EA Sports Wipes Out FIFA Games from Digital Stores: What Does This Mean for Gamers?

In what appears to be a sweeping digital purge, EA Sports has mysteriously removed its entire collection of FIFA games from online stores. This unexpected move was first noticed by a sharp-eyed Twitter user, MauroNL, who revealed that all FIFA titles up to and including FIFA 23 have been delisted from popular online platforms like the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Nintendo eShop, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. The company's official website still directs users to these now-nonexistent product pages, raising speculations about what this could mean for the future of the FIFA series.

Details about when the games were removed remain murky, as EA Sports has yet to provide an official statement. However, a quick look at the Steam page reveals a cryptic message, "At the request of the publisher, EA SPORTS FIFA 23 is unlisted on the Steam store and will not appear in search.” Data from SteamDB indicates that the game was removed on September 21, 2023, a day prior to EA launching its new football series' first game, EA Sports FC. This timeline could suggest a strategic shift in the company's marketing approach.

For ardent FIFA fans who are worried about missing out on their favourite football action, there's a silver lining. FIFA 23, while not purchasable on digital platforms, remains accessible for EA Play members. This move could be part of a broader strategy to push users towards EA's subscription-based service, a trend increasingly adopted by major gaming companies. However, this is pure speculation until further confirmation from EA Sports.

EA Sports announced in May last year that it was severing ties with FIFA after a nearly three-decade-long collaboration. The company expressed plans to launch a new football series, starting with EA Sports FC 24. The game went on early access from September 22 for customers who purchased the Ultimate Edition, with a general sale scheduled for September 29. With the launch of this new series, perhaps the company is looking to direct all attention to their latest venture, hence the digital wipeout of the FIFA series.

In conclusion, while the delisting of FIFA games has sparked intrigue and speculation, the lack of official communication from EA Sports leaves gamers and industry experts in the dark. Whether this move is a strategic shift towards their new football series or an attempt to promote EA Play, only time will tell. Meanwhile, the gaming community keenly awaits the general release of EA Sports FC 24, hoping it will live up to the legacy of its illustrious predecessor, the FIFA series.