EA Sports has expressed “a huge amount of confidence” in its upcoming football game, EA Sports FC, their first without the FIFA license. This marked shift in the gaming landscape represents an unprecedented step forward for the company.
In an interview with The Mirror, David Jackson, VP of Brand at EA Sports, expressed optimism about the company’s decision to part ways with FIFA. He posits this bold move as a gateway to further innovation, which the company has yearned to achieve for years.
“There’s a huge amount of energy in all of our studios, all over the world, to get after the ambition that we know we’ve set ourselves with this new brand,” Jackson said. “EA Sports FC is our future vision. I think we’ve done a very good job and had a great relationship over time with the FIFA organization, but now’s the right time for us to set a new path and chart our own path forward, be able to meet players expectations where they are, and we feel we can do that best through the lens of our own platform.”
Emphasizing that this is not merely a rebranding exercise, Jackson asserts that the break from FIFA will lead to “new and engaging experiences” for players. He explains this decision has led to a change in mindset, pushing the company to think expansively about opportunities and develop a broader range of experiences for fans.
Jackson also discussed the two fundamental principles EA Sports is adhering to in their upcoming releases – authenticity, and innovation. “One is authenticity. So we have 19,000 players, we have 700 teams and 30 leagues in the game right now. That authenticity is paramount to an EA Sports experience and will continue to be in the future,” he said.
The new game, tentatively titled EA Sports FC 24, is expected to be released between August 1 and October 31, 2023. As the gaming community eagerly awaits this launch, it presents a significant opportunity to see whether EA Sports can meet and possibly exceed player expectations in its post-FIFA journey.
