The End of an Era: Is FIFA Going to Be Called FIFA?
The short answer is no. After a 30-year run, the iconic “FIFA” name is no longer attached to Electronic Arts’ (EA) flagship football (soccer) video game series. What was formerly known as FIFA is now called EA Sports FC, marking a seismic shift in the world of virtual football. This change isn’t merely cosmetic; it signifies a fundamental restructuring of the relationship between EA and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the governing body of the sport.
The Divorce: Why the Split?
The parting of ways between EA and FIFA is a complex story rooted in financial disagreements and evolving ambitions. For decades, EA paid FIFA a hefty licensing fee – reportedly $150 million annually – for the exclusive right to use the FIFA name, along with official logos, team names, and player likenesses. However, as the FIFA game franchise grew into a global behemoth, EA began to question the value it was receiving for that massive investment.
FIFA, on the other hand, saw the immense success of the game as an opportunity to demand a significantly larger fee, reportedly doubling it to $300 million per year. Furthermore, FIFA allegedly wanted to restrict EA’s licensing rights to only soccer simulation, precluding EA from venturing into other gaming avenues that FIFA thought fell under their purview.
EA, confident in its own brand recognition and the quality of its game, balked at these demands. The company felt that its own technology, gameplay innovations, and deep relationships with various leagues and players contributed far more to the game’s success than the FIFA name alone.
EA Sports FC: A New Beginning
The birth of EA Sports FC represents EA’s bet that it can thrive independent of the FIFA license. While the name is different, EA has been keen to emphasize that the core gameplay experience, licensed teams, leagues, and player likenesses that fans know and love will remain intact. EA has secured agreements with organizations like the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, UEFA, and CONMEBOL to secure the rights to their respective content.
This allows EA Sports FC to feature authentic teams, stadiums, and players from around the globe. The change signifies that EA is betting on the strength of its own brand and its close relationships with the actual soccer ecosystem to continue driving the popularity of its game.
FIFA’s Future in Gaming
The end of the EA partnership doesn’t mean the end of FIFA’s involvement in video games. FIFA has announced its intention to develop its own football games in the future. The FIFA president stated in 2022 that “The FIFA name is the only global, original title. FIFA 23, FIFA 24, FIFA 25 and 26, and so on – the constant is the FIFA name and it will remain forever and remain the best”. However, the details of these future games remain shrouded in mystery. What is certain, is that any FIFA game will need to go head to head with EA Sports FC, presenting a significant challenge for the organization.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the split between EA and FIFA, and the future of football gaming:
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Why is FIFA 24 called EA Sports FC 24?
Because EA’s licensing agreement with FIFA expired, and the company chose not to renew it due to financial disagreements and differing visions for the future.
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Did EA lose the rights to the FIFA name?
Yes. With the end of the partnership, EA no longer has the right to use the FIFA name for its video games.
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Will EA Sports FC still have real teams and players?
Yes! EA has secured agreements with numerous leagues and federations to ensure that EA Sports FC will feature authentic teams, players, stadiums, and competitions.
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Is EA Sports FC just a re-skin of the old FIFA games?
While the core gameplay and many familiar features will remain, EA Sports FC represents a new chapter for the franchise. EA is promising innovations and improvements to the game, and some believe the absence of FIFA regulations will allow for more creative freedom.
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Will there be a FIFA 24 game made by someone else?
FIFA has announced its intention to develop its own football games. However, details about these games, including the developer and release date, are still unknown.
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What happens to my FIFA 23 game? Will it still work?
Yes, your FIFA 23 game will continue to function as normal. The change in name only affects future releases.
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How much does EA Sports FC 24 cost?
The standard edition of EA Sports FC 24 is priced similarly to previous FIFA releases, around $69.99 / £69.99, though prices may vary depending on the platform and retailer.
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Will EA Sports FC have Ultimate Team?
Yes, Ultimate Team, the popular card-collecting and team-building mode, is returning in EA Sports FC.
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What does “FC” stand for in EA Sports FC?
FC stands for Football Club, a nod to the global football community that the game aims to represent.
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Will EA Sports FC be free to play?
No, EA Sports FC 24 will not be a free-to-play title. There will be standard and ultimate versions available to purchase.
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Who is making FIFA after EA?
As of now, it is uncertain which developer will create future FIFA games. Konami, the creator of eFootball (formerly PES), is a potential candidate, but nothing has been confirmed.
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Why did EA and FIFA split?
The primary reason for the split was a financial disagreement over the licensing fee that FIFA was demanding. EA considered the fee too high, especially given the value it felt it was bringing to the game. FIFA, for its part, likely wanted to capitalize further on the game’s immense popularity.
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What will happen to the old FIFA games? Can I still buy them?
EA may no longer have the right to sell older FIFA-branded games digitally. You may still be able to find physical copies of older games at retailers or on the second-hand market.
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Is EA Sports FIFA being discontinued?
Yes, the FIFA series of games produced by EA is being discontinued and replaced by the EA Sports FC series. FIFA 23 was the last title in the EA FIFA franchise.
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Will the gameplay change significantly in EA Sports FC?
EA has promised gameplay enhancements and innovations in EA Sports FC. While the fundamental football simulation experience will remain familiar, players can expect to see improvements to the graphics, physics, AI, and other aspects of the game. Whether these changes are radical or incremental remains to be seen. The world of gaming and education are intertwined, and research institutions like the Games Learning Society explore the impact and potential of games in learning.