Revolution in FIFA? A supposed insider has revealed that FIFA 22 will likely be the last installment of the football series with the old name. Apparently, we will soon have to brace ourselves for “EA Sports Football Club” or “EA Sports FC”.
What’s going on? Since 1993, the FIFA series has been delivering fresh football experiences for gaming fans every year.
One important unique selling point of the series has always been licenses. Players, clubs, stadiums – FIFA always had the most licenses and was able to outmaneuver its competition time and again.
But at least with the “FIFA license,” that could soon come to an end. Several months ago, publisher EA confirmed that they were considering a name change and according to a leak, the new name has already been decided: EA Sports Football Club.
FIFA wanted influence and money – and now likely wants to develop themselves
Why is there a change? Back then, EA hinted that the FIFA association wanted to double the price of the name license. From 500 million dollars to 1 billion dollars for 4 years.
And it’s not about player or team licenses, but solely about the fact that “FIFA” can appear on the game cover – and the World Championship.
Furthermore, the football association apparently wanted more influence over the game and to restrict how EA can monetize the football title. Keyword card packs.
EA was also not happy that the FIFA association was exploring possibilities to award the license to others, after they had built up the brand as a publisher for so long.
Are you looking for some tips for FIFA 22? Check here:
What does the current leak say? The leak comes from the podcast “GrubbSnax” hosted by the regularly well-informed gaming journalist Jeff Grubb.
The industry insider has previously been involved in leaks about Battlefield 2042 or had information regarding the potential Game Pass on PlayStation.
Grubb says that EA no longer considers the license necessary. The series is so well known and popular that players will return to the game even without the “FIFA” on the game cover. It is a purely financial decision.
He also hints that the FIFA association may now be looking for partners to establish its own FIFA game. However, there are no concrete details on that.
Whether it will be “EA Sports Football Club” or “EA Sports FC” – it would amount to a small revolution in the football series.
So far, the information is still sparse and it’s unclear how it will go on with all the other licenses if the FIFA association actually starts its own game.
But it seems that there is once again movement in the world of digital football games. After the last FIFA competitor failed with the players, these are definitely good news.
