Out for FIFA! EA ends partnership and that changes for fans
In the future, FIFA games will be called EA Sports FC.
There have been apparent problems in the partnership between EA Sports and FIFA for a long time, and now both are officially going their separate ways. This also means that FIFA 23 will be the last game from EA with the naming rights, the series will be called EA Sports FC. In at least one thing fans can be reassured, because the existing exclusive partnerships should continue to be part of the football series.
EA and FIFA separate, leaving EA Sports FC
It has long been clear that EA Sports and FIFA would probably not extend their exclusive deal. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that FIFA prefers to distribute its licenses to several cooperation partners, but probably also to the annoyance of EA, which would have to pay a whopping sum to continue using the naming rights.
Now both have ended the partnership with each other and FIFA 23 will be the last game in the series with the old name. After that, however, it should not be over with the football simulation, rather it will continue under the new name EA Sports FC, like EA in one blog entry announces.
What does this mean for the licenses?
While games may no longer call themselves “FIFA” in the future, the franchise will retain many of its licenses, including exclusive partnerships with the Bundesliga, Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and MLS:
Everything you love about our games will be part of EA SPORTS FC – the same great experiences, modes, leagues, tournaments, clubs and athletes will be there. Ultimate Team, Career Mode, Pro Clubs, and VOLTA Football will all be included. Our unique range of licenses with more than 19,000 players, over 700 teams, over 100 stadiums and 30 leagues in which we have invested over decades will continue to exist
So it sounds as if not much will change for fans of the FIFA series for the time being, only that the games will come in a new guise.
EA Sports FC is meant to bring change
But not everything should remain the same. In the blog entry, EA promises to use the series’ independence to become more innovative and creative. That doesn’t seem surprising, after all, EA has complained in the past that FIFA is to blame for the slow development of the series. It remains to be seen whether the split from FIFA will really lead to an evolution of the game series. We will know more by summer 2023 at the latest, when EA wants to share more details about the new game.
But before that happens, FIFA 23 will be released this year. After all, according to EA, it should end with a bang and this year’s offshoot will be “the best FIFA of all time”.
What do you think of it, are you interested in the name of the game or are you attached to the licenses?
Reference-www.gamepro.de