Love it or loathe it, Manchester United is a commercial juggernaut – that much was evidenced by the sponsor-laden red carpet that was rolled out for Paul Pogba this week. And if you wondered why fictional footballer Alex Hunter signs for the Red Devils in FIFA 17's forthcoming story mode, then this may explain a thing or two: EA Sports' soccer sim is now the official video game partner for the massive Manchester-based club.
Ever since Ed Woodward has been at the helm, United has been signing commercial deals left and right – from tyres all the way through to Chinese noodles. Let's not forget, this is the same club that sold the naming rights to its training ground – a private facility that's on lockdown practically all of the time.
But what does this partnership mean for the game? Well, it didn't get French forward Anthony Martial on the cover, but it does mean that extra care and attention has been invested into the player models – including explosive ex-academy player (and fan favourite) Marcus Rashford. You can probably expect Manchester United to post some cringey videos of Jesse Lingard playing the game on its Twitter page, too. That sort of thing.
[source easports.com]
Comments 10
Awesome, but a bit surprising Martial didn't 'win' the cover thing.
Was going to switch to Fifa this year , won't now.
@MinerWilly
Never understood Football/soccer/manballs massive attraction, still my mother is a massive United fan so I'm sure my week brother will be getting this as one of his Xmas gifts 😂
@Rsco6969 football gives meaning to the monotony of life, you don't need expensive equipment to play, its fun, anyone of any size can play, the point system doesn't need to be explained, pitches can vary in size unlike most other sports leading to unique grounds and play styles, some of the best computer games have been footy games (tecmo world cup, Emlyn Hughes soccer, Football manager, Kick off, Sensible Soccer, Striker, International Super Star Soccer, Pes and Fifa) bragging rights, a boss day out, amazing floodlit nights out, pies at halftime, chanting, cheering, booing, excitement, hope and high fiving work colleagues when Martinez got sacked.
Football is awesome!
I think you can play for an PL club in the story mode - not just United. Unless they've thrown £100 million at EA.
@themcnoisy Emlyn Hughes International Soccer , great shout , what a game. Am I the only one who quite enjoyed Actua Soccer on PS1 !?
@ShogunRok my guess is its going to be like nba 2k16 story mode. There's a linear path to follow through the game with the same main characters with a small selection of different choices to choose from at set junctions - such as becoming a free agent, when you first burst on the scene, an argument with the clubs owner etc.
@ShogunRok Oh okay. I thought Alex Hunter's path was determined and you were just colouring in the plot points.
@MinerWilly I liked Actua Soccer!
@MinerWilly i loved Actua Soccer always shoot from kick off pro tip
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