EA delists FIFA titles from all digital storefronts except EA Play – PlayerAuctions Blog

In a surprising turn of events, Electronic Arts (EA) has made the decision to end its nearly three-decade collaboration with FIFA, signifying the end of a remarkable era for one of the gaming industry’s most renowned partnerships. This announcement has caused shockwaves throughout digital marketplaces as EA has removed its FIFA titles from major platforms, including the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Nintendo eShop, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.

EA’s annual football game, now called EA FC, no longer sports the FIFA name in its title. All prior entries in the series have been delisted from all major storefronts.
Every FIFA title from 14 up to 23 can’t be purchased anymore. FIFA 22 & 23 can still be played via EA Play. pic.twitter.com/VupU3Off44
— MauroNL (@MauroNL3) September 26, 2023

This termination of the partnership and the subsequent removal of the FIFA series comes at a crucial juncture for EA. The gaming behemoth is transitioning to its newly branded football series, now known as “EA FC”. The inaugural title under this new name, EA Sports FC 24, is set to be released for general sale on September 29, with early access having been granted since September 22 for those who purchased the Ultimate Edition.

Although the official FIFA 23 webpage on EA’s website still directs users to now-defunct links, the game remains accessible for EA Play members. Nevertheless, this move has left a myriad of gamers puzzled, as they seek clarification regarding the sudden removal of this beloved series.

According to a statement on the game’s Steam page, “At the request of the publisher, EA SPORTS FIFA 23 is unlisted on the Steam store and will not appear in search.” SteamDB has further revealed that the game was removed from the Steam store on September 21, 2023, just one day prior to the launch of EA’s successor to the FIFA series.

As the highly anticipated launch of EA Sports FC 24 approaches, early reviews from outlets like VGC indicate a mixture of sentiments. The transition away from the FIFA license appears to have resulted in some aspects of the game feeling like an afterthought, despite the continued appreciation for popular modes such as Ultimate Team.

The reasons behind EA’s choice to conclude its longstanding partnership with FIFA and the strategy for their new football series continue to be subjects of intense speculation and interest. As the gaming world eagerly awaits the official release of EA Sports FC 24, questions persist regarding the future direction of EA’s football gaming franchise and the legacy of its collaboration with FIFA.