Update: The President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, has issued a pretty damning response to today's news, claiming that "the only authentic, real game that has the FIFA name will be the best one available for gamers and football fans."
In addition, it's been confirmed that FIFA still plans to release games under the "FIFA" branding moving forward. So while EA won't be carrying the name anymore, it seems we may yet be getting a "FIFA 24" or "FIFA 25" and beyond!
We've covered this news more thoroughly elsewhere on Pure Xbox:
Original story: Yes, after a long running licensing agreement that's seen the FIFA brand name attached to EA's soccer franchise since FIFA International Soccer back in 1993, this year's FIFA 23 is set to be the final entry in the series to carry the FIFA name.
As announced just a short while ago on Twitter, EA will continue with the franchise under the new moniker of EA Sports FC.
A press release on the game's official website goes into more details, stating that:
Next year, EA SPORTS FC will become the future of football from EA SPORTS. Alongside our 300+ license partners across the sport, we’re ready to take global football experiences to new heights, on behalf of all football fans around the world.
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 there. Our unique licensing portfolio of more than 19,000+ players, 700+ teams, 100+ stadiums and 30 leagues that we’ve continued to invest in for decades will still be there, uniquely in EA SPORTS FC. That includes exclusive partnerships with the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, the MLS – and more to come.
This new independent platform will bring fresh opportunity – to innovate, create and evolve. This is much more than just a change of symbol - as EA SPORTS, we’re committed to ensuring EA SPORTS FC is a symbol of change. We’re dedicated to meaningfully reinvesting in the sport, and we’re excited to work with a large and increasing number of partners to expand to new authentic experiences that bring joy, inclusivity and immersion to a global community of fans. I look forward to sharing more detail on these plans in the coming months.
Nike was also quick to show their support for the new game on social media with a new partnership revealed:
It's been in the offing for a while now, and rumours have been circulating more and more in the past few months, but it's now finally official and it looks as though the change will take place right after this winter's Qatar World Cup. FIFA, as a video game franchise, is set to be relegated to gaming history, as the soccer series now looks to march forward into a new future under a brand new banner.
Are you sad to see the FIFA name gone from EA's soccer franchise? Let us know in the comments!
[source ea.com]
Comments 15
.... It is now
Seriously though due to the new naming I can see them losing a lot of regulars to begin with. They need to promote and communicate very well about this change going forward especially to those who don't read gaming news sites.
Maybe a disclaimer in shops or on online listings stating the name change and that its the same game
Great now the name will be as bad as the games.
People are still going to be calling it FIFA anyways.
@Clankylad greed goes both ways. FIFA been sat there watching the massive amount of profit made by EA gambling mechanics each year, they thought they’d get some.
EA, In typical fashion, are protecting their shareholders and the bottom line.
In fact, any other competitor can buy the fifa licence and compete with FC, and EA will have to compete EAFC24 vs Fifa24. How things can turn
What will be hilarious is if Konami buys the FIFA rights and makes eFootball the new FIFA24. It'll be like Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons, but for normies.
@NEStalgia Was thinking the same. FIFA 23 = eFootball Season 3
Anyone else have no idea what FC stands for? Football Club?
@OliverOwen Yeah, FC refers to Football Club.
Just to add to this story, BBC are reporting that Fifa themselves have said they will continue make a fifa football game
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-61383672
I imagine either 2K, sony or microsoft may go sniffing for the licence, then everyone would buy it thinking its the new fifa they have come to know
@FraserG Thank you, I'm American and an learning new things all the time!
This will hurt EA which I am not opposed to. I doubt FIFA will allow them to use Club names and athletes names. What's going to happen to EA is like what happened to 2K when they lost the NFL license.
@Tasuki they have licensing for names etc independent of FIFA themselves. From the article:
"Our unique licensing portfolio of more than 19,000+ players, 700+ teams, 100+ stadiums and 30 leagues that we’ve continued to invest in for decades will still be there, uniquely in EA SPORTS FC."
Removed - inappropriate language
Excellent. Now EA will be saving a hundreds of millions of dollars per game in licensing fees they can get rid of all the lootbox microtransactions, and reduce the price of the game as those were only necessary due to how expensive these games are to license and make. Right?...
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