It is now official - EA and FIFA are splitting up!
After months of rumours and speculation, the news has become official, with the two companies parting ways.
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You may worry about what this means for your football gaming future but fear not, it looks like we're going to get even more titles to choose from.
Irreconcilable Differences
It seemed like just a matter of time before it happened, with leaks coming out that EA and FIFA would be ending their partnership, and now the details are finalised.
Apparently, EA was unhappy with how much control and revenue FIFA wanted over the game, seemingly judging themselves as a bigger part of the FIFA franchise than EA considered them.
This was summed up succinctly when, as VGC previously reported, EA CEO Andrew Wilson supposedly said:
“Basically, what we get from FIFA in a non-World Cup year is the four letters on the front of the box"
We already know that EA plan on continuing to roll out football games, with EA Sports FC announced, and it looks like there will be some familiar competition.
Future Focussed
Even before the split, FIFA announced they were looking toward other gaming companies to partner with.
In a swipe at EA, part of their statement read:
FIFA is bullish and excited about the future in gaming and eSports for football, and it is clear that this needs to be a space that is occupied by more than one party controlling all rights.
Their plan of action was clear, FIFA knew it would not get a renewed deal with EA and was already preparing for the future.
Technology and mobile companies are now actively competing to be associated with FIFA, its platforms, and global tournaments.
Consequently, FIFA is engaging with various industry players, including developers, investors and analysts, to build out a long-term view of the gaming, eSports and interactive entertainment sector.
It wouldn't just be a new FIFA game they were working on, but an expansion into several areas, with multiple projects in the entertainment market.
Fighting Talk
Since the official announcement, both parties have stated their plans for the future, showing they aren't reliant on each other to continue to be big players.
This included the bold statement from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who said:
"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. FIFA 23, FIFA 24, FIFA 25 and FIFA 26, and so on - the constant is the FIFA name and it will remain forever and remain THE BEST."
That's right, just because EA won't be involved after FIFA 23 doesn't mean we will be without future FIFA games.
As well as launching a portfolio of new games during 2022 and 2023, FIFA 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.
Not only will this likely include FIFA 24, FIFA 25, and so on, but also a whole array of other games.
FIFA announced in their statement:
A number of new non-simulation games are already under production and will launch during the third quarter of this year.
With these new games in production, FIFA 24 in the works, EA Sports FC announced, eFootball out now, and UFL and GOALS in development, the future looks bright for football games!
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