The world of football gaming is about to witness a significant shift as FIFA, the international governing body of football, makes a comeback with its new mobile game, FIFA Rivals mobile game. This free-to-play mobile title is set to be released in the summer of 2025 and will be available on iOS and Android devices.
Interestingly, FIFA Rivals is not just another mobile football game; it distinguishes itself through its integration of blockchain technology, specifically Web3, which promises to revolutionize the gaming experience for football fans worldwide.
Why Did FIFA and EA Break Up?
To understand the significance of FIFA Rivals, it's important to understand why FIFA parted ways with EA Sports, its long-time partner for the immensely successful FIFA video game series. The collaboration, which spanned almost 30 years and over 40 titles, came to an end after the two organizations failed to agree on a new licensing deal following FIFA 23.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino then pledged to deliver a new, leading football gaming experience for fans. This ambition led to FIFA's partnership with Mythical Games, the developer behind NFL Rivals, to create FIFA Rivals.
What is FIFA Rivals?
FIFA Rivals will allow players to create and manage their own football clubs. Players can assemble their dream teams, compete in real-time PvP (player versus player) matches, and climb the ranks.
The gameplay is expected to share some similarities with its predecessor, FIFA, and competitors like Konami's eFootball and EAFC. The mobile game focuses on delivering fast-paced, arcade-style gameplay, making it accessible to a broader audience of football fans.
Blockchain Technology and Web3 Gaming in FIFA Rivals
The most significant difference between FIFA Rivals and its competitors is its integration of Web3 blockchain technology. This integration centers around a digital marketplace where players can buy, sell, and trade football players as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) using cryptocurrency. Mythical Games has prior experience with this technology in NFL Rivals, which suggests a similar model will be used for FIFA Rivals.
Mythical Games CEO, John Linden, highlights the potential of FIFA Rivals to attract over 100 million gamers into the Web3 space. This projection stems from the success of their NFL Rivals game, which has garnered over 6 million players from a comparatively smaller audience. Given that the 2022 FIFA World Cup reached approximately 5 billion viewers, the potential reach of a blockchain-powered FIFA game is substantial.
Concerns Regarding Pay-to-Win Mechanics
However, concerns have been raised about potential pay-to-win mechanics in FIFA Rivals. Some players of Mythical Games' NFL Rivals have criticized the game's reliance on microtransactions. They claim that achieving success in the game often requires financial investment. This feedback raises concerns about whether FIFA Rivals will follow a similar path.
Closing Note
The partnership between FIFA and Mythical Games is a significant step in FIFA's strategy to explore emerging technologies and expand its reach in the gaming world. The release of FIFA Rivals in 2025 will be a defining moment, revealing whether this blockchain-powered mobile game can capture the hearts of football fans worldwide or fall prey to the criticisms associated with pay-to-win models.