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Fifa has reportedly agreed a video game licensing deal with publisher 2K Sports to revive the FIFA series ahead of the 2026 men’s World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico and possibly as early as later this year.
Take-Two Interactive’s 2K Sports had been linked with a move for the licence earlier this year, and now a widely reported post by gaming retailer Mohplay has suggested a late 2024 release date for the presumably titled ‘FIFA 2K25’ is now likely.
2K Sports’ portfolio includes the hugely popular NBA 2K series and games focusing on WWE and professional tennis, while it has also developed National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL) and PGA Tour simulations in the past.
Previous partner EA Sports ended its hugely successful three-decade partnership with Fifa back in 2022 after the two sides failed to agree new financial terms. It was understood that EA considered Fifa’s proposed licensing terms too restrictive, while Fifa is understood to have wanted to double its licensing fee of US$1 billion.
The publishing giant has since rebranded its title as ‘EA FC’, while Fifa has launched a slew of online and mobile titles but has indicated its desire to return to the simulation market – adding strength to reports of 2K’s potential involvement.
“I can assure you that the only authentic, real game that has the Fifa name will be the best one available for gamers and football fans,” Fifa president Gianni Infantino said at the time. “The FIFA name is the only global, original title. FIFA 23, FIFA 24, FIFA 25 and FIFA 26, and so on – the constant is the Fifa name and it will remain forever and remain the best.”
SportsPro has contacted 2K for comment.
Fifa’s split with EA Sports was a huge surprise given the former received significant revenues and marketing benefits for intellectual property that delivered very little. While EA has moved on successfully with its own brand, many have waited to see whether Fifa had a future in the space.
The rising cost of development and acquiring licenses has created seemingly insurmountable barriers to entry for anyone ambitious enough to take on EA Sports. Even then, it could take years to create a viable product and compete effectively given EA’s brand loyalty, development nous and marketing budget.
It’s always important to take video game rumours with a pinch of salt, even those reported by credible gaming news outlets. But if there is one company with the resources and desire to facilitate Fifa’s return to the world of soccer video gaming it’s Take-Two, given its strong track record in sports development, the market awareness of the 2K brand, and the funds that come from owning Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar.
However, even if a large amount of development has already been completed in secret, a release date of late 2024 seems hugely ambitious. Other challenger titles, convinced there is desire for an alternative to EA FC, have spent years working on their products without a commercial launch. Even Japanese titan Konami, developer of the Pro Evolution Soccer series, has had teething problems with its pivot to a free-to-play (F2P) model with eFootball.
But then again, none of these companies are Take-Two. And Fifa, already confident that it could survive without EA Sports, might be optimistic enough of success regardless of the scale of the challenge.
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