FIFA and EA Sports snap ties after 30 years, leaving video game in a lurch. What happened?

The biggest and best-selling football game, FIFA, is embarking on a new chapter as it severs all ties with the FIFA brand. It is now rebranded as EA Sports FC and is ready to unveil its latest edition, EA Sports FC 24.

The end of a 30-year phenomenon

FIFA, a globally renowned and top-selling game since its inception, marked a significant turning point last year when Electronic Arts (EA) Sports, the gaming company behind it, made a momentous announcement.

In May 2022, EA Sports declared that its football game would no longer bear the FIFA name and would instead be known as EA Sports FC. FIFA 23, the last edition to carry the FIFA moniker, officially marked the conclusion of a three-decade partnership between FIFA and EA. Simultaneously, EA Sports announced the launch of their revamped football game as EA Sports FC 24.

This announcement triggered widespread speculation about the implications of this rebranding and the motivations behind it. Reports of longstanding disagreements on various business matters between the partners had circulated even before the official announcement.

Experts view EA Sports' decision to rebrand as a bold and potentially risky move, but the gaming industry giants have a different perspective.

What led to the move

According to The New York Times, several factors drove EA's decision to sever ties with FIFA:

• FIFA's demand to double its $150 million licensing fee from Electronic Arts in order to maintain the usage of its name.

• EA's questioning of the value of this substantial expenditure.

• EA's refusal to comply with FIFA's request, asserting that FIFA's contributions to the game, particularly outside of World Cup years, do not align with the requested amount.

Changes beyond the name

Beyond the rebranding, EA Sports FC 24 retains much of its familiar gameplay, features, and online gaming experience. An early preview of the game, released by EA a few months ago, showcases some notable improvements:

• Improved graphics
• Updated player ratings
• New player celebration animations

EA Sports FC 24 is set to launch on September 29, 2023, with the mobile version of the game already available for download.