In a move that surprised digital gamers worldwide, Electronic Arts (EA) has delisted its entire library of FIFA titles from online gaming storefronts, with the sudden decision occurring just days before the launch of EA Sports FC 24.
The renowned FIFA games, which have been a staple of sports gaming for decades, are now unavailable for purchase on digital platforms like Steam, the PlayStation Store, the Microsoft Store, and the Nintendo eShop.
EA’s decision means that those who hadn’t yet bought titles such as last year’s FIFA 23 are out of luck. Most notably, the delistings also extend to older games in the series, going back to FIFA 14. It’s worth noting those who have purchased a previous release can still access and play them without any issues. Additionally, both FIFA 22 and FIFA 23 are still on EA Play, the company’s subscription-based gaming service.
The catalyst for such a sweeping removal remains speculative, but several signs point to licensing issues. EA’s years long partnership with FIFA, which spanned thirty years, was dissolved last year. Despite this termination, EA has continued to produce football video games but under a rebranded title, moving away from the FIFA moniker to introduce their EA Sports FC series. The new title, EA Sports FC 24, which has been available in early access, will have its official launch on September 29.
It’s worth noting that this rebranding doesn’t impact the likeness of players, clubs, or even national teams featured in the games. While EA no longer holds rights to the FIFA branding, which includes iconic tournaments like the World Cup, in-game content reflecting real-world football will remain mostly unaffected.
It remains to be seen how Electronic Arts’ branding, or lack thereof, will affect sales. It’s possible FIFA was right to ask a high price because the FIFA series’ appeal lied mainly in the value of the internationally recognized FIFA branding. But, it’s also possible that players will simply gravitate towards whatever EA’s next soccer sim will be, regardless of branding. After all, whether it’s known as FIFA or EA Sports FC or whatever, it’s still going to be made by the same people who’s worked on it for decades – for better or for worse.
Ultimately, what’s important is the core gameplay experience, which EA has nailed down to a T and what’s likely going to drive sales.
While EA’s move to erase an entire series from digital storefronts may appear drastic, it isn’t entirely unprecedented. If anything, it was expected. If newer soccer sims by EA could no longer use the FIFA branding, this likely included older titles as well. However, this incident shines a light on the complex intersection of licensing agreements, branding, and fan loyalty.
As the world of digital gaming continues to evolve, companies like EA will need to navigate these waters carefully while trying to strike a balance between business decisions and fan expectations.
As for the broader implications, the FIFA series’ departure from digital stores highlights a few critical points. Firstly, it underscores the volatile nature of digital game ownership. Without a physical copy, access to a game is contingent on ever-shifting online ecosystems and corporate decisions. Secondly, it underscores the power of branding in the sports gaming world.
Will EA Sports FC carry the same gravitas and allure without the globally recognized FIFA tag? Only time will tell.
