Following the news that EA Sports will ditch the FIFA branding for its football simulation games after the release of FIFA 23, the organisation has confirmed its plans to create a rival to EA Sports FC. FIFA says it is currently "engaging with leading game publishers, media companies and investors in regard to the development of a major new FIFA simulation football game title for 2024".
Despite losing the development efforts of EA Sports, FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists the game with the FIFA branding on the front will still be the best football simulator on the market. "I can assure you that the only authentic, real game that has the FIFA name will be the best one available for gamers and football fans. The FIFA name is the only global, original title," he claims.
However, before then, the organisation says it has a "number of new non-simulation games" currently in development, one of which is themed around this year's controversial World Cup in Qatar. It will supposedly "bring new, interactive experiences to fans across the globe". Further titles are also being considered for next year's Women's World Cup, with publisher discussions already underway.
"The interactive gaming and esports sector is on a path of unrivalled growth and diversification. FIFA’s strategy is to ensure we can make the most of all future options and ensure a wide range of products and opportunities for gamers, fans, member associations and partners," said Infantino.
In response to EA Sports' decision to break away from the FIFA branding and launch EA Sports FC, lots of football clubs have tweeted how they're "in the club" ready for the new title. The split won't affect any relationships EA holds with the Premier League, Champions League, and other divisions around the world, meaning licensed clubs and competitions will still be a thing in EA Sports FC.
An EA statement reads: "This is much more than just a change of symbol – as EA Sports, we’re committed to ensuring EA Sports FC is a symbol of change. We’re dedicated to meaningfully reinvesting in the sport, and we’re excited to work with a large and increasing number of partners to expand to new authentic experiences that bring joy, inclusivity, and immersion to a global community of fans."
[source fifa.com]
Comments 46
Half the reason I wrote this article is so I could embed the Derby County tweet.
So in effect they’re diluting a product that’s already weak af? Sign me up lol
If the usual layout is kept and the team names / stadiums and music themes are the same, then I can see why EA split from Fifa.
EA have been making football games for decades and has existing relationships in the football world. Fifa Games are often the best selling games of the year and Ultimate Team is a cash cow for EA
Whoever takes the Fifa name has an uphill battle dethroning them.
Are we going to see a walking sim from FIFA about human rights abuses in Qatar?
I wonder if the new game themed for the Qatar WC will be a dystopian theme park type game where the aim is to prevent as many labourers from dying or if you're maniacal then decimate them.
@LiamCroft part of the FIFA EA leaks from last year that predicted all this said that the license for FIFA would go to take-two/2K sports and that it would start with FIFA 2K24 alongside a lego FIFA 2K game.
Bad news for EA. The people who buy these games every year will just see the FIFA name and buy that one, not noticing or caring or that the developer changed.
@LiamCroft Steve Gibson will take some part of that tweet.
They’ll probably make it a mobile game.
@AdamNovice He'll probably blame us for missing out on the play-offs, again!
@Apfelschteiner You'll be forced to build the stadiums in the 120°F heat
Well, I wasn’t sure, but then he assured me, so now I’m a believer.
@LiamCroft Now now, you know very well that Sheff Utd and Luton didn't use creative accounting to get a team they couldn't afford.
Makes sense, where else are FIFA going to get that Billion lost from EA every year.
Flog the name out to others to make FIFA Street, Masters Football and some other garbage and generate the money that way.
@LiamCroft that league 1 team? 😂
Oh great, now we have not one, not two, but three mediocre football games.
Ok maybe not very fair, but I'm not very excited for the future of sports games.
At least we have competition.
Tbh even if Fifa just keep the same game name as before, the masses will still buy it and may be fooled into buying the wrong game thinking its the same as they have always bought
“FIFA Sports. Corruption. It’s in the name”
OOF. Fifa it's like "we don't need you at all". Lets see how this goes, if 2K really does the next FIFA 24 it would be super interesting
But I thought Microsoft could buy the entire FIFA organization just to make the game exclusive...
@UltimateOtaku91
Your definitely not wrong. I have a young nephew that has been a loyal FIFA player ever since he started playing video games pretty much and I mentioned this whole situation to him and his response? If it doesn't have FIFA in the title he isn't interested at all. He will go with whatever has the FIFA branding. Brand loyalty is a powerful thing believe it or not so this will be interesting to see play out and where the general audience goes to.
It'll always be fifa no matter what they call it..
If FIFA make games like they run football their game will probably outdo EA's for crappy casino-style microtransactions. There's going to be 2 turds in the punch bowl.
I think this is quite amusing really. I know no one likes EA, but they still deliver a quality product annually have done for decades. It's going to be incredibly difficult for FIFA to find another partner like that.
In reality, they may very well have lost out on many millions of guaranteed revenue, and EA has called their bluff.
Also, you may not like EA, but compared to FIFA they are absolute angels. I know it's hard to imagine EA as the good guys, but compared to FIFA, they absolutely are!
@Korgon they should rename it FIPA 2025... That'll trick 'em!
It took years for EA to refine the game and reach that point. Its not just "well I have the name, it should be enough". Its a risk move, because if FIFA delivers a worst game, which its almost certain, they will only hurt the brand. It seens they dont really accepted well EAs decision.
@UltimateOtaku91 They might even realize that they only really cared for the license anyway and will still end up buying the next one.
Competition can only be good for us. I don’t like the name particularly but it will be irrelevant if they produce a better game. Will this open up new possibilities for licensing such as the national league? I’d like that… PES never had the budget to challenge fifa games and licensing didn’t help. It’s a risk from EA sports, their success is practically built on fifa games
@get2sammyb If FIFA are smart on this they will give very generous terms to Konami.
This is actually excellent news. EA can't just sit on their thumbs and whip out quick releases with the bare minimum of changes. They'll actually have to put effort into their games of risk losing business to the games that will still have Fifa on the box.
If EA won't pay what FIFA want, do they really think anyone else will?
The next time mum buys “FIFA” for Johnny at Christmas, lol.
Honestly though, FIFA as a game is, at this point, almost more recognisable than the FIFA organisation. Releasing another game with the name surely would have to be handled very carefully. Would EA have some type of developed intellectual property rights exclusive to the videogames space? I seriously doubt it given they don’t own the FIFA brand, but the law can be strange when applied to the extremely wealthy; could gamers claim some type of misrepresentation even, should a new publisher have FIFA as the main name of their football game?
Also, the idea that any new company would pay close to what EA would shows FIFA are eying the value of their license in different digital product spaces unrelated to gaming. Gambling apps maybe??
It’s also extremely unlikely another dev could suddenly create a better football game of course, but I’m sure FIFA don’t actually care much about this.
The only company I can think of with the money and sports games interest is Take 2
If it makes them all try harder to make a good, value for money product I say it’s a good thing. I’m guessing 2K will be FIFA’s first conversation?
To be fair, I’d be up for a FIFA game without EA if it drops a micro transaction focus (I said focus, it will still have them) and actually properly update its single player career mode..
@Milktastrophe really? FIFA name doesnt give exclusive rights to clubs and stadiums. EA holds almost all licenses for stuff what matters. Even Konami PES/Efootball is barebones with licenses.
@Boldfoxrd they will not. FIFA probably will get now even less money in overall to sell rights for different game developers and have them to create something, which in near future will not be even close to EA.
@Korgon when that same young nephew will open that NEW FIFA game and it will not have any real club names or league names, we will see how long he will stick with FIFA named games.
@Apfelschteiner unlikely, have you seen the state of e-football?! 2K seems the smart choice as they have a sports pedigree. Although if they are building a game ground up they need to get a deal signed for a game that would ideally be released around Sept 23.
@get2sammyb oh that's for damn sure. FIFA must be the most corrupt body in all of sport. I think all the major countries should be the next to sever ties with them.
As for the games, competition is good but despite being a football fan I don't like football games. Sports games in general but especially football. Some years I've just owned a copy for when people come round.
😁
So there will be four football games in the market from next year?
EA Sports FC, E-Football, The rival game for Ultimate Team and the official FIFA game developed by who the hell knows ?
If so, that's good news. More variety means everyone will have to step up their A game.
@REALAIS
Yeah I'm sure it will be quite the unwelcome surprise for him! Time will tell though.
I'd love to see a FIFA CEO Simulator released...
This could mean meaningful competition for the first time since the highs of Pro Evo. I'd be ok with the Konami team getting the rights to FIFA whether at Konami or ex Pro Evo devs.
I hate to be “that guy” but some of the political / anti-Qatar comments that are allowed on this article would be removed if talking about other issues.
I love Push Square, but your policy on not allowing political comments isn’t very consistent.
(I’m not pro-Qatar btw and the walking sim comment was funny).
FIFA is a charity believe it or not.
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