Introduction
Just days before the launch of EA Sports FC 24, the first game in Electronic Arts’ post-FIFA era, FIFA 23 from the previous year, along with all other games in the FIFA series, has been taken down from sale on platforms like Steam, Epic, and other digital storefronts. This move has sparked speculation and curiosity regarding the reasons behind the removal.
EA Sports FC 24, the upcoming game from Electronic Arts (EA) following the conclusion of the FIFA series, is set to make its debut soon. However, in the lead-up to its release on September 29, last year’s FIFA 23 and all other games in the FIFA franchise have been delisted from sale on platforms such as Steam, Epic, and other digital storefronts.
In 2022, EA decided to end the development of the FIFA series after negotiations with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) fell through. Unsurprisingly, the issue revolved around finances, with FIFA demanding more money and EA unwilling to meet those demands. As a result, EA rebranded the game as EA Sports FC, offering the same gameplay experience without the costly FIFA title.
However, industry analyst MauroNL (via Kotaku) recently noticed that all FIFA games, ranging from FIFA 14 to FIFA 23, had been removed from sale. His observation is accurate, as a search on Steam no longer displays any FIFA games, and although the FIFA 23 store page is still accessible, the option to purchase the game is unavailable.
The situation is similar on the Epic Games Store, where the FIFA page remains active in search results but cannot be purchased. This also applies to console versions, with the game’s store pages still visible on xbox.com and the PlayStation Store but unavailable for purchase.
EA’s annual football game, now known as EA FC, no longer features the FIFA name in its title. As a result, FIFA titles from FIFA 14 to FIFA 23 are no longer available for purchase, although FIFA 22 and 23 can still be played through EA Play subscriptions.
EA has not yet commented on the removal of these games. Despite initial impressions, it does not appear to be a mass removal. FIFA is an immensely successful annualized franchise, and as noted by Ars Technica, older games in the series have been delisted periodically following the release of newer editions.
For instance, SteamDB indicates that FIFA 22 was “retired” from Steam in May 2023, while FIFA 21 was removed in June 2022. However, what sets the removal of FIFA 23 apart is the timing. Previous games in the series were delisted several months after the release of their successors, whereas FIFA 23 has disappeared even before the release of EA Sports FC 24. (Players who preordered the Ultimate Edition of the game could start playing on September 22.)
At this point, it is unknown whether EA removed FIFA 23 to avoid cannibalizing the sales of EA Sports FC 24 or if it was compelled to do so due to the terms of the expired licensing deal with FIFA. Nonetheless, there is still one way to access the newer games in the series: FIFA 22 and 23 remain available through EA Play subscriptions.
Conclusion
As EA Sports FC 24 is on the verge of release, FIFA 23 has been removed from major platforms, leading to speculation about the reasons behind this delisting. The move has garnered attention from both players and industry insiders, considering that FIFA is an incredibly successful game series, and even its previous installment, FIFA 22, was recently removed from Steam. While EA has not provided any official comments on the removal, some speculate that FIFA 23’s delisting may have been done to avoid impacting the sales of the upcoming EA Sports FC 24. Another possibility is that it was a result of the expired licensing agreement with FIFA. Nevertheless, players still have an option to experience the new games in the series by subscribing to EA Play. Although the removal of FIFA 23 may disappoint some players, it is not an unexpected move, as older FIFA games have typically been delisted after the release of newer versions. Players eagerly anticipate the launch of EA Sports FC 24 and hope it will continue the tradition of excellence set by the FIFA series, offering a fresh football experience.
In light of the removal of FIFA 23 and the anticipation surrounding the release of EA Sports FC 24, players may be wondering about the availability of in-game currency, such as EA FC 24 coins, for the upcoming game. While information about the specific availability of EA FC 24 coins is limited, players can explore alternative options to acquire in-game currency.
One such option is BuyMMOG, a third-party platform known for providing virtual currency and items for various games, including the EA Sports FC series. Players can visit BuyMMOG or similar websites to browse and potentially purchase EA FC 24 coins, which can enhance their gaming experience by unlocking player upgrades, customization options, and other in-game advantages.