The divorce between Electronic Arts and the International Federation of Football Association seems to take shape every day a little more. The hegemonic instance of the round ball wants other partners.
FIFA published this Friday, October 15 a statement evoking its positioning in the field of video games and eSports. The latter, making no mention of the launch of FIFA 22, claims that the Zurich-based federation is looking to the future with “optimism and enthusiasm”. And above all, that it will be a question of ensuring “to take decisions that benefit all stakeholders in football.” In other words, the body headed by Gianni Infantino definitely no longer wants Electronic Arts to have all the rights alone. She wants to regain control. Divide for better reign (and pocket)?
EA Sports, it’s in the name
The text is indeed very clear: more partners are needed.
Technology and mobile companies are now competing fiercely to partner with FIFA, its platforms and global tournaments.
As a result, FIFA has engaged with various market players, including developers, investors and analysts, to develop a long-term vision for the video games, eSports and interactive entertainment industry.
The body therefore intends to ensure that it is working with suitable partners who have the necessary specialized skills in order to be able to offer supporters and consumers the best experience and the best possible offers.
Begun in 1993 with FIFA International Soccer, the relationship between FIFA and Electronic Arts has been a hot topic since the beginning of October. The publisher explained that a name change was planned for his famous football series. A recent trademark filing suggests the sequel could be called EA Sports FC. However, this would not have an impact on the partnerships already established. FIFPro remains an important partner in enabling the names and faces of thousands of professional football players to be used.
Back to back insurance
Still, the name of the game represents an established brand, an insurance. It is he who has, in part, allowed to establish a domination in video game football for several years. And FIFA has understood its importance. As well as the success of FUT, presumably. According to the New York Times, she is now claiming $ 1 billion for a 4-year license term.
The relationship that the video game and eSports market has developed over time with the word “FIFA” clearly shows that soccer games and FIFA are intrinsically linked.
In addition, FIFA believes that the overlap between its virtual and real competitions should be further exploited. In this regard, FIFA is delighted to be able to use the FIFA World Cup ™ (and its cumulative audience of 4 billion viewers) and the FIFA Women’s World Cup ™ (and its cumulative audience of 1.2 billion viewers). viewers) as launch and integration platforms for exciting new games and groundbreaking eSports offerings.
And long live the competition
It will remain to be seen who the new partners will be, in terms of competitions and games. The ground has so far only been occupied by two serious staff: EA and Konami. The Japanese company recently awkwardly launched eFootball, which engages in the free-to-play model.
And really far from convincing for the moment. Other new players have emerged in recent months: the GOALS of Andreas Thorstensson and UFL of Strikerz Inc .. In other words, we will not run out of leather. Could we see larger companies looking into the matter? The next few months could have many surprises in store for us.