EA extends FIFA licence deal News

PC PlayStation 2 GameCube Xbox GameBoy Advance PSOne Dreamcast PSP DS N-Gage Xbox 360 Gizmondo Mobile PlayStation 3 Wii
News by Tom Bramwell

27 April, 2006

EA's extended its all-encompassing licence deal with the football world's governing body FIFA.

The deal, announced today, means we can expect to be playing everything up to and including FIFA 2014 - or at the very least bemoaning them.

In an announcement on FIFA's site, the sport's governing body said the licence was an exclusive worldwide deal applying to interactive football player, manage and fantasy software games, and took in consoles, mobiles and basically anything else you can think of.

The deal's no surprise, mind you - EA's been making games with FIFA for more than a decade, and they've always been hugely successful. Even when, you know.

EA's latest FIFA title, 2006 FIFA World Cup, is due out on PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, PC, Nintendo DS, GBA and mobile formats this Friday, April 28th - with a PSP version to follow on May 19th.

On a related note, we've got some exclusive footage of the game over on Eurogamer TV, including bits dedicated to the stadiums and players.

Are you excited about 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany on Xbox/PlayStation 2/GameCube?
View Eurogamer readers most anticipated games

Yes

Thanks!

Want to comment on this article? Log in, or register!

Poster

Comment Low-scoring comments hidden. Log in to see them!

Bill Door

27/04/06 @ 08:18

You buried this comment

Comment below viewing threshold

Show

You PES fanboy you :)

Seriously, though Fifa games are pretty ace. They have as much depth as you want them to have, depending on how high you ramp the difficulty and how much time you spend tinkering with the settings.

thesnowman

27/04/06 @ 08:24

You buried this comment

Comment below viewing threshold

Show

really

Blerk

27/04/06 @ 08:26

You buried this comment

Comment below viewing threshold

Show

Isn't Fifa 2014 out this year?

Oh, you mean the year 2014! I see now.

dbeamish

27/04/06 @ 08:42

You buried this comment

Comment below viewing threshold

Show

so all the years of average reviews and substandard haven't changed FIFAs mind then?

Exclusive licenses should be banned. Opening it up will make it more competitive and produce a better variety.

MoFo

27/04/06 @ 08:48

You buried this comment

Comment below viewing threshold

Show

"Opening it up will make it more competitive and produce a better variety."

and give FIFA less cash in their pocket.

wolfen

27/04/06 @ 08:55

You buried this comment

Comment below viewing threshold

Show

FIFA's license, other than brand recognition after 12 years, is pretty much rubbish, mind - the FIFPro and individual federation licenses are worth a lot more, IMHO. Except every four years, where the holder is entitled to an additional game.

gallow

27/04/06 @ 09:18

You buried this comment

Comment below viewing threshold

Show

Its not really a shock but why? They should make the FIFA officials play a FIFA game and then PES5. That will fix them. You hear.

So how does this effect other games now (Football Manager/the limited teams in PES) if its an exclusive license.

Bill Door

27/04/06 @ 10:51

You buried this comment

Comment below viewing threshold

Show

You might as well not bother reigniting the PES v FIFA debate (can you reignite something that's never really gone out?) as it's down to personal preference. I like football, have done for over 25 years and personally I feel FIFA is a more acurate representation of the game than PES and I'm sure you feel completely the opposite. We'll never change our opinions so there's no point trolling a FIFA related thread is there? :)

dsmx

27/04/06 @ 11:09

You buried this comment

Comment below viewing threshold

Show

I wish FIFA instead of going after money would actualy do something in football to make it a better game, like doing something about diving.

coojam

27/04/06 @ 11:09

#10

You buried this comment

Comment below viewing threshold

Show

Working in a games shop, I see both sides of the debate. As I'm not particularly a football fan, I prefer Pro Evo, as gameplay-wise, its a better experience. A colleague who is a BIG football fan is convinced Pro Evo emulates the way real games work a lot better (ie. tactics, ball control etc.)

However, after playing Fifa World Cup 06, I found the animation to be smooth, the controls to be much tighter and overall a better game that previous Fifas I have played. Saying that, I still found a loophole where I could hoof the ball right down the pitch, dodging the last line of defence, and scoring with a straight on shot at the goalie. That game ended 9-0.

But I'd agree and say that, as a football supporter, Fifa is a better choice, as its a more "complete" game. Not that I know how that would feel, as I'm not a football supporter!

Eighthours

27/04/06 @ 14:14

#11

You buried this comment

Comment below viewing threshold

Show

FIFA's license, other than brand recognition after 12 years, is pretty much rubbish, mind

Sales-wise, that's rubbish.

Want to comment on this article? Log in, or register!