FIFA Infinity The Absolute FIFA Site
FIFA World was a unique chapter in the storied history of football simulation games developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports. As a free-to-play massively multiplayer online football game, it was an ambitious project that aimed to bring the thrill and excitement of the FIFA franchise to a broader audience.
Although it enjoyed a brief existence from its announcement in August 2013 until its closure in July 2015, FIFA World left an indelible mark on the gaming community.
The Birth of FIFA World
FIFA World was officially announced on August 9, 2013, as a game designed to be accessible to everyone. It was a strategic move by EA Sports to capture the growing market of free-to-play games on PC and expand the FIFA franchise beyond the traditional console audience. The game initially launched in an open beta on November 12, 2013, in Brazil and Russia, with a global open beta following on May 20, 2014.
This global beta supported multiple languages, including English, German, French, Russian, Spanish, Mexican Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, and Turkish. Italian was added later with another game update.
Gameplay and Features
FIFA World offered a variety of gameplay options and modes that mirrored the core FIFA series while incorporating unique features tailored for the free-to-play model. Players could engage in both single-player and multiplayer modes using traditional keyboard controls, gamepads, or a combination of keyboard and mouse.
One of the engaging aspects of FIFA World was its ability to immerse players in the excitement of real-world football events, allowing them to even bet on FIFA football games through various in-game activities and challenges.
Ultimate Team
One of the standout features of FIFA World was its Ultimate Team mode. Players could build their unique squads using players acquired from the live transfer market or packs. These packs could be obtained using coins earned in matches or through “FIFA Points,” the in-game currency.
The Ultimate Team mode allowed for significant customization, enabling players to adjust their club’s badges, kits, match balls, and stadiums. Weekly “Team of the Week” updates, based on real-life player performances, kept the mode dynamic and engaging.
Furthermore, you could create squads featuring multiple generations of a player as you keep your players while the game advances from season to season.
League Teams
In the League Teams mode, players could select any licensed club or national team to compete in a structured promotion and relegation system, progressing from Division 10 to Division 1.
This mode included more than 12,000 real players, over 600 real clubs and 33 leagues, with a notable exception of the Brazilian league, which was removed in September 2014 due to licensing issues. However, the Turkish Süper Lig and its 18 clubs were introduced, adding more depth to the game’s roster.
Accomplishments
FIFA World’s unique “Accomplishments” feature challenged players to complete tasks based on real-life football events, offering rewards for gameplay, transfer market activities, and more.
For example, if Lionel Messi scored a header in a weekend match, players might be tasked with doing the same in-game to earn rewards. With weekly updates, there was always a new challenge to keep the experience fresh and engaging.
EAS FC Social Hub
The EAS FC Social Hub allowed players to capture and share spectacular goals and memorable moments on the pitch, instantly posting them to the in-game social feed. This feature enabled players to keep up with friends’ activities, discuss the latest results, and engage with the community by debating and celebrating highlights together.
Regular Updates and Improvements
FIFA World was not static; it evolved significantly during its lifespan. Major updates included the introduction of new gameplay features from previous FIFA titles, such as Attacking Intelligence, Complete Dribbling, First Touch Controls, and Tactical Free Kicks. Version 9.0, released on November 5, 2014, integrated an improved version of the Impact engine from FIFA 12, adding over 2,000 new animations and other enhancements to gameplay.
EA Sports also kept the game fresh with new content inspired by real-world football events. This included featured tournaments, limited-time accomplishments, and special player versions, ensuring there was always something new for players to experience.
Closure and Legacy
Despite its innovative approach and initial popularity, FIFA World struggled to maintain the momentum needed for a full commercial launch. On April 15, 2015, EA announced that FIFA World, along with other free-to-play titles like Battlefield Heroes, Battlefield Play4Free, and Need for Speed: World, would be shutting down on July 14, 2015. The game ultimately closed on this date, marking the end of its journey.
The Post-FIFA World Era
Since the closure of FIFA World, much has changed in the landscape of football gaming. Notably, EA and FIFA ended their long-standing partnership, leading to the rebranding of the popular series as EA Sports FC. This split opened the door for other developers, such as 2K Games, to potentially collaborate with FIFA on future football games.
The concept of FIFA World, with its free-to-play model and live-service platform, may not be entirely lost to history. There’s a possibility that elements of this format could be revived and integrated into the new EA Sports FC series.
Given the evolving nature of gaming and the success of live-service models, it wouldn’t be surprising to see similar approaches being explored in future iterations of football simulation games.
FIFA World was a bold experiment by EA Sports, offering an accessible and engaging football simulation experience to a global audience. While it ultimately had a short life span, its influence and the lessons learned from it continue to shape the future of football gaming.
