Electronic Arts (EA) breaks the norm with its recent release of EA Sports FC 24. By shedding the renowned FIFA tag, the game has still managed to secure impressive player statistics. Let’s delve into how EA’s latest iteration is fairing in the market compared to its predecessor, FIFA 23.

A Successful Launch Week

EA Sports FC 24, against certain expectations, pulled in more than 11.3 million players within its debut week. This total includes individuals who utilized EA Play to experience the game without directly purchasing it. When juxtaposed with FIFA 23, which amassed 10.3 million players in its initial week, the increase is notable. Thus, the apprehensions surrounding the potential impact of removing the FIFA name seem to have been unfounded—at least, when assessing the initial player count.

FC Mobile’s Remarkable Reception

On the mobile front, FC Mobile, EA’s companion game for EA Sports FC 24, experienced an explosive start. The mobile game was downloaded 2.2 million times on the day it was launched. Moreover, within the game’s inaugural 10 days, it drew in an impressive 11.2 million players.

The Split with FIFA

The parting of ways between EA and FIFA primarily stemmed from a reported demand by FIFA. They supposedly asked for a licensing fee of a whopping $1 billion from EA to continue using the FIFA moniker. However, EA’s independent licensing deals with football leagues, players, and communities positioned it in a way that it could confidently move forward without the FIFA name attached.

EA Sports FC 24’s Player Demographics

Cam Weber, EA Sports president, commented on the game’s performance. He revealed that not only did the previous players return to embrace EA Sports FC 24, but there was also an almost 20% surge in new player acquisitions.

Exclusive Rewards for Early Players

To incentivize early adoption, EA has laid out rewards for those diving into the game before certain dates. Players of EA Sports FC 24 will unlock FC Founder benefits, encompassing a variety of in-game items and content for the Ultimate Team, if they play by November 1. Simultaneously, those engaging with EA Sports FC Mobile before November 30 will be awarded a Founders Pack that packs in diverse in-game assets.

Monetization and Player Backlash

It’s essential to mention that while EA Sports FC 24 has seen a generally positive reception, it has not been without criticism. A point of contention for players is the game’s Ultimate Team loot box, priced at $30. EA’s sports titles have historically garnered significant revenue from microtransactions and loot boxes within their Ultimate Team modes. And it appears that EA Sports FC 24 continues this tradition.

Final Thoughts

EA Sports FC 24 has, surprisingly to some, begun its journey on a high note despite detaching from the established FIFA branding. While it has seen commendable success in player numbers, especially when compared to FIFA 23, the game continues to face challenges, especially in the realm of monetization. It will be intriguing to observe if EA Sports FC 24 can sustain this momentum and how EA addresses player feedback in the coming months.

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