Electronic Arts (EA) has announced that it has signed a multi-year license extension with UEFA to keep the Champions League and Europa League exclusive to the FIFA franchise. The game company obtained the exclusive license to the Champions League in 2018.
Prior to 2018, the license was held by Konami, which develops and publishes Pro Evolution Soccer (PES). EA plans to expand the FIFA franchise with six mobile games, "ranging from authentic simulation to unique arcade formats offering new ways to play for everyone." The company is also launching FIFA Online 4, the free-to-play PC version of FIFA, in 15 new countries.
“Our vision is to create the most authentic, social and connected football experience by bringing our games to more devices, more countries and more fans around the world,” said DJ Jackson, VP, EA SPORTS Brand.
“EA Sports continues to rapidly transform how fans consume sport, evolving football from a passive and scheduled experience to an interactive one, accessible at any time. This is the world’s game, and EA SPORTS is doing everything we can to further connect players, athletes, clubs and leagues and grow the love of football, globally,” Jackson added.
FIFA 21 will arrive on Stadia on March 17 for the first time. FIFA 21, the 28th installment in the FIFA series, was released October 9, 2020 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PS4 and Xbox One. The PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions were released on December 3, 2020.
The best-selling game in the UK in 2020, FIFA 21 was nominated for the category of Best Sports/Racing game at The Game Awards 2020. In its review of FIFA 21, TheGamer wrote, “FIFA 21 boasts plenty of new features when compared to FIFA 20, and something about this year's offering feels different in a very promising way.”
The FIFA franchise has been listed in Guinness World Records as the best-selling sports video game franchise in the world. The FIFA series had sold over 325 million units over its lifetime. The main series has also had numerous installments based on single major tournaments, such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA European Football Championship.
Source: EuroGamer