Earlier this year, FIFA and Electronic Arts (EA) announced that after 30 years their partnership would be coming to an end in 2023. EA has already stated their plans moving forward (EA Sports FC), leaving the international governing body of soccer to plan their next move. That move? Not one, not two, but four new Web3-based blockchain games.
The first title, AI League: FIFA World Cup Qatar Edition, is a four-on-four “casual football game” where the AI controls all in-game players. Human interaction comes in the form of “fun and tactical moments.” The game will be based on the “streets of the Metaverse.”
The second is titled FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in the Upland Metaverse. According to FIFA’s press release, “Upland is the largest blockchain-based metaverse mapped to the real world, where players can buy and sell virtual properties.” Users will be able to collect official FIFA World Cup digital assets from the 2022 World Cup. When users are in Upland, they will be able to travel to a replica of the FIFA World Cup Lusail Stadium and Village. While in the village, users can purchase items to represent their country.
If those two gaming integrations didn’t tickle your fancy, have no fear, FIFA is here with their third title, Matchday Challenge: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Edition. The virtual card-based game aims to “target the emotional high of football fandom through a highly engaging casual social prediction game based on football cards, where the essence of the fun is derived not just from ‘getting it right’ but by being the best among your friends.”
Last, but maybe least, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Phygtl. Phygtl is a fan engagement mobile application that is aiming to bring World Cup fandom into a “new dimension.” Users will team up to co-create the first fan-generated digital rewards. Users will be able to “augment a golden-globe-football from the palm of their hands into their real-life environment, own a limited fragment of it to attach and eternalize their handpicked FIFA World Cup pictures and video moments. A digital representation of eternal fandom.”
Most people are not surprised that FIFA couldn’t create a game to compete with EA Sports FC this quickly, but it may be safe to say people did not see FIFA jumping into the Web3 + blockchain “gaming” space. But it is FIFA and if there is one thing soccer/football fans know, it’s that FIFA is prone to turning a blind eye to controversy in favor of potential profits.
Players will have the opportunity to interact with all four in the coming weeks as the 2022 World Cup inches closer and closer to its kickoff on November 21st
Image from: FIFA
