EA Sports to no longer make games under Fifa name
The Fifa branded football series will be coming to a close in 2023 as developers fail to strike a new licensing deal with world football's governing body.
Instead, EA Sports FC will be introduced from 2023 after the company creates the final game in partnership with Fifa later this year.
EA has been producing a Fifa game for around three decades and its fond association with fans worldwide helped the Zurich-based organisation's brand when it was tarnished amid a wave of arrests of football officials in 2015.
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Fifa 23, which is due to be released later this year, is set to feature the men’s and women’s Fifa World Cup competitions in one edition for the first time.
EA Sports said it will also retain its licences for players, teams, leagues and stadiums.
“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," Executive Vice President Cam Weber said. “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.”
The company said the new “independent platform” will give it a “fresh opportunity… to innovate, create and evolve”.
The EA Sports Fifa games are one of the most successful brands in the history of the industry, first launching in 1993.
But now Fifa will have to search for new video gaming opportunities beyond EA.
“We’re thankful for our many years of great partnership with Fifa," EA CEO Andrew Wilson said.
"The future of global football is very bright, and fandom around the world has never been stronger.
"We have an incredible opportunity to put EA SPORTS FC at the heart of the sport, and to bring even more innovative and authentic experiences to the growing football audience.”