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Breaking Up the Beautiful Way? FIFA and EA Decide to Part Ways
After years of highly successful collaboration, FIFA and EA Sports have chosen separate ways, leading to the rebranding of the iconic football video game ‘FIFA’ as ‘FC 24’ starting in 2024.
FIFA and EA Split
After years of one of the most successful collaborations in the world of video games, FIFA and EA Sports decided to separate their paths. Although there were negotiations for several months, none of the parties could reach an agreement, so starting in 2024, the famous football game “FIFA” was renamed FC 24.
This is because the global football governing body, FIFA, and its president firmly believe that the license to use FIFA’s name carries a value of at least double the USD 150 million that Electronic Arts previously paid for these rights.
In addition, FIFA was looking to use its name in other video games and digital products, which bothered EA since, in the video game market, they are the ones who developed the name FIFA, and the fact that other companies can use it seems unfair.
” We have literally spent hundreds of millions of dollars building this and you’re telling me that Epic Games can come in and get a license to the name that we have built and that we have put front and center and that has become synonymous with games?” -Peter Moore, a former head of EA’s sports division
NEW FC 24
For this new game, EA continues to have the rights to major teams and leagues, such as the Champions League or the Premier League. The USD 488 million agreement between EA and the Premier League for exclusive playing rights sets an extension for the next six years and will offer all 20 Premier League clubs, including all players, stadiums, and more.
EA has been developing the best soccer game for many years, which gives them the upper hand with the fans. The new FC 24 registered the best release in history for a football game, even without the iconic FIFA name. Therefore, it is expected that EA will exceed the profits they had last year of USD 1.2 billion just for the ultimate team mode.
EA also announced FC 24, its competitive tournament, in which there will be different local leagues from which the best players will qualify for the World Cup in addition to other players from associated leagues to make a 32-player tournament.
On the other hand, FIFA’s president, Giovanni Infantino, said that they would develop another game of their own for 2024. However, no action has been taken yet.
“I can assure you that the only authentic, real game that has the FIFA name will be the best one available for gamers and football fans.” Giovanni Infantino
