Back in March we reported that the relationship between game publisher EA and the FIFA corporation had been deteriorating, with reports late last year suggesting that EA may in fact lose the FIFA license due to the two parties being unable to settle a monetary dispute regarding licensing fees. EA has now officially confirmed that their football games will no longer carry the FIFA license, instead being named EA Sports FC.
Making the announcement on their blog, Cam Weber, the EVP, Group GM at EA SPORTS & Racing began by saying “To football fans everywhere, I want to start by thanking this incredible community of more than 150 million fans for helping build the world’s biggest football entertainment platform – EA SPORTS FIFA.”
Weber continued, “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.”
According to Weber and EA, fans of the series should not be dejected by this news, especially as “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” – including the series’ controversial FIFA Ultimate Team mode.
If EA is to be believed, this new identity is an opportunity for the franchise to evolve in new ways, saying “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” – though these changes were not defined, instead promising “more detail on these plans in the coming months.”
The full statement by EA can be found HERE, but it seems we will have to wait a bit longer for the full breakdown of what will become of EA Sports FC, with EA announcing that “We’re incredibly excited to build the future of global football with all of you, and will be happy to share more info on EA SPORTS FC in Summer 2023.”
Football games have been mostly stagnant in recent years, with the rules placed on the FIFA license potentially halting innovation. Of course, it is just as likely that things will carry on as normal with annual premium EA Sports FC releases featuring minimal changes. Ultimately, we will have to wait and see what becomes of this reinvention.
KitGuru says: What do you think of the name? Do you play football? Do you think this will be a blessing in disguise for football fans? Let us know down below.