EA SPORTS is getting new competition in the football simulation market with UFL, GOALS and Football Player. But how do the always critical FIFA professionals view the upcoming games? Do thoughts of change arise?
All signs point to change in eFootball: EA SPORTS was not only struggling to keep its own eSports scene running in 2021 and feared a loss of naming rights , but constant competitor Konami stumbled upon the revolution of the PES series .
In addition, there are new players who are entering the football simulation market. With UFL , GOALS and Football Player , three upcoming games were presented in the second half of the year.
All three competitors are still in the development phase, but UFL has already shown that they are not afraid of the license fight and that EA SPORTS could at least give EA SPORTS a few headaches with it.
Still too early
The German FIFA professionals are still reluctant to watch the new games. “I’ve heard that new games are coming, but I’m not thinking about it yet,” explains Mohammed ‘MoAuba’ Harkous, setting a tone similar to Eldin ‘Eldos’ Todorovac from Borussia Dortmund and ex-teammate Michael’ MegaBit ‘Bittner from SV Werder Bremen: “At the moment I am not wasting a thought on changing the game.”
“I will watch the games and invest a little time, but I will not try too hard to become an eSportsman,” says German eFootball champion Umut Gültekin. The situation is similar with national team colleague Mustafa ‘xMusti19’ Cankal, who at least does not categorically rule out a change.
The new competitors are probably not an option for Dylan ‘DullenMIKE’ Neuhausen. His comment after a few first glimpses: “Completely bugged games, false advertising, I don’t see anything really good.”
With the wrong advertising, Neuhausen is alluding to Football Player 2023. The game is just a scam, according to an alleged project employee .
“It’s not as easy as you might imagine to make a better game (than FIFA).”
MOHAMMED ‘MOAUBA’ HARKOUS
In general, however, the emergence of games is perceived as positive, or as ‘MegaBit’ puts it: “Competition cannot hurt.” ‘MoAuba’ would contradict this in part – it fears a wider distribution of the licenses – but it also sees the potential.
Harkous would be willing to change “if there is a better game. Then of course.” With all the criticism of EA SPORTS, he also points out: “It’s not as easy as you might imagine to develop a better game.”
New hurdle
For Tim ‘TheStrxngeR’ Katnawatos the titles are interesting “when the games are competitive”. The professional from 1. FC Köln has another thought, why a change is not too likely for current FIFA professionals.
You have to look at how the Bundesliga clubs and DFL react to the competitive titles. The league, including the clubs, is still in a partnership with EA SPORTS. A dissolution of the same cooperation seems unlikely, the relationship is too deeply rooted for that.
Individual professionals could still dare to change and try to establish themselves as pioneers. Even if the competition can score points in terms of gameplay and game content, there is still a high risk for the eSportsman.