial issues like the World Cup award to Qatar and corruption scandals also play a role.
What are the reasons for the split? In the official statements from both sides, there is little said about the reasons why they prefer to continue without each other in the future. However, in recent weeks and months, various aspects have come to light that are said to have contributed to this.
- It all started in the fall of 2021, when EA Sports publicly considered renaming the series and no longer relying on the FIFA license. According to New York Times, FIFA allegedly requested double the price for the license – around a billion dollars for 4 years instead of 500 million as before.
- Moreover, FIFA was said to want to restrict the money-making opportunities within the games and keep exclusive rights for itself, while EA wanted to incorporate more monetization options.
- Later, alleged statements from EA boss Andrew Wilson from an internal meeting came to light. The site VGC reported that Wilson allegedly emphasized, according to anonymous sources, that they were restricted by FIFA. For example, no modes beyond 11vs11 were allowed. Moreover, they were not allowed to expand the “digital ecosystem” – for instance, through partnerships with companies like Nike. As FIFA had a partnership with Adidas.
- Wilson was also of the opinion that the FIFA license would provide “four letters on the box” in years without a World Cup.
- He repeatedly emphasized that EA’s players were actually urging them to incorporate even more brands.
As part of the “EA Sports FC” announcement, it is notable that explicitly Nike, alongside many football clubs, has now announced a connection with the “new” football series:
The FIFA, in turn, emphasizes in its current announcement: “The sector of interactive games and e-sports is experiencing an unprecedented path of growth and diversification. FIFA’s strategy aims to leverage all future opportunities optimally and ensure a wide range of products and opportunities for players, fans, member associations, and partners” (via FIFA.com).
This statement also sounds quite “economical” – and not like it’s coming from the heart of football or gaming.
What does all this mean for the football gaming world? Let’s dream of an ideal situation: It’s not about money at all. Or at least not just that. Ideally, EA with FIFA is no longer the sole dominant player who can rest because no one poses a real threat. But rather, they now face a strong competitor – and EA must deliver a really good, fair game with many innovations with “EA Sports FC”. Otherwise, customers will simply buy “FIFA 24,” which will no longer be distributed by EA.
In turn, FIFA delivers a strong game – and we get a competition of motivated developers trying to outdo each other with their games for years to come. And as if that weren’t enough, newcomer UFL and a revitalized Pro Evolution Soccer will add to the competition. That would of course be great.
But the opposite could also be true. EA saves the FIFA license but can continue as usual and further monetize the game. Perhaps Nike shoes with shooting boosts will be sold in addition to strong players in the game, who knows.
The FIFA, on the other hand, delivers a game that has licenses but not much else. It will be called FIFA 24 or FIFA 25 and ensure that all sorts of people buy the wrong game but don’t get what they expect. Because one must also say: Either way, the football game world could become quite confusing in the future.
For now, it’s probably best to wait – and hope that both sides are willing to really deliver an exciting, cool game. Instead of one that is solely geared towards maximizing profit.
What do you think of the change? What are you hoping for? Let us know in the comments! And if you want to try FIFA: FIFA 22 is currently on PS Plus.
