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| Just Illustration |
Flashspoter - Back after a long partnership with EA, FIFA is returning to the simulation football game genre. Instead of collaborating with EA, FIFA has partnered with Netflix as the exclusive distributor of its new game, the release of which is scheduled for 2026 to align with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The game was developed and published by Delphi Interactive, and Netflix subscribers will get the Netflix Games service at no extra cost with the game.
The move marks FIFA's most serious attempt to bring back a football simulation game since parting ways with EA in 2022. EA and FIFA have been partners to produce the most popular soccer game series of the match for almost 30 years. After the end of the partnership, EA continued its football franchise under the name EA Sports FC, while FIFA had announced plans to present a large simulation game with a new partner. But until now, these plans have not been realized in the form of a game that really rivals EA FC.
Last couple of years, FIFA have brought back and supported arcade-style in football games. Examples of such designed casual games to make it easy and fun for everyone to play were FIFA Rivals by Mythical Games and FIFA Heroes by ENVER. The new FIFA announcement on Netflix shows the gameplay style of FIFA still be the same, but the brand is officially FIFA. They are simulation games that are completely different experiences compared to traditional FIFA games.
Netflix has given us a pretty clear picture that the game is supposed to be so easy that basically everyone can play it without having to master complicated controls or have a very high level of gaming experience. One feature of the game is the use of mobile phones as the controller, so the players actually control the game through their mobile devices which could be connected to TV screens or other devices that support Netflix Games. This way of working certainly restricts the depth of the game mechanics but at the same time, it drastically expands the target audience.
Moreover, this is a perfect match to Netflix's 2025 gaming sector strategy changes which resulted in Netflix moving away from large scale game projects and in-house studios investment that was short-lived after the spend on it. A number of complex game projects were canceled or diverted, while the company's focus is now on party games, family games and cross-device easy-to-play adaptations. The integration of mobile phones as controllers is becoming an important element in the strategy as it lowers the barriers to entry for non-gamer users.
For Delphi Interactive, this project became their second big game as a standalone studio. Previously, the team was involved in the development of 007 First Light with IO Interactive. Delphi Interactive's involvement shows that Netflix still relies on experienced developers, even though the design direction of the game is more casual than traditional football simulations.
The Netflix version of FIFA will also support solo and online modes, signalling a competitive and social element albeit at a more modest scale. There are no details yet on the licensing of clubs, leagues or players, but FIFA's direct involvement opens up the possibility of using the official identity of the tournament, especially in relation to the 2026 World Cup.
Beyond Game Development, Netflix's relationship with the world of football continues to be strengthened. The streaming Platform has secured exclusive broadcast rights in the United States for the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women's World Cups. In addition, Netflix also has a fairly extensive catalog of football documentaries, covering stories of players, clubs and major tournaments. Thanks to the FIFA game, the Netflix ecosystem includes fans not only as spectators but also as players, thereby broadening the company's approach to football fans.
Officially the game launch is same time with World Cup 2026. Instead, the game is more a worldwide festival of soccer than a competitor to EA FC. It is evident from the concentration on simplicity, mobile gadgets, and shared experiences that FIFA and Netflix are appealing to the mass market and not the hardcore simulation segment. Nevertheless, this collaboration remains an important step in FIFA's new journey in the gaming industry after the EA era has ended.
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