End of FIFA game as partnership with EA Sports dissolves
Our most beloved childhood game FIFA has officially ended it’s partnership with EA Sports. There will be no FIFA, 2023 onwards.
Instead EA Sports are ready to launch their own game in EA Sports FC.
FIFA was first launched on 15th December 1993. It was an instant hit. For almost 3 decades, FIFA has been the one game that has excited every football fan.
From having just national teams to FIFA street in FIFA 2020, the game has changed a lot. Thanks to FIFA, every football fan could learn about the highs and lows of managing a football club.
For many, FIFA means a game rather than a sports politics institution. Now FIFA will have to search for new video gaming opportunities beyond EA.
“We’re thankful for our many years of great partnership with FIFA. The future of global football is very bright, and fandom around the world has never been stronger.” EA CEO Andrew Wilson said.
“We have an incredible opportunity to put EA SPORTS FC at the heart of the sport, and to bring even more innovative and authentic experiences to the growing football audience,” added Mr Wilson
FIFA is not just a game, but also an E-Sport. There have been numerous tournaments held-official and unofficial, where players from all over the world have showcased their gaming talent.
To put this into numbers, EA Sports FC(the then FIFA) is the 7th highest selling game of all time, with 325 million copies sold up till now as per the stats on Wikipedia.
FIFA has restructured its esports tournaments with three new competitive pathways and a combined prize money pot of $4.35 million.
This shows that FIFA is more than just a game.
Even the Premier League, one of the World’s most followed league across all sports, held a FIFA tournament during the lockdown.
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers player Diogo Jota was the winner of that online gaming tournament.
It will be intersting to see whether FIFA can strike a deal with any other company or will players have to shift to EA Sports FC.
Currently, FIFA are looking to work with third-party studios to develop later titles after its split from EA Sports.
