The gaming community is buzzing with the news that FIFA 23 and all previous FIFA games have suddenly disappeared from digital platforms worldwide. This surprising move by EA Sports comes just as the company prepares to release its next major game in the franchise, the rebranded EA Sports FC 24. Twitter user MauroNL first noticed the delisting, noting that titles from FIFA 14 to FIFA 23 were no longer available for purchase on digital storefronts as of September 2023. However, FIFA 22 and FIFA 23 can still be acquired through the EA Play subscription service. Though in-game purchases for these games are still accessible, this development has sparked speculation among fans and experts alike.
According to the Steam page for the PC version of FIFA 23, the game has been removed “at the request of the publisher” and will no longer appear in search results. While this could be seen as a deliberate tactic by EA to create hype for the upcoming EA Sports FC 24, there may be more to this story. It is worth noting that EA’s partnership with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) ended in 2022. This organization, which governs real-life football, had worked closely with EA on previous game adaptations. However, EA made the decision to discontinue this collaboration in order to focus on creating new gaming experiences that catered to players’ preferences.
The termination of the partnership between EA and FIFA raises questions about the licensing rights for the older FIFA games. It is possible that without the license from FIFA, EA no longer has the authority to publish these games. However, it is important to note that EA has not officially confirmed this as the reason for the delisting. Despite the lack of official communication from the company, the sudden disappearance of the games coupled with broken links on EA’s website suggests that something significant has taken place.
As FIFA fans scramble to make sense of these developments, they are left with limited options for a football gaming experience similar to FIFA. The upcoming EA Sports FC 24, set to launch on multiple platforms including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch on September 29, 2023, seems to be the logical next step for those seeking a football fix. It is worth noting that those who preordered the Ultimate Edition gained early access to the game on September 22, 2023.
The removal of FIFA games from digital platforms ahead of the launch of EA Sports FC 24 has caused quite a stir in the gaming world. While the exact reasons for the delisting remain unknown, the end of EA’s partnership with FIFA and the potential licensing issues provide some possible explanations. Fans eagerly await further updates and clarification from EA as they adjust to the idea of FIFA 23 and previous titles being permanently retired. For now, players seeking a football gaming experience will have to look to EA Sports FC 24 and its promised “newer experiences and modalities of play.”
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