Creating a New Competitor to EA Sports FC: Exciting News for Gamers from FIFA

TTwo years ago, Electronic Arts’ long and lucrative relationship with FIFA fell apart, leading EA to create a new brand called EA Sports FC for the soccer simulation series. FIFA president Gianni Infantino grumpily declared the search for a new developer, stating, “the only real game that bears the FIFA name will be the best for gamers and soccer fans.” Given EA’s extensive experience in producing mainstream soccer simulations over two decades, the challenge for FIFA to find a competitive studio seemed daunting.

News now surfaces that the world soccer federation has teamed up with 2K Games for a new FIFA game, potentially launching later this year. A tweet from Ghanaian retailer MohPlay claims they have signed a deal with 2K Games, confirming earlier rumors about FIFA’s partnership with 2K.

This collaboration makes sense as 2K has significant experience in sports games like NBA 2K, NFL 2K, WWE 2K, TopSpin 2K, and PGA Tour 2K. Moreover, the PGA license was acquired by 2K after EA’s relationship with them ended a few years ago, showcasing their track record in this space.

However, a new FIFA game this year seems unlikely. Even if 2K were to start immediately in May 2022 when EA’s FIFA relationship ends, they would have only two years to build the team, develop the game, digitize players, motion capture, and model stadiums.

Player reactions vary, with many welcoming competition from EA’s franchise, especially considering Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer brand’s decline. On the other hand, 2K Games has faced criticism for heavy monetization in its games, particularly in the NBA series where players can buy advantages with real money.

It’s exciting to see a new independent contender emerge in the market, reminiscent of classic soccer games like Sensible Soccer and Kick Off 2, or even early 3D titles. Games like Sociable Soccer are interesting, but the hope for something entirely new, fun, fast, and quirky remains, much like the unique concepts introduced in golf simulation games by What the Golf and Desert Golfing. The future of soccer gaming holds promise for innovation and creativity.

Could the revival of classic soccer game ideas like the ZX Spectrum classic Subbuteo or licensed games by retired pros become a reality? Fans of nostalgic and unconventional soccer games eagerly await what the future holds beyond the realm of multi-million dollar tournament licenses and microtransactions.

What to Play

If you’re longing for the days of humorous resource management games, Galacticare by Brightrock Games will bring you nostalgic joy this summer. Acting as a space-themed hospital, the game challenges you to build a hospital to care for extraterrestrial patients with unique ailments. The game’s forgiving learning curve and cartoonish style prioritize enjoyment over strict business practices.

Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox
Estimated play time: 30+ hours

What to Read

• Helldivers 2 has been a major success this year, with GamesIndustry.Biz featuring an interesting interview with Arrowhead Games, the creator of the game. The interview sheds light on the challenges faced by the company, particularly in handling the repercussions of immense success on its staff’s wellbeing. CEO Johan Pyllestedt expresses concerns about the threats and disrespect received by the studio, highlighting the darker side of the gaming community.

• Another interview delves into the vision of Neil Druckmann, the head of Naughty Dog Studios, who aims to redefine mainstream gaming with his next project. The interview corrects misconceptions about his previous statements, emphasizing the intent and context behind his words.

• Activision has confirmed the title for this year’s Call of Duty game, Black Ops 6. Details will be unveiled at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 9th, followed by an in-depth stream.

• An upcoming book titled Playing with Reality: How Games Shape Our World by neuroscientist Kelly Clancy offers a comprehensive exploration of the role games have played throughout history. From medieval games to modern-day simulations, the book promises an intriguing perspective on the impact games have on society.

What to Click On

Question Block

A reader named Ants poses an interesting question:

“We often hear that the video game industry is bigger than the movie and music industries, driven by higher unit costs of video games compared to movies or music albums. As a video game journalist, have you come across reports that validate this claim?”

While the argument has some merit, it overlooks important factors. Each video game sale can translate into multiple players, amplifying the financial impact per copy sold. Additionally, the rise of free smartphone games like Candy Crush and Genshin Impact, catering to billions of gamers worldwide, challenges the notion of high unit costs for games. The media’s focus on gaming revenue versus film or music earnings oversimplifies the rich diversity and cultural value of games into a financial lens, lacking depth and nuance.

It’s hoped that the industry coverage will evolve beyond revenue figures towards a more holistic understanding of the gaming landscape, emphasizing creativity, innovation, and cultural significance over financial metrics.

If you have a question for Question Block or feedback on the newsletter, feel free to reach out by clicking “Reply” or emailing us at pushingbuttons@theguardian.com.