With the rise of esports, sports based video games have become more than just virtual entertainment; they have evolved into competitive platforms where players worldwide showcase their skills.
One of the most popular types of sports video games in esports is, as you might imagine, football. Indeed, as far as you can see in the list of esports events which you could bet on by visiting the best esports betting sites available online, FIFA and eFootball are always there. But the situation is changing, and things might be different for FIFA in the upcoming season.
End of an Era
The end of the long-standing partnership between FIFA and Electronic Arts (EA), the creators of the widely popular FIFA video game series, is no longer news. The partnership, which brought to us the FIFA games for nearly 30 years, will come to an end with EA’s releasing their new or, should we just say, rebranded football game, EA Sports FC.
This unexpected shift raises a crucial questions:
- What will be the impact of this split on esports?
- Will we see football esports events splitting into three separate games (FIFA, EA Sports FC, and eFootbal) from 2025 onwards?
The possibility is certainly there. EA Sports FC, with its anticipated high-quality gameplay and established reputation of its creators, will likely secure a place in esports events. However, it’s also plausible that a separate FIFA game, if developed and marketed well, could get easly its own niche.
Meanwhile, eFootball, a rebrand of the iconic PES (Pro Evolution Soccer) by Konami, is already a well known in the esports world. With realistic gameplay mechanics and a great attention to details, the game holds its loyal base and continues to feature prominently in esports tournaments.
A Challenge Ahead
The potential for three football games in esports tournaments is intriguing but comes with its share of challenges.
Fragmentation may cause talent and audience to spread out, which could affect the overall viewership and player participation. Additionally, it could make things more complicated for esports event organizers, betting platforms, and sponsors, as they would need to decide which game to support.
On the other hand, this fresh change could bring new energy to the the football esports scene by encouraging more competitions and innovation. Since there will be three games competing for attention, developers will have the drive to enhance and distinguish their offerings in order to attract and keep players and audiences engaged. The deciding factor will likely be the quality of gameplay and how effectively each game can cultivate a vibrant, engaged community of players and fans.
The breakup of the FIFA-EA partnership signifies an important change for football games in esports. However, it’s not the only significant change in the gaming industry, as recently, Microsoft won a significant legal battle against the FTC regarding acquiring Activision Blizzard.
While the road ahead for esports might be challenging, it’s also ripe with opportunities for evolution and growth. One thing is for sure – as the landscape of football esports changes, gamers worldwide will adapt to whatever may come.