Given that we have been receiving FIFA games nonstop for 30 years straight, who could have thought that one day we would wake up only to hear that there would be no next FIFA game in the lineup?
This news, which dawned on us Football fans, was no less than earth-shaking back in May 2022 when EA Games announced that they were winding up their cooperation with FIFA. Although it was breaking news that kept circulating all over social media, fans kept themselves clung to the hope that maybe… maybe there would be some reconciliation, maybe there would be some talks, and maybe EA and FIFA would reach a mutual agreement.
Unfortunately, none of that happened and the legend that first started way back in 1993, when the first FIFA game made its way onto Sega Genesis in the fall of December, came to a rather heartrending conclusion.
Nevertheless, following the breakup of EA and FIFA, some interesting developments have taken place. Although FIFA games by EA have been officially put to an end, this did not stop EA Games from developing football games. They still retain access to “more than 300 individual licensed partners, giving players access to more than 19000 athletes across 700 teams, in 100 stadiums and over 30 leagues around the world.”
In September 2023, just when we were expected to see FIFA 24, we got EA Sports FC 2024; or simply FC 24 for short. As such, FC 24 is the official replacement of what was to be FIFA 24, and there is no such thing called FIFA 24.
Anyways, it’s a new adventure, promising an all-new take on the critically acclaimed football games and fans are already looking forward to buying FC coins to give themselves a head start in the game.
With that said, it’s imperative to note that one cannot help but wonder what went wrong. Therefore, in this article, we will delve into the reasons behind this unfortunate collapse of probably one of the most classic duos ever in the history of gaming. Let’s get started!
In a nutshell, it all came down to FIFA doubling its licensing fees for EA Games if they were to continue using their name. And EA Games was buying none of it.
Actually, it does not all boil down to money matters because it’s not like EA Games had become cash-strapped or was running low on money. Sure, they can easily shell out $300 million only if they get something as valuable in return. As such, there’s more to it than what meets the eye.
As reported by one EA employee, when FIFA doubled its licensing fees, from $150 million per year to a whopping $300 million per year, this led EA Games to question the value they get in return.
To quote exactly, Andrew Wison, CEO of EA; told his employees: “Basically, what we get from FIFA in a non-World Cup year is the four letters on the front of the box, in a world where most people don’t even see the box anymore because they buy the game digitally.”
As such, this leads one to think “Will there be no more FIFA games now?”
Fortunately, or unfortunately, this is not so as FIFA also says that it is “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.” However, as we have all seen, there has been no FIFA 24.
Nevertheless, FIFA President Gianni Infantino remains adamant since as per him FIFA is “the only authentic, real game” and “the best one available for gamers and football fans”.
As of writing, FIFA 23 remains the latest FIFA game. Despite attempts by FIFA to get in collab with game publishers, all attempts have been futile till now.
In my opinion, their best bet remains with the publisher 2K. In fact, when reports of the FIFA license being available first emerged, Strauss Zelnick, the CEO of 2K, was approached regarding this matter.
His answer? Well, he simply said “We haven’t been in that sport before. And erm, I think I’ll leave it at that today.”
Now, as we conclude, although what eventually becomes of FIFA remains yet to be seen, we must now move on and see what new tidings and fresh gameplay can FC 24 possibly offer. Given that players are rushing to buy FC coins, it’s clear that a new beginning in the world of football simulation games has officially begun!
