Why are FIFA and EA Sports splitting up?

After 30 years of collaboration, the two brands have announced their separation

EA Sports and FIFA have announced their separation after 30 years of collaboration. EA's upcoming soccer game will be known as EA Sports FC, as opposed to FIFA, which has been used since the Sega Genesis and Super NES eras. The move represents a significant departure for one of the oldest and most renowned video game franchises in history.

Also Read: EA Sports FC: Everything we know so far

EA had previously announced that it was reviewing its naming rights agreement with FIFA due to conflicts over exclusivity and licensing costs, so the split was not wholly unexpected. In addition, the FIFA license reportedly hindered EA's ability to innovate and expand into new gameplay areas. FIFA, on the other hand, reportedly desired to double the $150 million it already received annually for the use of its trademark.

EA's upcoming soccer game without FIFA, EA Sports FC will still feature over 300 licensed partners, giving players access to over 19,000 athletes across 700 teams, 100 stadiums, and 30 divisions worldwide. Major international leagues such as the Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, UEFA, and CONMEBOL are among these partners.

Also Read: Which leagues will be in EA Sports FC?

However, the newly rebranded game will not contain any official references to FIFA's World Cup. From 1998 to 2014, EA collaborated with FIFA to release discrete FIFA World Cup titles every four years, and in FIFA 14 it added a World Cup mode to its Ultimate Team digital card game. In FIFA 18, the integration was expanded to encompass a wider World Cup update.

FIFA has also announced that it will collaborate with other developers to create "the only authentic, genuine FIFA game." According to the organization, it is collaborating with leading game publishers, media companies, and investors to develop a significant new FIFA simulation football game for 2024. FIFA will continue the annual distribution of numbered FIFA titles with its new partners.

Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, emphasized that the FIFA name will continue to be the only global, original, and best title eternally. The separation follows a long-standing partnership dating back to FIFA International Soccer in 1993, followed by yearly releases and occasional spin-offs such as FIFA Street.