Home / EA Sports FC / Can EA Sports FC Match the Sales Success of Its Predecessors?

Can EA Sports FC Match the Sales Success of Its Predecessors?

For years, EA released football games under the FIFA brand, becoming a mainstay in both gaming and sports culture. But with the FIFA license gone, the series has officially entered new territory. Now on its second release under the new name, the question isn’t just what’s changed, it’s how well is EA adapting?

A Name Without FIFA

The rebrand kicked off with EA SPORTS FC 24, following the end of EA’s long-running partnership with FIFA. Understandably, some fans were confused by the new title. Even though FC 24 saw strong player numbers at launch, physical sales were down compared to FIFA 23, and many pointed to the unfamiliar name as one possible reason.

Still, EA seemed to expect that drop. With FIFA 23 being one of the best-selling entries in the franchise, following it up without the iconic branding was always going to be a challenge.

Now with FC 25, the second game in the rebranded series, EA is trying to show that the new identity can stand on its own. But early signs suggest the transition hasn’t been entirely smooth.

Mixed Reactions Continue

Despite introducing new features like FC IQ and tweaks to Career Mode, FC 25 hasn’t escaped criticism. Many fans say the gameplay feels too similar to last year, and review scores reflect that. From in-game physics to goal-scoring mechanics, plenty of players have voiced frustration about the lack of noticeable improvement.

Some of this is par for the course with annual sports titles, but with EA Sports promising a “new era” under the FC name, expectations were higher.

On social media, the FC 25 reception has been all over the place. Some players appreciate the new animations and Career Mode additions, while others joke that it’s just “FIFA 23.3” with fresh packaging. The most common complaint? That EA hasn’t really listened to the community on issues like overpowered mechanics and matchmaking in Ultimate Team.

Despite all the criticism, Ultimate Team is still the backbone of the franchise. EA continues to push out regular promos like Trailblazers and Road to the Knockouts, keeping players logging in. But it also fuels the same debates about pay-to-win mechanics and fairness, especially as top players become harder to access without heavy grinding or spending.

One Bright Spot: Switch Players

Interestingly, the rebrand has been more positive for Nintendo Switch players. After years of getting scaled-back Legacy Editions under the FIFA name, Switch users finally received a proper Frostbite-powered experience starting with FC 24. That trend continues in FC 25, and it’s resulted in better reviews and stronger sales on Nintendo’s platform compared to past FIFA titles.

It shows that when the changes are meaningful, players do respond well, something EA may want to keep in mind going forward.

What’s Next for the Series?

With rumors of a potential new FIFA-branded game still floating around (without EA’s involvement), EA needs to keep pushing forward with FC. The current momentum suggests the franchise is still in a transitional phase, trying to find its rhythm post-FIFA.

EA has remained confident about the FC rebrand, framing it as a long-term move to give the series more creative freedom. Company leadership has stated that FC will evolve beyond just yearly releases, with a bigger focus on live content, esports with FC Pro, and deeper customization for players across all modes. Whether these promises translate into meaningful upgrades, though, is still up for debate.

Meanwhile, fans looking for football-related entertainment beyond the usual console games have options like virtual football experiences on betting sites such as Premier Bet Malawi, where football meets casino-style betting. It’s a different kind of thrill, but it reflects the wider appetite for football in digital spaces.

The FC series isn’t failing, but it hasn’t quite hit its stride either. While name recognition issues may have faded, gameplay concerns haven’t. If EA really wants to make FC 26 feel like a true step forward, players will be expecting more than just small tweaks and roster updates.

The good news? There’s still a solid player base and a loyal fan community. The challenge now is proving that EA SPORTS FC isn’t just a rebranded FIFA, it’s a better one.

About Duncan Simpson

Avatar photo
A random American that loves to play FIFA and occasionally write a few words about the series.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments