It’s been a long time since we’ve heard or read anything about a possible FIFA 25 from soccer’s world governing body. Now FIFA has made people sit up and take notice with an online survey – the topics could allow conclusions to be drawn about the game
“FIFA wants to compete on an equal footing with EA SPORTS” in the gaming sector, said President Gianni Infantino in March 2023. At the time, he named “FIFA 25, 26, 27 and so on” as “new FIFA games”. If the world soccer association remains true to the previous release schedule of the recently interrupted series, the FIFA 25 release would be on the agenda for next fall. But what about the potential competition for FC 25?
For a long time, FIFA’s video game plans were quiet following the separation from EA SPORTS. A few days ago, however, the FIFAe account on X published a survey about gaming. Fans are asked what they think about various topics. “Our goal is to create the ultimate gaming experience,” announces the post. “Your feedback will help us to create a gaming experience that offers excitement, challenges and much more. “
What would players spend real money on?
But what exactly does FIFA want to know from its fans? Some of the questions focus on the online needs of gamers. The world governing body wants to know how important a community with lively exchange and collaboration is to them. However, in-game items are also quickly brought up. FIFA asks whether digital ownership is very important to the respondents. In other words, whether they would actually want to own the virtual items in any FIFA titles.
FIFA also seems to be looking into the possibility of transferring digital items to future games, selling them on external marketplaces or exchanging them for “real-life rewards” – such as tickets to visit a stadium. What is of course also being discussed in this context: Would players spend real money via microtransactions? If so, for what? For items that give them in-game advantages? For cosmetics? For progress?
FIFA also asks its fans about the synergy between gaming and sport and the relevance of authentic visuals and animations. It is also interesting to note that some questions focus on the reasons for playing video games. Escapism – the escape from reality – is available as an option. In the same breath, it is about preferences regarding a possible role-playing experience.
Digital ownership as a differentiation from FUT?
So what to do with all these questions? FIFA is definitely exploring the concept of digital ownership for FIFA 25 and its successors. Unlike in EA SPORTS FC’s Ultimate Team, the ownership of virtual items in FIFA 25 could well extend beyond the boundaries of the video game. Unsurprisingly, the world governing body is also planning an online environment that will be home to a real community.
Immersion also seems to be an essential starting point. The question is whether you really want to feel like a manager or player of a club. The directions in which the questions are directed are sure to cause excitement among some fans of simulations. However, the fact that FIFA is only now publishing such a survey on some fundamental aspects could also cause concern. After all, FIFA 23, 22 & Co. were always released at the end of September or beginning of October. FIFA 25 would therefore be due in less than eight months.
