FIFA Mobile hangs by a thread: EA evaluates a radical change in the franchise

fifa mobile esta en problemas podria cambiar de nombre

FIFA is one of the most successful and lucrative video game franchises of all time. However, FIFA is also an institution that Electronic Arts (the developer of this football game) must pay each year to use its name, which implies certain limitations . And that has become such a big problem for EA that they are seriously thinking about stopping making games under the FIFA name.

In recent leaked comments, EA CEO Andrew Wilson explained why the company is considering ending its licensing deal with FIFA . As early as October, the company said it was reviewing its deal with FIFA and considering changing the name of its popular soccer franchise. This time, the EA CEO has been clearer about it. Let’s see what he said…

For this reason the FIFA games could change their name soon

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Just as PES changed its name to eFootball Mobile, Electronic Arts could do the same with FIFA. Yes, for different reasons. While Konami’s soccer game was renamed due to lack of success, FIFA could be renamed so as not to pay for the license of the name and to bypass the restrictions it imposes . This was implied by the CEO of EA who admitted that this license has become an impediment that limits the growth of the franchise.

Wilson suggested that its brand agreement with FIFA is unnecessarily restrictive, and that it does not add enough value to the company . “There are four letters on a cover” said the director. While the deal with FIFA gives them access to the World Cup license every four years, the company already has more than 300 license agreements that allow them to continue to use the names and likenesses of players, teams and leagues without need to pay FIFA.

Apparently, FIFA doesn’t let EA do what they want with their soccer simulator. The company is struggling to create game modes beyond 11v11 matches , to partner with other brands not affiliated with FIFA, or to expand deeper and wider into digital ecosystems around the world of soccer, according to Wilson.

Last year, the New York Times reported that EA is fighting with FIFA to be able to expand into other areas, like showing highlights from real-world matches, and offering digital items like NFTs . Ultimately, FIFA is not letting its soccer game branch out with other game modes and monetizations that EA believes players want.

FIFA demands double what it currently receives from EA

FIFA Mobile juego ideal para los amantes del fútbol

As we mentioned at the beginning, money is another reason why Electronic Arts wants to break away from FIFA. According to various media, the International Federation of Football Association intends to raise the value of the agreement with EA to 1 billion dollars a year (currently it is 500 billion). However, the cost of the name is not the main problem, according to the CEO of EA.

“It’s not about that, it’s really about delivering games and experiences that our fans want, at the right time,” Wilson said. Keep in mind that the current agreement ends after this year’s World Cup to be held between November 21 and December 18. If Electronic Arts decides not to renew it, its football game franchise would be renamed EA Sports FC , as the company is said to have registered the phrase “EA Sports FC” in the UK and EU in October. So FIFA Mobile would become EA Sports FC Mobile.

Source | VGC