In FIFA 18 the Ultimate Team mode is above all. And in the future, FUT is expected to become even more important.
The accusation has existed for years: many FIFA fans allege that EA only cares about the Ultimate Team mode because it generates the most revenue. Popular modes like Career Mode or Pro Clubs are neglected. FIFA is only about FUT now.
That the Ultimate Team mode is indeed at the forefront of FIFA and firmly anchored in the minds of most FIFA players is now made clear by EA’s CFO Blake Jorgensen in the latest financial report (via kicker). For many fans, FUT is now more important than the actual FIFA game:
“People now think more of FUT than of the fundamental game in FIFA. […] The mode is always evolving. There are new challenges every week to bring people back.”
Throughout the entire season, FUT is supported with daily and weekly tasks, events, and new cards to keep players engaged long-term and to attract new players. And that seems to be working. According to the financial report, player numbers increased by twelve percent compared to the previous year. There seems to be no end in sight for the success of FUT.
The Story Mode as a Strategic Decision for FUT
FUT is now so important that this mode influences the other modes as well as new content decisions. The introduction of “The Journey” was not only a welcome story mode that many players waited a long time for, but also a strategic move to attract more players to FUT.
“The decision to introduce a story mode helped us to advance FUT,” Jorgensen stated.
In the story mode, players learn the basics of the football simulation and are gradually rewarded with FUT cards. During the story, players are repeatedly asked if they want to try these rewards in FUT right away. Thus, players are introduced to FUT.
In the future, EA wants to further engage people with FUT, Jorgensen said. He does not reveal how exactly this will work. But the future will show.
In short: Even now FUT mode is said to be more important than the actual game according to EA – and it is expected to become increasingly important.
About a year ago, Jorgensen mentioned that EA wants to apply the Ultimate Team system to other franchises like Battlefield.
