CHAPTER FOURTEEN:
EA SPORTS RELEASES FIFA
As Electronic Arts became a powerhouse in the world of sports video games, developing and commercializing a soccer game wasn’t immediately on the company’s radar. But a passionate group of employees based out of their England office fought to have the game made. They modeled a moderate commerical success, found potential development resources and made their case. When the game was ultimately made, it sold more copies than anyone imagined. When it began growing in popularity throughout the US, EA invested in what would become one of the world’s most popular games.
(Photo credit: Electronic Arts via Wired Magazine)
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
EA SPORTS RELEASES FIFA
EA Sports FC has played a role in exposing Americans to elements of the beautiful game that it couldn’t access through linear media outlets. Before it was possible to watch a chosen Premier League team on NBC every weekend, or even once in a while on Fox, it was possible to play as that Premier League team on EA Sports FC. This helped create an undercurrent of fandom that had not yet existed and simultaneously educated American soccer fans on elements of the game that didn’t necessarily have a fan manual.
(Photo credit: Sports Illustrated)
Our GUEST
Michael LoRé is a soccer and golf journalist based in New York City. A contributor to Forbes SportsMoney since 2018, he covers the business of both industries, including innovative brands like Malbon and St. Louis City SC, products and people like Kyle Martino and Michelle Wie West. Having previously worked for The Express-Times (2008-15), New York City FC (2015) and the NHL (2015-16), Michael’s work can also be seen in: PGATOUR.com, The Guardian, GOLF.com, MyGolfSpy, Glory, Robb Report, Kingdom Magazine, AZ Golf Insider and more. Follow Michael for continued coverage of his two passions: soccer and golf.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
To learn more about EA Sports FC and its importance to the growth of the game in America, we recommend the following resources.
Books
Articles
- ‘The perfect dorm game’: how the Fifa series helped sell soccer to the US
- FIFA: The game that changed the game
- The Power And Influence Of ‘EA Sports FC’ Expands Beyond Video Games
- EA Sports FIFA Soccer’s US Boom
Our PERSPECTIVE
Throughout the Founding Futbol project, guests have referenced the impact of EA Sports FIFA, now EA Sports FC. Even guests that were part of the soccer world, or part of massively impactful moments. The ubiquity of EA Sports FC in the household of American sports fans, even before soccer became popular, provided a hint of what was to come.
The role the game has played in helping shorten the learning curve around the global game also can’t be understated. EA Sports FC gave fans a way to learn about players, teams, leagues and mechanics of roster building.
Few moments have had the reach of EA Sports FC, and it stands tall among the 52 moments we’re exploring.
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