Since last year it's been a rumour circulating, and now EA has confirmed the news themselves. As a result, the relationship between EA and FIFA is officially coming to an end.
It's been one of the most potent videogame franchises worldwide and will keep all the features and gameplay but will make the title switch to EA Sports FC starting in 2023.
The game itself will remain essentially unchanged. Even though EA Sports FC will no longer include the World Cup and other FIFA-controlled events, most of the world's top clubs and stars will still be playable, thanks to individual licence deals with their teams and leagues. The game's continuation still does not change the rebranding's seismic character.
"This new independent platform will bring fresh opportunity--to innovate, create, and evolve," EA's Cam Weber said. "This is much more than just a change of symbol--as EA Sports, we're committed to ensuring EA Sports FC is a symbol of change. We're dedicated to meaningfully reinvesting in the sport, and we're excited to work with a large and increasing number of partners to expand to new authentic experiences that bring joy, inclusivity, and immersion to a global community of fans. I look forward to sharing more detail on these plans in the coming months."
According to a report in the New York Times, FIFA had asked EA to pay $1 billion to use the FIFA name in their games, a cost that would have to be paid every four years to keep their connection going. EA didn't need the FIFA name because it already has hundreds of unique licences that allow it access to 17,000+ player names and likenesses and a variety of leagues across the sport.
