FIFA will no longer be FIFA?
EA is likely to change the name of its most popular eSports game…
When someone mentions the abbreviation FIFA, you immediately know that it is about football. Almost thirty years ago, SEGA took advantage of this fact and launched FIFA International Soccer. Since then, the game has gone through a whole bunch of transformations, sequels, name changes, owners... Since 2005, at least as far as the name is concerned, there has been peace. Every year we get a version that bears the FIFA name and a number one higher than the current year. FIFA 05 was released in 2005, FIFA 07 in 2006,… and FIFA 22 this year. But soon it could be different. At least as far as the name goes…
In order for Electronic Arts to be able to use the name of the International Football Association in the name of its game, the latter has to pay quite a sum. What it is is unknown, but apparently not small, as EA has announced that it will change its name in a year or two. Which will not be an easy task. Why not? But what's so difficult about calling the game "Pro EA Soccer" or "eVirtualFootball" or something like that instead of FIFA 23?
Things are not simple. Dropping the FIFA name will also have ramifications for a whole host of other licenses and rights that EA got with the name. The latest version of FIFA 22 includes over 17,000 faces and names of athletes, more than 700 teams, 100 stadiums and more than 30 leagues, which will need to be redefined with the name change. This will not be a small amount... But it is obviously financially sustainable...
Source: EA
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