In leaked comments, EA says FIFA license is holding back soccer game design

Artist's conception of the jockeying for position between EA and FIFA in this licensing fight.

We've known for months that EA has been questioning the value of its nearly three-decade-long relationship with FIFA, the international soccer governing body whose name has become synonymous with an ultra-popular video game series. Now, though, newly leaked statements attributed to EA CEO Andrew Wilson detail how "ironically, the FIFA license has actually been an impediment" to some of the ways EA wants to "grow the franchise."

"Our players tell us they want more modes of play, different things beyond 11 vs. 11 and different types of gameplay," Wilson said in a November all-hands meeting, according to a Video Games Chronicle report. "I would tell you, it's been a fight to get FIFA to acknowledge the types of things that we want to create because they say our license only covers certain categories... FIFA is just the name on the box, but they've precluded our ability to be able to branch into the areas that players want."

Beyond gameplay, the FIFA license also limits EA's ability to include "more cultural and commercial brands" in the game, Wilson reportedly said. FIFA's existing relationship with Adidas bars the inclusion of any Nike-branded products or imagery in the game, for instance.

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