Will EA Sports ever stop releasing a new FIFA installment every year?
Since 1993, at least one new FIFA game from EA has been released each year. Each new installment in the series features various gameplay improvements, team updates, and additional features.
Many FIFA fans have long gotten used to this rhythm. They know: Every year in September, the new football simulation is released for consoles and PC – and anyone who wants to play virtually with the current team rosters and the best graphics has to buy this FIFA.
However, in recent years, criticism of the annual FIFA installments has intensified. The innovations are considered too marginal and do not justify the price of 60 euros. The new installment is often said to be not much more than a squad update compared to the predecessor, as can be frequently read in forums. There is dissatisfaction that FIFA is once again standing on the shelves as a full-priced title each year.
This doesn’t have to last forever! Andrew Wilson, CEO of EA, recently spoke with Bloomberg about how he envisions the future of FIFA.
FIFA as “Game as a service”
In the interview, Wilson was asked whether there would ever be a day when EA would no longer release annual installments of their major franchises. This question was regarding the FIFA and Madden series.
Wilson replied: The short answer is “yes”.
Although some things still need to happen before this step. But he envisions a world where there need not be annual releases anymore. One could very well imagine offering these games as live services.
By live service, the “Game as a service” approach is meant, which is becoming increasingly popular. This is a distribution model where a game is released and then continuously maintained with expansions and updates. It is financed through microtransactions and DLCs. The lifecycle of these titles is significantly extended, and the games remain relevant for years.
For FIFA, this would mean that after one year, the next installment does not directly follow, but that the existing part is updated annually with squad updates. It is also conceivable that, for example, new continuations of the story mode “The Journey” are offered as DLCs, costing around 10 euros.
This way, the customer does not have to buy a new full-priced title every year, but could play the same FIFA for years, which is continuously updated.
If EA actually abolishes the annual installments, it would represent a drastic change. However, as long as the current model is successful, this is unlikely to happen.
Nevertheless, as Andrew Wilson says: He envisions a world where this could happen.
What is your opinion on this? Are you satisfied with the current “A new FIFA every year” rhythm, or do you want a FIFA that stays current for several years?
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