The football simulation series FIFA has been developed by EA Sports since the nineties. That connection might soon become history as the current licensing contract is set to run out at the end of the year.
Are new franchises inbound?
Negotiations for a renewal of the license seem to have hit a dead end and according to rumours EA is already considering names for a new franchise. Now there are reports that the football association FIFA is also looking for a new developer to continue the series or even considering creating their own game.
In a press release in October 2021, FIA has said that they believe that there should be more than one party controlling and exploiting all gamign and esports rights in football. More than a snide remark to the way EA is currently handling the football simulation license.
Their statement seems tailor-made to justify a switch in their licensing policy. A new exclusive license for EA Sports is increasingly unlikely. Instead they are “engaging with various industry players, including developers, investors and analysts, to build out a long-term view of the gaming, esports and interactive entertainment sector.”
There are no official news yet, but FIFA has announced that the upcoming World Cup in Qatar will be used as a platform to launch new games and new esports opportunities. The same has been said of the Women’s World Cup in 2023.
Read more:
- EA to ban players from Russia and Belarus in both FIFA and Apex esports
- Is EA dropping the ‘FIFA’ branding? – CEO says FIFA license has impeded their growth
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