SUMMARY
- FIFA game series had a massive change in 2024, with EA changing its name to EA FC 2024.
- New leaks suggest that FIFA might be getting a new developer.
After EA Sports broke ties with FIFA, there has been a newly surfaced rumor suggesting that the game franchise may soon have a new developer.
2023 marked the first time in over three decades that the fans did not receive a new FIFA game. Ever since its launch in 1993, the titles of the series have always been developed and published by Electronic Arts. However, the two companies decided to end their partnership in 2022. The reason for this was cited as EA being unwilling to pay the licensing fees demanded by FIFA.
Eventually, EA published one final entry in the franchise bound by the contract, FIFA 23, which was released in September 2022.
2K is the new reported developer of FIFA
As per reports 2K could be the new developer of the next official FIFA game. It is believed that the Novato, California-based publisher has been eyeing the FIFA license for years. And with the drift between EA and FIFA, 2K found its way.
Although EA dusted its hands off FIFA, it continued using its football simulation expertise with the newly started EA Sports FC series. Meanwhile, FIFA has started looking for a new developer partner to continue its 30-year-old series. Seems like they’ve found one in 2K.
My favourite FIFA game ❤
2K2, oops, 2002 FIFA World Cup pic.twitter.com/Q0rt7WMMRw
— Kurakasis (@Kurakasis) February 12, 2024
The information was shared by a self-dubbed “video game researcher” and a Twitter user named Kurakasis. The leaker does not claim to have any insider industry knowledge, however, they have years of track record in digging up leaks. Their scoops include the title of the new Indiana Jones game, which they credited to a public source.
However, this time, Kurakasis did not credit their latest leak to any particular source. besides, the leaker has also avoided clearly saying that 2K is the new FIFA developer. Instead, they chose to use cryptic words that hint at the possibility of the same.
Recently, the news of 2K and its parent company Take-Two Interactive filing a new IP also surfaced. However, that did not reveal any activity hinting at 2K’s plans regarding a FIFA game. Besides, there are no reports of FIFA filing any trademarks related to the video game after cutting ties with EA.
That being said, back in 2023, the football governing body had confirmed that a new FIFA game is happening without EA.
2K Sports developing FIFA Game is not surprising
Interestingly, the name of 2K being associated with FIFA is nothing new, for multiple reasons. One of the reasons is that 2K flaunts an extensive track record of developing sports simulations. Its portfolio includes highly successful franchises such as NBA 2K, PGA Tour 2K, and WWE 2K.
Besides, there have been multiple indications of 2K Games considering buying the FIFA license way before EA officially announced its unwillingness to renew its exclusive rights.
Given that current scenario, several people from the community believe that 2K Sports is indeed the best publisher for FIFA in the series’ post-EA’s exit. It remains to be seen if the news is accurate or just any other floating leak that will never see the light of day.