FIFA 23 developer says EA Sports FC won’t ‘redefine the game’

FIFA 23 is now available to Ultimate Edition players, and it is the last time that EA Sports will be developing a football game under the name.

Starting from next year, the same group of developers that produce FIFA will be working under the new title, EA Sports FC.

While the licensing deal is over, EA Sports claims that not much will change between the two series.

We spoke with lead gameplay producer for FIFA 23, Sam Kovalev, about what the differences will be next year.

In terms of affection for the game, he claims the team is as excited to work on a new IP as it was to work under the FIFA brand.

He says: “I’m super excited about FIFA 23 because it’s the most expansive FIFA game ever developed by us.

“I can just guarantee that, as the development team, we’ll put the same passion, and our hearts, into EA Sports FC.”

When asked about what changes or new additions would be introduced in the upcoming series, Kovalev was more reserved.

It seems that despite the big change in name, the game will continue to build off the FIFA games.

He claims: “I can tell that every year starts with lots of creative ideas, and we have a very talented team that always strives to come up with the best next steps to further enhance the gameplay and game modes.

“I know that each year we come up with additional things on the gameplay side, but we’re not redefining the game.”

From what he describes, the new game will be built on the back of the established games, with the year-on-year upgrades we’re accustomed to.

Kovalev explains: “I feel we have a very solid foundation year on year. 

“And each year, even the features this year, they don’t destroy the foundation and something we built in the past – they further enhance it or give you additional tools.

“It doesn’t mean that we need to change anything from our foundation – I think our foundation is strong. 

“The amount of players who enjoy the game year on year, I think it’s a strong indicator towards that.”

He gives the example of how the team added in the new power shot this year, while leaving in all the old ways of scoring.

With FIFA and EA Sports parting ways, the football association claims it will continue the FIFA series with a new development team.

Kovalev doesn’t seem worried about the competition. He believes it’s the game that people buy FIFA for, not the name.

He says: “I’m always confident about our future, because it’s all about the team, the passionate hearts we have in our team. 

“Each feature has a trio of engineers, animators, and designers that work together, and that kind of brings different perspectives on the technical side, on the visual side, on the design side.