Electronic Arts Inc.’s FIFA has sat atop the video game world for so long that soccer stars like Lionel Messi and Neymar were young children when it first rose to prominence.
For more than two decades since its inaugural edition in 1993, FIFA has arguably become the most popular sports video game franchise in history. And now, it’s going mobile.
Electronic Arts announced that FIFA Mobile from EA Sports is now available worldwide. It is a free download on the App Store, Google Play and Windows 10 Store.
The new mobile game features an “attack mode,” which is centered around goal scoring. Players will attempt to convert on as many attacking opportunities as possible. They will then “pass” to their opponent to do the same. The game also introduces Leagues, where players can team up with friends or join an existing league of up to 32 players from around to world to compete with.
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The game is controlled through an on-screen joystick, and there are buttons for passing, running and shooting.
FIFA has built its reputation on realism, paying attention to details like goal celebrations, fan chants and life-like stadiums. The mobile version offers a slice of the full experience for users who are on the go who need a fix when they’re not playing the full game on Xbox or PlayStation.
FIFA’s staying power has created an interesting dynamic: world class players who grew up playing the video game continue to do so, even playing as their virtual selves. The New York Times reported that professional stars like Ronaldinho would try to master their virtual moves in real life while other players publicly obsessed over their ratings in the game. The boundaries between art and life have disappeared.
The game is also an effective recruiting tool. The player likenesses, team strategies and technical details have developed to the point where they can help instruct younger players about the game. Play FIFA for long enough and it’s hard not to obsess over the sport which is why the New York Times called FIFA a “gateway drug.”
For FIFA Mobile, Electronic Arts calls it “brand new experience” with regular updates and features unique to the new app that separate it from the video game and previous apps.