Key Highlights:
- Konami and FIFA sign esports collaboration agreement.
- eFootball to be used for FIFAe World Cup on console and mobile.
- 18 nations invited to participate in inaugural tournament.
In a shocking turn of events, longtime rivals Konami and FIFA have announced a collaborative agreement to advance esports, marking a significant shift in the football video game landscape. This partnership comes in the wake of EA Sports‘ split from FIFA, ending their long-running series of football games.
The collaboration will see Konami’s flagship football game eFootball used as the competition title for the FIFAe World Cup, scheduled to take place later this year on both console and mobile platforms.
This is the first time that Konami’s football title will feature in such a high-profile esports event, breaking EA Sports’ near-monopoly on official FIFA gaming tournaments.
The move represents a notable departure from previous years when EA Sports’ FIFA games were the cornerstone of the tournament.
Koji Kobayashi, Senior Executive Officer at Konami Digital Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating:
“We are very pleased to be able to contribute to the promotion of eFootball in a new dimension through this collaboration with FIFAe.”
Romy Gai, Chief Business Officer at FIFA, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the alignment with FIFA’s mission to promote football globally and provide a platform for players to showcase their skills.
The FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball is set to begin qualifying rounds on October 10th. In its inaugural year, 18 nations have been invited to participate in the final events, with separate competitions for console and mobile, each crowning a FIFAe World Champion.
The selection of nations was based on factors such as player base and previous performances of competitors from respective countries.
This collaboration has garnered support from various national football associations. Miyamoto Tsuneyasu, President of the Japan Football Association, highlighted the importance of eFootball in Japan and committed to supporting their national team players.
Similar enthusiasm was expressed by representatives from the Argentine, French, and Turkish football associations, all emphasising the significance of the tournament for their respective countries.
It’s important to note that this agreement does not involve Konami taking on the FIFA video game series or rebranding eFootball to FIFA. However, it does represent a significant shift in the relationship between video game makers and football governing bodies.
The development comes amidst ongoing speculation about the future of FIFA-branded video games.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced in May that a new football simulation game is being developed., stating:
“We will develop a new e-game, because the football simulation game is called FIFA.”
Electronic Arts have rebranded their FIFA titles to EA FC last year. The entries remain much the same, with a new logo and name change.
As this new chapter in football esports unfolds, the gaming community and football fans alike will be watching closely to see how this collaboration shapes the future of virtual football competitions.
With Konami’s eFootball now taking centre stage in the FIFAe World Cup, the landscape of football gaming continues to evolve in unexpected and exciting ways.
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Stephen is the proud owner of a popular gaming news website GLN, where he provides the latest updates on everything gaming-related. With a passion for video games that dates back to his childhood, Stephen is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with fellow gamers around the world.