Tag: EA Sports FC

EA is no longer independent: Saudi Arabia acquires one of the largest video game companies in the world

The sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, along with the investment funds Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, has formalized the acquisition of Electronic Arts for a total of 55 billion dollars, becoming the second most expensive purchase in the video game industry, only surpassed by Activision-Blizzard-King. The offer includes 100% of EA’s shares, with a valuation of 210 dollars per share, representing a 25% increase compared to the closing of the shares on September 25. The largest leveraged buyout in history Of this amount, 36 billion of […]

The sovereign fund of Saudi Arabia, along with the investment funds Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, has formalized the acquisition of Electronic Arts for a total of 55 billion dollars, becoming the second most expensive purchase in the video game industry, only surpassed by Activision-Blizzard-King. The offer includes 100% of EA’s shares, with a valuation of 210 dollars per share, representing a 25% increase compared to the closing of the shares on September 25.

The largest leveraged buyout in history

Of this amount, 36 billion dollars will be in cash, while the remaining 20 billion will be financed through debt managed by JP Morgan. This financing structure has generated speculation about the financial strategy of the new owners, who are looking to optimize EA’s profits in a context of significant debt.

Buyers have indicated their intention to use artificial intelligence to increase EA’s profits in the coming years, which could lead to cuts and restructuring to maximize profitability. This approach suggests a similar direction to that adopted by companies in the sector, which often prioritize more profitable franchises at the expense of new risky projects.

This purchase could influence the increase of micropayments in EA titles, as happened previously after the acquisition of Scopely, which has altered the experience of many players. It is likely that iconic franchises such as EA Sports FC will experience changes in their operating model, seeking to maximize revenue beyond traditional collaborations with sports entities.

Divisions like Bioware, which have struggled to remain competitive, may face greater uncertainty in this new framework, while titles like Battlefield seem to have more stability in the vision of the new owners. However, the future of other projects remains up in the air, leaving fans in anticipation.

Steam DOWNLOAD

It is going to be the new sensation of football games, and you can already try its beta version

In the current landscape, sports video games are facing a challenging period. Most of them are plagued by microtransaction modes and struggle to justify the purchase of the latest edition. However, a fresh and exciting option has recently emerged: Rematch, a 5v5 multiplayer soccer game developed by Sloclap, known for the successful Sifu. This title presents itself as an antidote to the saturation of the industry, standing out for its focus on arcade fun and team dynamics. Competing against the big titans of soccer video games, Rematch stands out for offering a […]

In the current landscape, sports video games are facing a challenging period. Most of them are plagued by microtransaction modes and struggle to justify the purchase of the latest edition. However, a fresh and exciting option has recently emerged: Rematch, a 5v5 multiplayer soccer game developed by Sloclap, known for the successful Sifu. This title presents itself as an antidote to the saturation of the industry, standing out for its focus on arcade fun and team dynamics.

Competing Against the Great Titans of Football Video Games

Rematch stands out for offering simple and accessible gameplay, where each player controls a character on a team, promoting a more collaborative experience and less burdened by tactical complexities. Unlike other titles like EA Sports FC, players do not need to worry about managing formations, making it easier for anyone to enjoy the game without having a deep knowledge of football.

The reception of Rematch has been remarkable; during its beta on Steam, it reached peaks of 146,573 concurrent players and 1.8 million users on consoles during an additional test. Available for free to Xbox Game Pass subscribers, its accessibility could boost its popularity in the market. Although it will not feature cross-play support at launch, the ease of access through Xbox Game Pass could offset this initial limitation.

The game, which will also be released on PlayStation and PC, promises to be a rewarding experience, focused on fun and teamwork. Players are looking for a return to the roots of the sport, with mechanics that favor fast play and cooperation. With its imminent release, Rematch has the potential to become one of the big surprise hits of 2025.

EA Sports FC 25 will be released in just two months

The possible release date for EA Sports FC 25 has been leaked, but since the source is Billbil-kun, we can almost consider it confirmed.

In this life there are only two things that are certain. That the sun will rise in the East and that if Billbil-kun leaks something, the chances of it being true are practically 100%. Let’s not fool ourselves. If there is a leaker who has earned everyone’s trust, it’s Billbil-kun. He has only been wrong once, having made more leaks than anyone else who has been in the game for so long. And the latest one is one that will excite many players.

According to Dealabs, EA Sports FC 25 will be released in September. Although they haven’t specified the exact date, they have revealed that the official announcement will most likely be made within the next 10 days. They have also confirmed that there will be two editions, the Standard and the Ultimate Edition, where Ultimate Edition players will be able to play one week before the rest of the players.

In addition, if you have EA Play, they will not change their policy from recent years. You will have a free 10-hour trial and also receive a discount on in-game currency and you will be able to transfer the one you already have in EA FC 24 to EA FC 25. As has been customary in recent years.

That’s why, although it is not yet confirmed, in the next few days we should have the official confirmation. Although, when it comes to Billbil-kun, it’s almost as if EA itself had said it.

EA Sports FC DOWNLOAD
4.4
EA SPORTS FC is the highly anticipated FIFA 24, but with the new name they have adopted after breaking the agreements between FIFA and Electronic Arts to reissue another football game.

The new FIFA does not stop: EA Sports FC announces a spin off and it’s tactical on top of that

EA continues to seek to exploit its new brand, this time with a new spin-off of its oldest franchise called EA Sports FC Tactical, a turn-based game

Having given up on the FIFA brand does not mean that EA has low ambitions for its popular soccer simulator. Quite the contrary. Although it is true that this year’s installment has not been groundbreaking, being perhaps a little too continuist, they have demonstrated with their spending on advertising for it that they seek to continue giving it the same VIP treatment as before. Soccer is not going to leave EA Sports.

EA Sports FC DOWNLOAD

Not when EA Sports has just announced EA Sports FC Tactical. A game for iOS and Android systems that will appear in early 2024 that, instead of allowing us to play the matches in real time, will offer us a very different experience with a turn-based strategy game.

As EA wanted to emphasize, this is an experience much more based on management and strategy on the field than pure skill at the controls. With simulated matches, actions as typical of soccer as attacking, defending, stealing the ball or shooting at goal become turn-based skills, forcing us to think about the match in each of its stages in a much more strategic way. A change to a more leisurely style of play and more conducive to the game on phones and tablets.

In any case, that doesn’t mean it will be lacking in content. The game will have 5000 real players spread across ten leagues, including the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie 1. In addition, there will be game modes, including friendly online matches and a ranked mode, for those who want to prove they are the best in the world.

If you’re interested in this particular twist on the EA Sports FC formula, you can pre-register now on both the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store. And if you haven’t heard, EA Sports FC 24 was released last September for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch and PC if you want a more classic experience. Even if it’s no longer called FIFA.

EA Sports FC DOWNLOAD

EA Sports FC sells fewer copies than FIFA 23, but there’s a catch!

EA Sports FC sells less than its immediate predecessor, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a bad thing: its sales are still fantastic

EA has severed ties with FIFA, which has had its consequences. Firstly, they had to change the name of their most iconic and best-selling game. This made many people think that their sales would be significantly affected since their audience is considered more casual, and many people might be unaware of this change and not buy the game this year. Something that many people will likely confirm when looking at the sales data in the UK.

EA Sports FC DOWNLOAD

According to data from Chris Ding of Games Industry, EA Sports FC had initial sales 30% lower in physical copies compared to FIFA 23. These numbers might seem concerning when viewed in isolation. However, there’s a catch. EA Sports FC is also the second biggest launch of 2023 in terms of physical copies sold in the UK, only behind The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, surpassing the highly successful Hogwarts Legacy.

This paints a very positive picture of EA Sports FC’s performance. While it might seem like what happens in the UK doesn’t necessarily reflect the rest of the world, the reality is that it serves as a good predictor for commercial trends across Europe. Historically, the UK market has been a good representation of what happens in the rest of the continent.

Furthermore, this isn’t even something new. Physical sales of FIFA have been declining for several years in favor of digital sales, in a consistent and gradual trend that is increasing over time. Moreover, EA was already expecting a decline in sales during the initial years, which ultimately probably falls within their expectations. Because if being the second biggest launch of the year isn’t enough for a game to succeed, even if it’s the game formerly known as FIFA, not having the license from the professional football governing body will be the least of their worries.

EA Sports FC DOWNLOAD

How the biggest breakup in video games came about: from FIFA 24 to EA Sports FC 24

EA has cut ties with Fifa and that is why its legendary game is not called FIFA 24 this year, but in a more complicated way: EA Sports FC 24

It is impossible that there is anyone who has not heard about the most mediatic breakup of the videogame. EA has dropped its FIFA license and so its game is no longer called FIFA, but EA Sports FC. What is probably not so well known is all that this entails for EA and what is on the table and what they are leaving behind by making this decision. Because never in the history of video gaming, nor of modern capitalism, has there been a branding disruption like this before. And as such, it is worth studying its reasons and its implications.

The first FIFA, FIFA International Soccer, was released in 1993 for the SEGA Mega Drive. Since then it became one of the two big soccer titles, to the point that, by the beginning of the following decade, the numbers they commanded were dizzying. According to a study by Ampere Anylisis, by 2010 the FIFA franchise had a net worth of $513 million. By 2020, it was already worth $2 billion.

EA Sports FC DOWNLOAD

That is to say, a priori, it does not seem to make much sense to dissociate from a brand that generates so much value lightly. So what has happened to make them decide to change the name? EA has decided to dispense with the organization’s license.

Normally, FIFA offers companies its license to make products under its brand for four-year periods, coinciding with the frequency of the World Cup. At the time of the license renewal, according to New York Times sources, FIFA wanted EA to double the $150 million it already paid them annually for the license. Something the multinational company refused to do.

What are the consequences of this? Essentially, they cannot use the FIFA brand. Neither the name nor the logo nor the World Cup competition. But nothing else. So the blow is hard, but not insurmountable: the 19,000 players, 700 teams and 30 leagues they have registered can continue to be represented in the game, because the image licenses are not managed by FIFA itself. Therefore, EA hopes that with this change, and with a great emphasis on advertising, they will be able to make a change to their own brand in a way that does not significantly impact their income. All this while getting rid of a partner that was no longer proving profitable.

Whether it will work or not remains to be seen. EA has made a laudable effort because EA Sports FC 24 is present in all the places where someone can doubt whether that game is FIFA or not. But habit is strong. And getting it out of people’s heads that they are playing El Fifa might be harder than EA thinks.

EA Sports FC DOWNLOAD