Table of Contents

Why is Brazil “Fake” in FIFA 23? Unraveling the Licensing Labyrinth

The reason Brazil appears “fake” in FIFA 23, and subsequently EA FC 24, boils down to one primary culprit: licensing issues regarding image rights. Electronic Arts (EA), the developer of the FIFA series, has been unable to secure the necessary agreements with all the individual players and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to fully represent the Seleção Canarinha (Brazilian national team) in the game. This means while the Brazilian national team exists in the game, it features generic players with fictional names and appearances instead of the actual stars we all know and love, such as Neymar and Vinícius Júnior. The game can feature Brazilian players only if their club team has a license agreement.

The Intricacies of Licensing in FIFA

Understanding the licensing landscape is key to grasping why this happens. FIFA isn’t just about programming code and graphical prowess; it’s a complex web of contracts and agreements. EA needs to secure licenses from several entities:

FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association): This is the overarching organization that grants EA the right to use the FIFA name and World Cup branding.
Leagues and Clubs: Licenses are needed to feature official league names, team logos, stadiums, and kits. EA often secures these agreements on a league-by-league or club-by-club basis.
Player Associations (e.g., FIFPro): These organizations represent professional players and often negotiate collective image rights deals.
Individual Players: In some cases, particularly with national teams, EA needs to negotiate individual image rights with players to accurately represent them in the game. This is where the Brazil issue becomes particularly thorny.

Brazil’s unique situation stems from the fact that individual players and the CBF retain significant control over their image rights. Securing individual agreements with every player in the squad can be a logistical nightmare, especially when players have separate deals with different companies. It becomes easier for EA to opt out of acquiring the necessary agreements and include the Brazilian team with fictitious players.

The Impact on Gameplay and Player Experience

The absence of real Brazilian players in the national team significantly impacts the gameplay experience for many FIFA fans. Building dream squads in Ultimate Team or playing through Career Mode loses a layer of authenticity when you can’t field the real Seleção. While Brazilian players are still available through their club teams, the inability to use the fully realized national team is a frustrating omission for many. However, this presents an interesting opportunity for exploration. The Games Learning Society, for example, could investigate the psychological impact of altered representation in video games and how it affects player identification and engagement, at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Licensing Beyond Brazil: A Broader Issue

Brazil isn’t alone in facing licensing issues. Over the years, other national teams and leagues have been absent or partially represented in FIFA due to similar disagreements. For instance, some Italian clubs like Roma, Lazio, Atalanta, and Napoli have appeared under different names and logos due to exclusive agreements with Konami’s eFootball. And, teams from Russia were banned from international football games following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This highlights the ongoing tension between game developers, rights holders, and players in the digital sports world. It emphasizes how the pursuit of realism in video games is often constrained by legal and financial realities.

Moving Forward: The Future of Licensing in FIFA (EA FC)

As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, the negotiation of licensing agreements will remain a critical aspect of sports game development. EA will likely continue to pursue agreements with major leagues and clubs, but the issue of individual player image rights, particularly in the case of national teams like Brazil, may persist.

One potential solution could be a more streamlined process for negotiating collective image rights deals with national football federations. Another approach might involve focusing on creating a more robust roster of generic players with diverse attributes, making the fictional teams more engaging and competitive. Until these licensing issues are resolved, Brazilian fans in FIFA 23 will have to settle for a somewhat diluted version of their beloved national team.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to provide even more clarity on the situation:

Why is Brazil’s national team not fully licensed in FIFA 23?

Due to difficulties in securing image rights agreements with all Brazilian players and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), the national team appears with generic players.

Can I still play with Brazilian players in FIFA 23?

Yes! Brazilian players are still available in FIFA 23 through their respective club teams, such as Real Madrid (Vinícius Júnior), Paris Saint-Germain (Neymar), and Liverpool (Alisson).

Will Brazil be fully licensed in future FIFA (EA FC) games?

It’s uncertain. EA will likely continue to negotiate with the CBF and individual players, but the complexities of image rights mean there’s no guarantee of a resolution.

Why are some club teams not accurately represented in FIFA?

Some clubs have exclusive licensing agreements with rival games like eFootball, preventing EA from using their official names, logos, and kits.

What are image rights?

Image rights refer to the legal rights that individuals (in this case, football players) have to control the use of their likeness (name, image, voice) for commercial purposes.

Who controls the image rights of Brazilian players?

Brazilian players and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) largely control their image rights.

How do licensing issues impact the overall gameplay experience in FIFA?

The absence of real players and teams can detract from the authenticity and immersion of the game, especially for fans who want to play with their favorite teams and stars.

What is FIFPro?

FIFPro is the world players’ union, representing professional footballers worldwide. They often negotiate collective image rights deals on behalf of their members.

Is licensing a problem only for FIFA?

No, licensing issues affect all sports video games. Securing rights to use team names, logos, player likenesses, and stadiums is a crucial but often challenging aspect of game development.

Why doesn’t EA just pay more for the licenses?

The cost of securing all the necessary licenses can be prohibitive, especially for smaller leagues and national teams. EA has to balance the cost of licenses against the potential revenue generated by the game.

What happens when a player transfers to a new club that isn’t licensed in FIFA?

The player’s representation in the game may be affected. They might appear with a generic team until EA can update the game with the proper licenses.

How do licensing agreements affect the development of new features in FIFA?

Licensing agreements can influence the features that EA can include in the game. For example, the absence of certain stadiums may prevent EA from accurately recreating specific matchday experiences.

Are generic players in FIFA randomly generated?

Generic players have pre-determined stats and abilities. In some cases, EA may update these players to reflect real-world player transfers or performance changes.

Is it possible for fans to create custom teams and players in FIFA to overcome licensing issues?

Yes! FIFA allows players to create and customize teams and players, helping overcome some restrictions.

Where can I learn more about the impact of gaming and representation?

You can explore related research and discussions on the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Why is Brazil fake in FIFA 23?