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FIFA (video game series) facts for kids

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EA Sports FC
Easports fifa logo.svg
FIFA logo
Genres Sports (association football)
Simulation
Developers Extended Play Productions (1993–1997)
EA Vancouver (1997–present)
EA Romania (2016–present)
Publishers EA Sports
Platforms Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Amiga, DOS, N-Gage, 32X, Mega-CD/Sega CD, Master System, Game Gear, Sega Saturn, GameCube, Gizmondo, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Super NES, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, Microsoft Windows, iOS, Java ME, Android, Xbox 360, Xbox, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Windows Phone, macOS, Zeebo, Stadia
Original release Annually, 1993–2023
First release FIFA International Soccer
15 December 1993 - 27 September 2022
Latest release FIFA 23
27 September 2022

The FIFA video game series is a super popular football (soccer) game. It was created by EA Sports in partnership with FIFA, the world's football governing body. These games are available in 18 languages and sold in 51 countries.

FIFA is listed in Guinness World Records as the best-selling sports video game series ever. By 2021, over 325 million copies had been sold!

After 30 years, EA and FIFA ended their partnership in July 2023. The game series is now called EA Sports FC. FIFA 23 was the last game released under the FIFA name.

Before FIFA came along, other football games like Sensible Soccer were popular. But when FIFA International Soccer launched in 1993, it was special. It was the first game to have an official license from FIFA. This meant it could use real team names and logos.

Besides the main games, there were also special versions for big tournaments. These included the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA European Football Championship. Since the 1990s, FIFA's main rival has been Pro Evolution Soccer (or PES).

As of FIFA 23, two famous players are on the cover: Sam Kerr from Chelsea Women and Kylian Mbappé from Paris Saint-Germain. Sam Kerr made history as the first female footballer to be on the global cover of the game! Kylian Mbappé has been on the cover for three years in a row. Other famous players like Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney have also been cover stars many times.

FIFA 12 broke records, selling over 3.2 million copies in its first week. This made it the "fastest selling sports game ever." The latest game, FIFA 23, came out on September 27, 2022. You can play it on many gaming systems, including PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and Series S.

Game History

Release timeline
1993 FIFA International Soccer
1994 FIFA Soccer 95
1995 FIFA Soccer 96
1996 FIFA 97
1997 FIFA 98
1998 FIFA World Cup 98
FIFA 99
1999 FIFA 2000
2000 FIFA 2001
2001 FIFA Football 2002
2002 2002 FIFA World Cup
FIFA Football 2003
2003 FIFA Football 2004
2004 FIFA Football 2005
2005 FIFA Street (2005)
FIFA 06
2006 FIFA Street 2
2006 FIFA World Cup
FIFA 07
2007 FIFA 08
2008 FIFA Street 3
FIFA 09
2009 FIFA 10
2010 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa
FIFA 11
2011 FIFA 12
2012 FIFA 13
2013 FIFA 14
2014 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
FIFA 15
2015 FIFA 16
2016 FIFA 17
FIFA Mobile
2017 FIFA 18
2018 FIFA 19
2019 FIFA 20
2020 FIFA 21
2021 FIFA 22
2022 FIFA 23
2023 FC 24

While FIFA 95 mostly added the ability to play with club teams, FIFA 96 brought big changes. It was the first to use real player names thanks to a license from FIFPro. The PlayStation and PC versions used a "Virtual Stadium" engine, making players look 2D but move in a 3D stadium.

FIFA 97 improved this with 3D player models and an indoor soccer mode. A big step forward was FIFA: Road to World Cup 98. This game had much better graphics, a full World Cup mode with qualifying rounds, and improved gameplay. It also had a licensed soundtrack with popular songs.

Commentators like John Motson and Martin Tyler have been the voices of the FIFA series over the years.

Game Development and Features

The FIFA games have sometimes faced small criticisms, like not always having huge improvements from one year to the next. As more game consoles came out, FIFA had a big rival: Pro Evolution Soccer (PES). The competition between these two games has been called the "greatest rivalry" in sports video games.

At first, FIFA felt more like an "arcade-style" game, while PES was more realistic. But EA learned from PES and improved FIFA's gameplay. This helped FIFA become much more popular in the early 2010s.

By 2000, the FIFA series had sold over 16 million copies. By 2010, it had sold over 100 million copies, making it the best-selling sports video game series in the world.

In 2012, EA Sports signed Lionel Messi to the FIFA series, taking him from PES. Messi's picture then appeared on the cover of FIFA Street. In 2013, a women's footballer named Vero Boquete started a petition asking for female players in FIFA. This led to FIFA 16, released in 2015, including female national teams for the first time.

In 2018, FIFA 18 was called "the slickest, most polished and by far the most popular football game around." It was praised for its "Ultimate Team" mode, where you collect player packs to build a dream team. It also had a "Journey mode" where you could play as an aspiring pro.

The latest FIFA games have many official licenses. This means they include real leagues and teams from all over the world. You can play with teams from the German Bundesliga, English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and many more. This lets you use real team names, club badges, and player names in the games. Some popular clubs from countries like Greece and India are also included in a "Rest of World" section.

Games in the Series

1990s Games

FIFA International Soccer

The first FIFA game came out in late 1993. It was special because it showed the game from an angled view, different from other football games at the time. It only had national teams, and players didn't have their real names. A funny bug allowed players to score easily by standing in front of the goalkeeper. This game was a huge hit in the UK. The 3DO version had the best graphics for its time. It was made to celebrate the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA.

FIFA 95

FIFA 95 used a similar game engine but added club teams for the first time. It included teams from eight national leagues, like Brazil, Germany, Italy, Spain, and England. Most teams had lineups from the 1993–94 season, but players still had generic names. This was the only main FIFA game released on just one platform.

FIFA 96

This was the first FIFA game with real-time 3D graphics on PlayStation, PC, and Sega Saturn. It was also the first to feature real player names and positions. You could even edit players and teams. New leagues like the Scottish Premier Division were added. This game also had a proper introduction video for the first time.

FIFA 97

A big change in FIFA 97 was the addition of a 6-a-side indoor soccer mode. Players were made of polygons, and their movements were captured from real players like David Ginola. The game featured many more leagues and had commentary by John Motson and Andy Gray.

FIFA: Road to World Cup 98

This game was a big improvement for the series. It had better graphics, more team and player options, and 16 stadiums. The "Road to World Cup" mode let you play with all FIFA national teams. For the first time, the offside rule was correctly implemented. It was also the first FIFA game to have a licensed soundtrack, with "Song 2" by Blur as the intro song. This was the last FIFA game released on 16-bit consoles.

FIFA 99

FIFA 2000

This version of FIFA included over 40 "classic" teams, letting players control football legends. It also added Major League Soccer from the USA for the first time. New national leagues from Denmark, Greece, Israel, Norway, and Turkey were also included. The game tried a new graphics engine to make players look more "emotional."

2000s Games

FIFA 2001

This game had a new graphics engine that made team kits more detailed. Some players even had their own unique faces. For the first time, the game included official club emblems. It also added the Austrian and Korean leagues. A "hack" feature was included, letting players try an intentional foul. This was the first FIFA game that could be played online on PC.

FIFA Football 2002

FIFA Football 2002 introduced power bars for passes, making the game more challenging. It also included club emblems for more European clubs. A card reward system, like Panini stickers, was added. When you won a competition, you could unlock a star player card. This was the last main FIFA game to feature the Japanese national team for a while.

FIFA Football 2003

FIFA Football 2003 brought completely new gameplay. The graphics were greatly improved, with more detailed stadiums, players, and kits. A "Club Championship Mode" let you play against 17 top European clubs in their own stadiums, with real crowd chants. A new "Freestyle Control" feature let players do tricks and passes more easily. This was also the first game in the series to use EA Trax for its music.

FIFA Football 2004

A big new feature in FIFA Football 2004 was the addition of secondary divisions. This meant you could take lower-ranked teams and help them get promoted to the top leagues. A new "off the ball" feature allowed you to control two players at once. The online mode was a major focus. This was also the first FIFA game to feature Latin American club teams from Mexico and Argentina.

FIFA Football 2005

FIFA Football 2005 was released earlier than usual. It brought back the "create-a-player" mode and an improved Career mode. The biggest change was "first-touch gameplay," which let players do real-life tricks and passes. It was also the first version to include the full Mexican League. This was the last FIFA game released for the original PlayStation in the US.

FIFA 06

For FIFA 06, the game engine was completely redone, giving players much more control. The Career mode was also made more detailed, and "team chemistry" was introduced. This feature showed how well team members played together. New commentators Clive Tyldesley and Andy Gray took over.

A cool new feature was a "retro" section. It included classic player biographies, memorable moments videos, and the chance to play the very first FIFA game, "FIFA 94." The game also had a Classic XI team of football legends and a World XI team of current superstars. The Xbox 360 version, called FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup, focused only on national teams and used a brand-new engine for the Xbox 360's powerful graphics.

FIFA 07

Key changes in FIFA 07 included a new "Interactive Leagues" function and new stadiums like Wembley Stadium. You could also create your own custom teams. The game's look and feel were mostly the same as the previous one. The Xbox 360 version used a completely new game engine. This was the last FIFA game released for the GameCube, original Xbox, and Game Boy Advance.

FIFA 08

FIFA 08 introduced a new game mode called "Be a Pro." In this mode, you control only one player on the field. It also added more clubs, including the League of Ireland and the Hyundai A-League from Australia. The game also had a "Practice Arena" where you could train your dribbling, shooting, and free kicks. This was the first FIFA game for PlayStation 3 and Wii. The Wii version used motion controls for shooting and had mini-games.

FIFA 09

FIFA 09 featured a new collision system and an option for 10 versus 10 "Be a Pro" online matches. The "Adidas Live Season" feature updated player stats in a league based on their real-life performance. Online play was improved with "FIFA 09 Clubs," allowing players to form teams and play online. This was the first FIFA game where players could control goal celebrations.

2010s Games

FIFA 10

FIFA 10 had an improved Manager Mode. It included a new Assistant Manager to help with team lineups and rotations. Player growth was now based on in-game performance and achievements. The game featured 50 stadiums and 31 leagues, including the Russian Premier League. It also introduced 360-degree player control, a big step up from the previous 8-direction control.

FIFA 11

FIFA 11 introduced a new Career Mode, where you could play as a Manager, Player, or Player Manager. Other new features included a better passing system and improved player appearances. For the first time, you could play as a Goalkeeper.

FIFA 12

FIFA 12 was a "revolutionary year" for the series. It was the first FIFA game to have Arabic commentary. The PC version was now the same as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions. New features included:

  • Player Impact Engine: A physics engine that made player interactions feel more real.
  • Precision Dribbling: Gave attacking players more control over the ball.
  • Tactical Defending: Made positioning, intercepting passes, and tackling equally important.
  • Pro Player Intelligence: Made computer-controlled players act more like real players.

FIFA 13

On Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, FIFA 13 was the first game to work with Kinect and PlayStation Move. It also featured the Saudi Professional League for the first time. This was the only FIFA game released on the Wii U. New features included:

  • Attacking Intelligence: Players automatically analyzed space and thought ahead.
  • Complete Dribbling: Allowed 360-degree movement with the ball.
  • 1st Touch Control: Made touches less perfect, allowing defenders to win the ball back.
  • EA SPORTS Football Club: Let players earn rewards, level up, and play challenges with friends.

FIFA 14

For the new PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles, FIFA 14 used a new engine called Ignite. This brought better graphics, like changing weather, and improved gameplay. Features like Human Intelligence made the computer players act more like real players. All versions had a new Co-op Seasons online mode, where two players could play a season for the same team. For the first time, top leagues from Argentina, Chile, and Colombia were included. This was the last FIFA game released for the PlayStation Portable and the last PlayStation 2 game produced in South America.

FIFA 15

This was the last FIFA game for the Wii and handheld devices. The Windows version finally used the new Ignite Engine, just like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Thanks to a deal with the English Premier League, all 20 Premier League stadiums were included in the game. The Turkish Süper Lig also returned. However, due to licensing issues with Brazilian players, this was the first main game without a Brazilian league.

FIFA 16

FIFA 16 was the first game in the series to include female athletes and national teams. Some Brazilian teams were included, but their players were fictional due to image rights issues in Brazil.

FIFA 17

FIFA 17 was the first FIFA game to use the Frostbite game engine. It also introduced a story mode called "The Journey." For the first time, the Japanese J1 League was included in the game for the international market.

FIFA 18

FIFA 18 introduced Ultimate Team ICONS on all systems. It also featured the third tier of German football, the national teams of Iceland and Saudi Arabia, and both men's and women's New Zealand teams. The Turkish Super League returned. A new "Quick Subs" feature allowed players to make substitutions quickly. The Cruyff turn was one of four new skills added. A later update added the 2018 FIFA World Cup mode.

FIFA 19

FIFA 19 brought all UEFA club competitions (like the Champions League) into the game. New commentators Derek Rae and Lee Dixon joined for the Champions League matches. The character Alex Hunter returned for the final part of "The Journey" story mode. The game also included the Chinese Super League for the first time. New "kick off" modes like "house rule" and "survival mode" were added.

2020s Games

FIFA 20

A new feature in FIFA 20 called Volta Football brought back street football elements, similar to the old FIFA Street games. You could play 3v3, 4v4, 5v5, and futsal modes. Players could customize their own characters with different clothes and tattoos. The Pro Clubs mode also saw changes. Juventus was not in FIFA 20 because they signed a deal with PES 2020; they were called Piemonte Calcio instead. EA Sports also signed a deal with CONMEBOL to include South American club competitions like the CONMEBOL Libertadores.

FIFA 21

FIFA 22

Wrexham, a non-league team, was included in the "Rest of World" section. This was the first time a non-league team was featured in the series since FIFA 08. A later update allowed players on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Stadia to try out a cross-play feature. The UEFA Europa Conference League was also added.

FIFA 23

FIFA 23 was the last game in the series under the partnership with EA Sports and FIFA. It included World Cup and Women's World Cup modes. It kept popular modes like Ultimate Team and Career, and had licenses for major European leagues, players, clubs, and stadiums. For the first time, playable women's domestic leagues were included, such as the FA Women's Super League in England. Cross-play was supported between different console generations. The game also featured the fictional club AFC Richmond from the TV series Ted Lasso.

The Future of the Game

EA Sports and FIFA could not agree on licensing fees for the FIFA name. So, FIFA 23 was the last game developed by EA Sports with that name. EA Sports will now release football games under the title EA Sports FC, starting in 2023.

FIFA, on the other hand, plans to work with a new developer to make "the only authentic, real game that has the FIFA name" in 2024. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that the "FIFA name is the only global, original title" and that "the constant is the FIFA name and it will remain forever and remain the best." EA Sports FC will still have exclusive partnerships with major leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Serie A, and MLS.

Other Games in the Series

  • FIFA Soccer 64: The first FIFA game on the Nintendo 64 console, released in 1997.
  • FA Premier League Stars series: Two games (2000 and 2001) focused mainly on the Premier League.
  • FIFA Soccer World Championship: Released only in Japan in 2000 for PlayStation 2.
  • UEFA Champions League series: Two games released in 2005 and 2007.
  • FIFA Total Football: Released in Japan in 2004 for PlayStation 2, based on FIFA 2004.
  • FIFA Superstars: A Facebook game released in 2010, similar to "Ultimate Team." It went offline in 2013.
  • FIFA World: A free-to-play online FIFA game released in 2014. It went offline in 2015.

FIFA Online Games

These are free-to-play online FIFA games made especially for the Asian market.

  • FIFA Online
  • FIFA Online 2
  • FIFA Online (western version)
  • FIFA Online 3
  • FIFA Online 4

FIFA World Cup Games

EA Sports has the license from FIFA to publish official FIFA World Cup video games before each tournament.

  • World Cup 98
  • 2002 FIFA World Cup
  • 2006 FIFA World Cup
  • 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa
  • 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
  • 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia (as a game mode in FIFA 18)
  • FIFA 23 (as a game mode)

UEFA European Championship Games

EA also has the license from UEFA to publish official European Championship video games.

  • UEFA Euro 2000
  • UEFA Euro 2004
  • UEFA Euro 2008
  • UEFA Euro 2012 (an expansion pack for FIFA 12)

UEFA Champions League Games

EA got the license for the UEFA Champions League in 2002.

  • UEFA Champions League 2004–2005
  • UEFA Champions League 2006–2007
  • FIFA 19
  • FIFA 20
  • FIFA 21
  • FIFA 22
  • FIFA 23

Street Football Games

The FIFA Street series focuses on fancy tricks and street football style.

  • FIFA Street (2005)
  • FIFA Street 2 (2006)
  • FIFA Street 3 (2008)
  • FIFA Street (2012)

Management Games

Since 1997, EA Sports has released football management games, where you manage a team.

  • FIFA Manager series (including games like FIFA Soccer Manager, Total Club Manager, and FIFA Manager)

FIFA Mobile

FIFA Mobile was the first mobile FIFA game to have new modes like "attack mode" and "live events." It also had seasonal programs to get different player packs. A "campaign" mode was added in 2017, where players face teams from all over the world. You can also improve players by "training" them. The game has Live Events based on real-world football events and mini-games for skills like shooting and dribbling.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: FIFA (serie) para niños

  • Pro Evolution Soccer
  • List of best-selling video game franchises
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