Football isn’t just a game – it’s a way of life. People love playing football, watching football – and football betting has never been more popular. People also love playing football games…
Electronic Arts Football Club games have been the most popular football games for decades, going all the way back to the early 1990s – and how times have changed. The games have gone from old-school pixelated pitches to hyper-realistic football simulations that let us get involved in the action like never before. This is a series that has undergone massive transformations – and has managed to earn a reputation as one of the most iconic and best-selling franchises in the history of gaming.
Here, we’re going to dive into the evolution of the game – and look at how it has transformed over the years.
In the Beginning: FIFA International Soccer (1993)
It all started in 1993 with the release of FIFA International Soccer for the Sega MegaDrive, SNES and various other gaming systems. Unlike other football games of the time – which were reliant on a bird’s-eye or side-scrolling view, this game was the first to introduce an isometric perspective, which set it apart from the rest from the get-go.
The gameplay was simple but fun – and although player likenesses and team licenses were somewhat limited, it was the first step towards an immersive football simulation.
The first game was so successful that it paved the way for annual releases – and it soon became a yearly tradition for fans to try out all the new and improved rosters and gaming mechanics.
Realism Takes a Front Seat: Late 1990s to Early 2000s
By the late 1990s, EA Sports was the biggest name in sports gaming and games like FIFA 98: Road to World Cup introduced brand-new features that took the genre to a whole new level – including indoor football and even licensed national teams. FIFA 99 took it even further and added club competitions and even more refined player controls.
When they moved on to 3D graphics with FIFA 2000 this was a real turning point. Players actually started to look like their real-life counterparts, and the motion-captured animations made it feel even more realistic. They introduced official league licenses – starting with the English Premier League, which made it even more immersive.
The Biggest Football Games of the 2000s
Throughout the 2000s, EA was still the biggest name in football gaming. Games like FIFA 2003 and FIFA 2004 started to introduce even more innovative gameplay elements… such as the Career Mode, where players could manage teams over different seasons. Moreover, the commentary, stadium design, and crowd reactions were even more realistic – taking it to the next level.
However, it was at this time that EA saw some serious competition – from Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer (PES), but FIFA’s better licensing agreements, polish and brilliance still gave it the edge and by the end of the 2000s, features like Be a Pro mode and the inclusion of international tournaments made them pretty much untouchable.
An Online Revolution: 2010s
The 2010s saw the rise of online gaming – and we were treated to modes like Ultimate Team (introduced in FIFA 09) where you could build your dream team by collecting player cards through packs – and thus it became a cultural phenomenon.
The graphics also got even better – and by the time FIFA 14 was released on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, you could expect stunning visuals, realistic players, and even more dynamic AI. When FIFA 17 introduced The Journey, a story-driven campaign, things got even better still.
A New Name a New Era: EA Sports FC (2023)
In 2023, it underwent its biggest change to date – rebranding from FIFA to EA Sports FC – and the split from FIFA marked the end of a nearly 30-year partnership. However, EA managed to keep its licensing agreements with all the leagues, clubs, and players, so it was business as usual.
EA Sports FC 24 was a whole new chapter – with even better gameplay mechanics like using ‘HyperMotion’ technology, where machine learning is used to simulate even more realistic player movements and every player’s individuality becomes even more pronounced. They also introduced the Women’s Champions League and women’s club teams, taking footballing games into the new world.
The Future
This is going to be exciting – as they start to work with emerging technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality (AR) which could take it to a whole new level. Cross-play has already brought players on different platforms closer together and there’s no doubt that AI will continue to make the games even more realistic.
There’s also a focus on getting even bigger in the esports world, so we can enjoy even more competitive gaming – and potentially the chance to turn your skills into serious money.
EAFC has dominated from the start – and with its willingness to embrace all new technologies, it’s likely to be the biggest name in football gaming for years to come.