With a bang, the FIFA publishers confirmed in May the end of the cooperation with the world football federation in 2024. After more than 30 years of “FIFA” on the shelf and on consoles of all kinds, it is then to say goodbye and get involved with “EA SPORTS FC” on something new

But that so far remains the big question for this year’s fall. What can be expected from the last classic FIFA of its kind? FIFA pros give their assessment to kicker eSport

Does EA SPORTS really run up to the best performance with FIFA 23?

If it goes after the ex-Bremer Michael ‘MegaBit’ Bittner, a first prognosis for FIFA 23 turns out as follows: “It will be exciting to see whether FIFA 23 becomes a ‘transition FIFA’. EA could make ‘everything as always’ in the next part, to make then with EA SPORTS FC much new.”

Deniel ‘Denii10’ Mutic (1. FC Heidenheim) is also of the opinion that EA has positioned an optimized soccer game on the market through the long-term development time, but there is always potential upwards. Especially in terms of gameplay.

“When players can hold the ball on the court for what feels like an infinite amount of time, it’s bad for the flow of the game.” ‘MegaBit’ also has a similar concern: “If I could wish for something: That the pace of play is increased again. For me, that means increasing the general pace of play and having more variations in one-on-one situations.”

The best FIFA ever?

The next FIFA is to be “the best ever”, announced are “more features, game modes, clubs and leagues”. But the German pros also look critically at the future of their eSports.

Thus, Bremen’s Jamie ‘SVW_CJaser’ Bartel announced when asked about the upcoming time with two potentially strong soccer games: “I can already say for sure that I will test both and want to play.”

Ali ‘PredatorFIFA’ Oskoui Rad holds, “If in 2024 it’s like, ‘We don’t play FIFA now,’ that’s a challenge. But clearly, then you have to relearn it. A comparison: Very good shooter eSport players can also switch from CS:GO to Valorant – they might not master it perfectly right away, but they are definitely adaptable. I think that’s just as true for soccer eSports.”

EA’s future remains exciting – not only for eSports

The bottom line for the Canadian developer in the future is the sales arguments for their soccer simulation. In this respect, it is important to bring eSportsmen and casual players under one hat. MegaBit knows this too: “Ultimately, the community has a lot of influence, depending on where the interests are. It’s not guaranteed that EA’s title will be the best on the market after FIFA 23”;

With the iconic name gone, EA will eventually have to present a strong new brand to their fans in the future. An all-around revamped game with new modes, revised gameplay or long-term motivating FUT experience could therefore only be waiting for soccer-loving gamers and professionals with EA Sports FC – unless FIFA intervenes. Denii10 sums it up for the scene: “We let ourselves be surprised. The focus is on FIFA 23 – but we all want competition for EA.”