EA delists FIFA titles from all digital storefronts except EA Play
In a surprising move, Electronic Arts (EA) has terminated its nearly 30-year partnership with FIFA, marking the end of an era for one of the gaming industry’s most iconic collaborations. The decision has sent ripples across digital storefronts as EA has delisted its FIFA titles, making them unavailable for purchase on major platforms such as the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Nintendo eShop, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.
The termination of the partnership and the subsequent delisting of the FIFA series come at a pivotal moment for EA. The gaming giant is transitioning to its new football series, now branded as “EA FC”. The first title under this new banner, EA Sports FC 24, is set to go on general sale on September 29, with early access having been available since September 22 for those who secured the Ultimate Edition.
While the official FIFA 23 webpage on EA’s site still directs users to now-defunct links, the game remains accessible for EA Play members. This move, however, has left many in the gaming community puzzled, seeking clarity on the sudden delisting of a beloved series.
According to a statement on the game’s Steam page, “At the request of the publisher, EA SPORTS FIFA 23 is unlisted on the Steam store and will not appear in search.” SteamDB further revealed that the game was removed from the Steam store on September 21, 2023, just a day before the launch of EA’s successor to the FIFA series.
While the new EA Sports FC 24 is on the horizon, early reviews from outlets like VGC suggest mixed feelings. The transition away from the FIFA license seems to have left some aspects of the game feeling like an afterthought, despite the continued appreciation for modes like Ultimate Team.
The reasons behind EA’s decision to end its longstanding relationship with FIFA and the strategy for its new football series remain topics of intense speculation and interest. As the gaming world awaits the official release of EA Sports FC 24, questions linger about the future direction of EA’s football gaming franchise and the legacy of its partnership with FIFA.
