The FIFA Franchise has hit the two decade mark this year with its most recent release, FIFA 13. Debuting in 1993 with FIFA International Football for the Sega Mega Drive, the series has come a long way from its 16-bit beginnings. Arguably the most popular sports video game series worldwide with over 4.5 million copies of FIFA 13 sold in the first five days, Electronic Arts’ FIFA has heavily influenced the soccer video game industry.

Gameplay

Although the sport of soccer has remained much the same for the past half century, in the 20 years since its inception the FIFA series has annually improved the soccer gaming experience, rolling out new game-modes, updated engines and graphics and other innovations on a fairly regular basis.

“We’re never short of ideas for the future and even when we’re in the heat of the battle finishing a current year’s game, we’re always thinking about new ideas we can do the following year,” Executive Producer at EA David Rutter said. “I think everyone on the team looks forward to not only getting the game in the hands of our fans, but hearing back from those fans on their thoughts, integrating their feedback into our plans for what we want to put in the game for the future, and challenging ourselves to come up with innovations no one has thought of before.”

Soccer Immersion

Much of the game’s appeal comes from its realistic gameplay. This development of realism allows for players to emulate the professional game as it is played today. EA was also one of the first sports game companies to take advantage of motion capture technology, allowing for a seamless playing experience. Motion capture made animating complex skill moves (such as “the rainbow”) much easier. EA first recruited French international David Ginola to provide motion captured skill moves for FIFA ‘97, giving each move in the game a touch of reality.

This development of realism allows for players to emulate the professional game as it is played today. In the most recent edition of the game, FIFA 13 has even added a “First-touch control” system in which players’ first touch corresponds to their skill level in real life.

“It’s so realistic,” senior Will Crameri said. “The player performances are adjusted to how the players perform in real life. Better players have better touches and control, while others don’t do as well.”

Global Culture and Sales

While the term “FIFA” technically refers to the Federation Internationale de Football Association, people all over the world will understand when asked, “Up for a game of FIFA?”.
The FIFA video game series’ popularity has grown exponentially since its birth in 1993. In the development of FIFA, EA has taken full advantage of the rapid growth of the gaming industry.
EA profits greatly due to this global fascination. This past September, EA released the newest edition of the FIFA gaming series, FIFA 13. The game sold 4.5 million copies five days after its release, which is a breakthrough number. These sales have set the bar for the gaming industry.

The rapid sales rate for FIFA 13 makes the game the fastest selling sports game ever. With millions of copies sold and lots more to be purchased, FIFA 13 is headed towards record breaking profits in the history of the gaming industry.

“There is a massive global appetite for our game on all the different platforms and we will continue to make the game as long as people want to continue to play it,” Rutter said.

Player Experience

The FIFA series has captured a global culture in which players everywhere compete in a virtual world of professional soccer. The most attractive feature of FIFA culture is its relation to professional soccer, giving a players a direct connection with the teams they follow and support. Players are able to control world class players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta right from their fingertips.

“I get really into it. It feels like the teams are playing for real. Playing for Manchester United is an honor,” Will said. “I feel like the weight of the squad and its fans are on my shoulders.”

This simulation is the essential aspect of FIFA culture, which allows for players to emulate the game and its pros from their gaming consoles. Gamers’ dedication to their favorite teams is directly expressed in playing the game. The players get a sense of representing the squad, and go all out to provide club superiority.