In recent years, it became apparent that major publishers are eager to reinvent prominent franchises with complete rebrands of its intellectual property; especially if it’s a soccer/football game series. While Pro Evolution Soccer faced a vacant year in 2020, the following year introduced eFootball as Konami would be transitioning the series into a free-to-play title instead moving forward.
Additionally, Electronic Arts is also looking for new opportunity to evolve the current state of its FIFA series as well. While it is uncertain if it will follow the same route Konami headed with eFootball, the firm is heavily considering a new name change. In that, the FIFA name would be dropped from the titling altogether according to a previous earnings call.
This week, publisher Electronic Arts announced the FIFA label has officially been stripped with EA Sports FC now taking the spotlight moving forward starting in 2023.
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, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Serie A, the MLS – and more to come.
Cam Weber, Electronic Sports & Racing Executive Vice President & General Manager
“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 FC, 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.”
Weber adds, “EA Sports FC will allow us to realize this future and much more…but not before we deliver our most expansive game ever with our current naming rights partner, FIFA, for one more year. We are committed to ensuring the next FIFA is our best ever, with more features, game modes, World Cup content, clubs, leagues, competitions, and players than any FIFA title before.”
What are your thoughts on the direction the series is heading in with EA Sports FC next year?
Source: Electronic Arts
