After months of rumors, reports, and speculation, EA finally confirmed on Tuesday that its football games will not carry the FIFA brand moving forward. Well, at least not after FIFA 23 which will launch as originally planned later this year. After that, EA's football sims will be known as EA Sports FC. However, as has since been confirmed by the governing body's president, that doesn't mean FIFA games are about to become a thing of the past.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino published a passionate statement about the news shortly after EA confirmed it. In that statement, Infantini confirms FIFA will continue to make games after FIFA 23, and they will continue to be the best football games available. “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,” Infantino writes.
“The FIFA name is the only global, original title. FIFA 23, FIFA 24, FIFA 25 and FIFA 26, and so on – the constant is the FIFA name and it will remain forever and remain THE BEST.” That obviously means FIFA will need to find a new publisher, a search that has apparently already begun. Meanwhile, clubs around the world have started to commit to EA's new plans, tweeting that they're “in the club”.
There had been reports for a while that EA was considering a move away from the FIFA brand. Earlier this year, an EA boss told employees he believed the FIFA name was impeding the series' progress. Starting next year, we will find out whether he was accurate in saying that or not. FIFA was recently named the most successful video game series since 1995 in the UK, one of its biggest markets, so EA Sports FC will have a tall task ahead.
FIFA has also confirmed it already has other games in the pipeline, one of which will be launching later this year as it is connected to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar kicking off this November. It's described as “a tailored gaming experience”, but it won't be a simulation game like FIFA.
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