How will soccer gaming look following the breakdown in the FIFA and EA Sports relationship

For over two decades, FIFA and EA Sports have dominated the soccer esports market, with many other sports and game creators following the innovations made by the FIFA, EA Sports collaboration.

Key to the success of FIFA as a game, was the combination of expert game play provided by EA Sports, along with the official licensing and financial backing from FIFA, which propelled the game to dizzying heights within the gaming sector.

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Of course, competition came and went, with the likes of Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer often compared to FIFA in some respects but as a game, FIFA has long been seen as the only soccer game amongst esports experts.

The news that EA Sports and FIFA are set to go their separate ways from FIFA 24 onwards was groundbreaking, with both institutions seemingly hoping that going it alone will enable them to have more autonomy over their game output.

However, there are plenty of skeptics within the industry, as after all, what is a good game without the official teams and players, and by contrast, is a fully licensed game good, if it doesn't have the graphical innovation?

The acrimonious split however, only served to ultimately remind fans of just how influential FIFA is on the modern game and how much it has moved the goalposts, in the sports gaming world.

FIFA 23 was released in September 2022 and once again, both EA Sports and FIFA look to have encapsulated the hearts and minds of football gaming fans the world over.

One of the key innovations for FIFA 2023 is the huge level of inclusivity being shown within the game, marking a real development in New York sports gaming.

All major women's football leagues across the world are available through a range of gameplay modes in FIFA 23 and Australia and Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr is the flagship player on the front cover.

The female game has risen to prominence more than ever before in recent seasons and once again, EA Sports and FIFA have shown that they have their fingers on the pulse by riding the crest of the wave of popularity within the game.

In addition to the inclusivity and progression being shown by EA Sports and FIFA in 2023, the usual graphic upgrades are available to players, making the sense of realism in the game more heightened than ever before.

With FIFA and EA Sports opting to go their separate ways after this release, there was trepidation in some quarters as to whether FIFA 23 would hit the mark.

This last collaboration between the two giants of the sports gaming industry however, does pose a period of unpredictability in the soccer gaming sphere.