Fans of the FIFA soccer simulation series created by EA Games will be pleased to know that the company has secured the rights to the FIFA name until December 31, 2022, according to a report in VideoGamer. EA will continue to hold exclusive rights to FIFA-branded video games during that time, and no other soccer games will be able to use the FIFA name. EA Sports executive Andrew Wilson released a statement about the news and the two organizations long, fruitful history.
"EA Sports released the first FIFA-branded soccer game in 1993, and 20 years later our partnership with FIFA continues to be very strong...Our franchise has become the benchmark for quality and innovation in the sports video game genre, and we look forward to many more years of connecting with consumers around the world with our games carrying the prestigious FIFA name."
EA has had a long history of securing the rights to major sports organizations so that they hold a virtual monopoly on realistic sporting games. EA has similar agreements with the National Football League, The National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, and the National Hockey League. EA recently announced that, despite the popularity of women's soccer teams, such as the 2012 Gold Medal Winning US National team, female soccer players will not be part of the game.
FIFA 14 has been set to launch on September 29 for the Xbox 360, PC, and PlayStation 3. The game will incorporate many new elements to make the game the most realistic soccer video game ever. With improved teammate A.I that will bring more realistic reactions on both offense and defense, the Pure Shot system, an improved career mode, and a completely redone ball physics engine, soccer fans can expect a lot from the game when it becomes available.
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