Does EA Still Own FIFA? The End of an Era and a New Beginning

The simple answer is no, EA does not own FIFA anymore. The partnership between Electronic Arts (EA) and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) ended in 2022 after a monumental 30-year run. This split meant that FIFA 23 was the last game in the franchise to bear the FIFA name under the EA umbrella. Now, EA has moved forward with its own rebranded football game series, EA Sports FC, while FIFA is exploring its own avenues in the gaming world.

The Divorce: Why EA and FIFA Parted Ways

The breakup of this long-standing relationship wasn’t exactly amicable, and like many separations, money played a significant role. While the partnership was lucrative for both sides, cracks began to appear when FIFA reportedly demanded a substantial increase in licensing fees.

The Cost of the Name

Sources suggest that FIFA was seeking a staggering $1 billion every four years for the use of its name and branding rights. This was a massive leap from the approximately $150 million that EA was reportedly paying annually. From EA’s perspective, the return on investment for the “FIFA” branding wasn’t justifying the exorbitant price tag, especially considering they already possessed licenses for the players, teams, and leagues.

What Was EA Actually Getting?

As EA’s CEO Andrew Wilson reportedly stated in a leaked internal meeting, the value they derived from FIFA in non-World Cup years was essentially just “the four letters on the front of the box.” With the rise of digital downloads and less reliance on physical copies, the box art’s importance diminished, further reducing the perceived value of the FIFA license.

FIFA’s Ambitions

On the other side of the spectrum, FIFA expressed its intention to develop and release its own football game, potentially becoming a direct competitor to EA. This ambition suggested that FIFA wanted more control over its brand within the gaming sphere and a larger slice of the revenue pie. This information connects strongly with the research that is done on the social impacts of gaming by the Games Learning Society. You can explore more on this topic at GamesLearningSociety.org.

The Aftermath: EA Sports FC and FIFA’s Future

The separation has significant implications for both entities.

EA’s Bold Move

By rebranding its football game series to EA Sports FC, EA retains control over its product and avoids the expensive licensing fees imposed by FIFA. More importantly, they continue to leverage their existing relationships with leagues, teams, and players, ensuring the game remains authentic and engaging for its massive player base.

FIFA’s Uncharted Territory

FIFA, on the other hand, is now venturing into the gaming market independently. The success of their endeavor remains to be seen, as they face the challenge of building a new game from scratch and competing against EA’s established franchise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding the separation of EA and FIFA, offering deeper insights into this significant shift in the gaming landscape:

1. What is EA Sports FC? EA Sports FC is the new name for EA’s football video game series, formerly known as FIFA. It represents a fresh start for EA, allowing them to develop the game without the constraints of FIFA’s licensing agreement.

2. Will EA Sports FC be different from FIFA games? While the core gameplay mechanics are expected to remain similar, EA Sports FC will likely introduce new features, modes, and innovations that were previously restricted by the FIFA partnership.

3. Does EA still have the licenses for players and teams? Yes, EA has retained the licenses for the vast majority of players, teams, leagues, and stadiums that were present in previous FIFA games. This ensures that EA Sports FC will still feature authentic and recognizable content.

4. Will FIFA make its own video game? FIFA has announced its intention to develop its own football video game, but details about the project remain scarce. It’s unclear when this game will be released and what it will entail.

5. What impact will this have on the gaming community? The split between EA and FIFA could lead to increased competition in the football gaming market, potentially benefiting players with more choices and innovative gameplay experiences.

6. Why did EA choose to end the partnership? The primary reasons were financial, with FIFA demanding a substantial increase in licensing fees that EA felt wasn’t justified by the value they received.

7. How much was EA paying FIFA previously? EA was reportedly paying FIFA around $150 million annually for the licensing rights to use the FIFA name.

8. When did the partnership between EA and FIFA officially end? The partnership officially ended in May 2022, with FIFA 23 being the last game under the FIFA name developed by EA.

9. Is FIFA 24 still being released? Technically, there will be no “FIFA 24” from EA. The game formerly known as FIFA 24 is being released as EA Sports FC 24.

10. When is EA Sports FC 24 being released? EA Sports FC 24 was released on September 29, 2023, with early access available for those who pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition.

11. Will EA Sports FC include the World Cup? It’s possible that EA Sports FC will include the World Cup in future editions, as EA retains the right to negotiate separate licensing agreements for specific events.

12. Who owns Electronic Arts (EA)? Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ:EA) is a publicly traded company. Institutional investors hold a majority ownership through the 86.56% of the outstanding shares that they control.

13. What happens to the FIFA Ultimate Team mode? The popular Ultimate Team mode will continue in EA Sports FC, retaining its core features and gameplay mechanics.

14. How will FIFA’s game compete with EA Sports FC? FIFA’s game will need to differentiate itself through unique features, gameplay innovations, or exclusive content to attract players away from EA’s established franchise.

15. What are the long-term implications of this split? The long-term implications are significant for the football gaming market, potentially leading to increased competition, innovation, and a shift in the balance of power between game developers and governing bodies.

In conclusion, EA no longer owns FIFA. The end of this 30-year partnership marks a new chapter for both EA and FIFA, with EA forging ahead with EA Sports FC and FIFA embarking on its own gaming journey. Only time will tell how these ventures unfold and what impact they will have on the future of football gaming.