FIFA embraces Web3 with four NFT game releases and Metaverse Replica Stadium – NFTgators

by James · November 9, 2022

Quick take:

The four games allow players to watch AI teams play soccer, buy digital World Cup assets, predict the results of World Cup matches and more.
FIFA has parted ways with Electronic Arts and will continue to develop games with another studio.
A digital replica of the Lusail Stadium in Doha allows users to purchase digital football scarves.

In an extension of its Web3 strategy, FIFA announced today that it will release four NFT games to celebrate this year’s World Cup in Qatar from 20 November.

The first game is AI League: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Edition, developed in collaboration with Altered State Machine. It is a 4v4 random soccer game, played between AI-controlled characters, with player input. At launch, players can predict the real FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches where they can climb the leaderboard and win digital and physical prizes.

Next, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Upland Metaverse is developed by metaverse real estate platform, Upland. Players can “official FIFA World Cup digital assets, including legendary video highlights from the tournament”, and travel to a virtual replica of the World Cup Lusail Stadium and Village to trade digital items such as football scarves.

Another prediction game called Matchday Challenge is also on the list, and is based on football cards. In the end it is FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Phygtla fan engagement mobile app where “fans can extend a golden-globe soccer game from the palm of their hand into the real-world environment,” according to a press release.

This news comes after EA Sports parted ways with soccer’s governing body after 30 years when FIFA demanded $1 billion in licensing fees. FIFA President Gianni Infantino published a statement in May saying that more games bearing the FIFA name would be coming and that soccer’s governing body would continue to develop games with third-party studios and publishers.

“I can assure you that the only authentic, real game bearing the FIFA name will be the best available for players and football fans,” Infantino wrote. “The FIFA name is the only global, original title. FIFA 23, FIFA 24, FIFA 25 and FIFA 26, and so on – the constant is the FIFA name and it will remain forever and remain THE BEST.”

Next year, EA will rebrand its FIFA series as EA Sports FC, claiming it will begin “a new era in July 2023”.

According to FIFA, discussions were ongoing with “leading game publishers, media companies and investors” in the development of a new FIFA simulation soccer game for 2024 to compete with EA Sports FC.

In July, FIFA archived a Web3 trademark application for FIFA 2026, covering virtual goods and services such as digital currency and virtual clothing.

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