Electronic Arts separates from FIFA after a long partnership spanning almost three decades. As a result, the FIFA football game series, one of the video game industry’s most successful series, will come to an end.
EA has reportedly made an offer to FIFA for an exclusive eight-year deal for all FIFA rights to games and esports. Notwithstanding, the football authority was unwilling to allocate all gaming and football rights to just one publisher, according to a Reuters report.
FIFA 23 may be the final FIFA game by EA Sports
FIFA said it will release new soccer video games developed by third-party studios and publishers. However, a short-term extension has reportedly been granted to EA Sports. This allows EA Sports to launch a new FIFA 23 game later this year.
This game, the successor to FIFA 22, the current and newest soccer game from EA Sports, is likely to be their ultimate collaboration.
The split signals were first spotted months ago when FIFA was said to have sought to increase revenue from EA Sports, which was double the $150 million it receives annually, according to a report from The New York Times.
EA Sports has stated that it plans to release a new version of the game called “EA Sports FC” next year. This game will still have more than 300 licensing partners including the English Premier League, La Liga and even UEFA, which means that the Champions League will be a part of the game.
This deal means that EA Sports will retain the rights to most of the popular football clubs and stars along with the leagues. Notwithstanding, the World Cup and other FIFA-controlled items will not be part of the games.