In a surprising move, Electronic Arts (EA) has withdrawn its popular FIFA games from digital stores like Steam and console marketplaces. The timing is interesting, coming just as EA prepares to roll out EA Sports FC 24, the successor to its soccer simulation series, FIFA.
EA is preparing to roll out EA Sports FC 2024, which explains this decision
Although EA has remained tight-lipped on why these games were removed, the spotlight is on a probable licensing issue. The removal follows the end of a long-standing licensing partnership between EA and FIFA last year. The franchise has since been rebranded as EA Sports FC, with the first game under this new name set to release on September 29.
If you already own a digital copy of a FIFA game, don’t worry. You can still re-download it. You also have the option to play some of the older titles through EA Play, EA’s subscription service. But newcomers are out of luck; the games have been delisted and won’t appear in search on digital storefronts.
While FIFA’s name will still be linked with other games, it will likely no longer be associated with EA’s releases. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has assured that the “only authentic, real game that has the FIFA name will be the best one available for gamers and football fans.”
So, what does this mean for the average consumer? This could signal a new era where games evolve beyond their traditional brand names. However, it raises concerns about whether the newly branded EA Sports FC can fill the large shoes that FIFA has left behind. Time will tell, but for now, it’s clear that the game of soccer—both virtual and real—is undergoing some serious changes.
RELATED:
- Acer announces Nitro V 15 gaming laptop with 144Hz display up to 13th Gen i7 CPU & RTX 4050
- Nissan Reveals a New Concept Electric Car that Brings Together Gaming and Practical Driving
- Best Wireless TWS with Unique Design in 2023: Nothing, Sony & More
(Via)
