This year marks a new era for EA with the launch of its upcoming video game, EA Sports FC. The game publisher teased new details about the title, which is the first entry in EA's soccer video game franchise that won't use the FIFA branding.
EA Sports FC to Include 19,000 Soccer Stars with the FIFPRO License
As reported by GameSpot, EA Sports started its promotion for EA Sports FC. For video game fans, the upcoming title is significant since it will officially mark the end of EA Sports' partnership with FIFA, which lasted for 30 years. Now that the video game franchise is moving forward without FIFA, fans are wondering if there will be big changes to be introduced in EA Sports FC.
The game publisher gave a preview of the upcoming video game's new logo, which is the first major difference from the previous installments in the franchise since it won't bear the FIFA branding. Furthermore, EA revealed the game's connection with the major clubs and domestic leagues in Europe, North America and South America.
Now that EA's new soccer video game won't be under FIFA, EA Sports FC gets the FIFPRO license, giving access to more than 19,000 actual soccer players. Fans can also expect additional 700 teams and 300 leagues to be featured in the game, and there should be "more than 300 global football partners" that include women's professional leagues. Hence, the game should have the US National Women's Soccer League and the UK Women's Super League.
"This is where the story of EA Sports FC begins," the game series' general manager Nick Wlodyka told the press via Polygon. "We're building on 30 years of leadership and history creating experiences that bring the global football community together and continuing to take it into a fan-first future."
After EA's teaser this week, fans can expect to hear more about EA Sports FC in July. For now, the publisher boasts that the game shall be "a platform to create, innovate and grow new football experiences." EA Sports FC is expected to be released later this year.
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Reason for EA Sports Parting Ways with FIFA Still Unclear
It can be recalled that EA's 30-year partnership with FIFA officially ended last year. Under the FIFA license, EA Sports have been able to release game titles featuring the FIFA branding, as well as all the stars and leagues associated with it.
However, the reason for the end of the decades-long partnership was confirmed by EA and FIFA. There are rumors that FIFA had asked EA to pay $1 billion for the publisher to continue using its name for its future game installments every four years, which became the major driver of EA's decision to cancel the deal.
With EA launching its very own soccer video game, FIFA appears to be moving forward as well. FIFA is reportedly committed to releasing game titles under its license, although it is not known whether FIFA is currently in talks with other game developers and publishers. As for FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the next FIFA video game should be the "best one" for the fans.
"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. The FIFA name is the only global, original title." Infantino said.
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