Just in case you missed it, Electronic Arts’ FIFA 23, set for later this year, is the last game it will make with its long-time partner, FIFA. Not only after confirming this, FIFA announced that it will produce several other FIFA-branded video games from different publishers and developers. FIFA claims that the first of these “new non-simulation games” are already in production with a planned fall release. FIFA revealed that the first of the titles will focus on the 2022 World Cup, which will run from November to December in Qatar. FIFA also added that a game featuring the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand is on the table as well. Of course, not to be beaten by Electronic Arts, FIFA also claimed that it wants to have a FIFA-branded soccer sim out by 2024.
Simply put, soccer fans can look forward to at least three soccer games hitting the market in the next two years. The first, of course, is Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer, which fell flat on its face after relaunching as eFootball last year. The second is EA Sports FC, the new name of EA’s soccer games after FIFA 23 comes out later this year. Finally, there’s FIFA’s own game, which, at the very least, should be worth keeping eye on. Hopefully, FIFA will find a willing and capable partner. As much as fans love to criticize EA’s FIFA series, it’s still one of the best sports sims around. FIFA’s game will have to live up to the standards set by its former partner, which is a tall ask with only two years to go. If it’s any consolation, FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, seems confident in FIFA’s upcoming video game venture. Infantino’s statement in Tuesday’s announcement reads: “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. 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.” In other news, EA just laid out its plans for the rest of the year. In a recent presentation ahead of the company’s latest earnings call, EA listed four “publicly undisclosed” games. All four are apparently scheduled for a Q4 release, which is anytime between January and March 2023.
