FIFA 23 will be the last title based on the old recipe for success, the football games will be renamed EA SPORTS FC from 2023 – the developer confirmed this on Tuesday.
Bang on early Tuesday evening: What has been bubbling in the rumour mill for many months is now officially confirmed. FIFA 23 will be the last title of the simulation series with the traditional name, from 2023 the football series will be renamed EA SPORTS FC. Details on the new spin-off will follow in July 2023.
This should also end the partnership between EA SPORTS and FIFA, although there is no definite mention of this in the corresponding announcement. According to its own statement, the developer is ushering in “the future of football from EA SPORTS”. The subtext of the announcement, however, seems unmistakable.
EA SPORTS FC as a “symbol of change “
“It’s much more than just changing a symbol – as EA SPORTS we are committed to EA SPORTS FC becoming a symbol of change,” writes the publisher. The review for licensing separation from FIFA, which had apparently demanded significantly higher payments for the upcoming rights cycle, has been ongoing for some time.
EA SPORTS wants to “take the global football experience to a new level on behalf of all football fans around the world”. At the same time, however, there is an all-clear for all traditionalists: FUT, the career mode, VOLTA and Pro Clubs are to be retained, and the range of licences will probably not be reduced either.
FIFA 23 to be “the best ever “
Big leagues and associations such as the Bundesliga, UEFA or CONMEBOL are among the partner citations at the end of the announcement – but not FIFA. This does not mean that FIFA is not mentioned: It is technically correctly referred to as “current naming rights partner”.
EA SPORTS is promising to deliver the “most comprehensive game ever” – FIFA 23 – together with FIFA before the paradigm shift to EA SPORTS FC. The upcoming FIFA is also supposed to be “the best ever”, promising “more features, game modes, clubs, leagues” and much more.
