The video game industry is absolutely enormous, and it is continuing to grow every year. From simple mobile games to immersive worlds like Grand Theft Auto, it is an incredibly diverse and varied industry that attracts a wide range of age groups and demographics.
When we think of video games, the first thing that usually comes to mind is action-packed adventure titles often with fantasy elements. It may, then, come as a surprise to learn that one of the best-selling video games of all time is in fact a sports game. We’re talking of course about EA’s FIFA. FIFA is a football video game franchise that brings out a new title every year and enjoys massive popularity. Is it one of the biggest titles in the world? Let’s find out.
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The History Of FIFA
The first game in the FIFA franchise, FIFA International Soccer, was released in 1993 for the Sega Mega Drive. The launch was a successful one, surpassing even the developer’s expectations and becoming the UK’s fifth best-selling video game of that year.
From 1993 onwards, a new FIFA game was released every year. These often featured only minor tweaks or upgrades, but this worked to create a sense of familiarity among players who could easily adapt to the franchise’s gradual developments.
By the mid-2000s, the franchise was incredibly popular, with sport and video game fans alike eagerly awaiting the newest installment. Modern FIFA titles are almost unrecognizable when compared to previous iterations. They use top-of-the-line graphics that create a sense of immersion and realism, combined with ultra-responsive controls and accurate physics.
FIFA Esports
Electronic sports, or esports, is a type of competitive gaming, often using sports-based video game titles. Once thought of as a relatively niche sector, esports has absolutely exploded in recent years and is now a billion-dollar industry.
Players can make a lot of money by competing in and winning tournaments, while fans are just as dedicated to esports as their real-sport counterparts. Esports has also seen increasing interest from the sports betting industry, with platforms like 10bet South Africa offering numerous esports betting options.
The FIFA franchise has been instrumental in the popularization of esports, and accounts for one of the most-played titles in the esports industry. Major global football clubs such as Manchester City and RB Leipzig have even gone so far as to establish dedicated FIFA esports teams.
FIFA 18
Released in 2017, FIFA 18 was the 25th edition of the franchise and came out for Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch systems.
The title featured a number of updates and new features, including new leagues, teams, and stadiums. New legendary players such as Maradona were added, as well as new celebrations such as Ronaldo’s famous jump which the man himself provided a voiceover for.
A year after its release, EA confirmed that its FIFA 18 title has sold over 24 million copies worldwide. This incredible figure meant FIFA 18 was the best-selling FIFA edition to date, and amongst the most popular video games of all time.
The title won a number of awards, including Best Sports Game at the 2017 Game Critics Awards, Best Story at the 2017 Sports Game of the Year Awards, and Sports Game of the Year at the D.I.C.E Awards. FIFA 18 also received a number of nominations, including for Best Nintendo Switch Game and Best Sports Game at the 2017 Gamescom Awards and for Best Multiplayer Game at the Golden Joystick Awards.
How Does FIFA Compare To Other Sports Games?
FIFA is by far the most popular sports video game franchise. However, there are a number of other franchises that have also enjoyed a lot of success.
Madden is another EA franchise, this time dedicated to American football. Much like FIFA, a new Madden title is released every year, with each new edition featuring new and improved gameplay mechanics and the latest players, teams, and stadiums.
Basketball fans can turn to Visual Concepts’ NBA 2K, which is a basketball video game franchise that has existed since the 1990s. Since its inception, the franchise has sold over 90 million units worldwide, making it the most popular basketball series, eclipsing its previous rival NBA Live.
Conclusion
FIFA is undoubtedly one of the biggest titles in the world. Each new addition is met with great anticipation, and the series is enjoyed by sports and video game fans alike. It has been integral in the mainstream acceptance of esports and looks set to continue to grow in the future.
