Topic: FIFA 22

EA announced FIFA 22 today and tucked away in a press release, a legacy edition for Nintendo Switch has been confirmed. Why does EA even bother? The Frostbite engine was optimised for the console with Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville and the negative press surrounding EA’s pathetic support of the Switch’s install base with legacy editions means that EA are effectively limiting their potential sales themselves. Instead they continue to use the ancient Ignite engine from the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions from a few years ago with janky animations and vastly inferior gameplay and features.

So why can’t they try to develop a full version of FIFA with the Frostbite engine and all the modes, content and features of the PS4 and Xbox One games just once, advertise that it is a proper FIFA with no cut content that can be played portably and see if it sells. If that failed, then fair enough. But the legacy edition tactic with no new gameplay or graphical additions beyond roster updates is an insult and I’d rather see the franchise skip Switch altogether.

2K may not be the most respected developer in the industry, but they continue to release Switch versions with every single mode, feature and addition that the PS4 and Xbox One versions get, as well as shockingly similar graphics, just with a halved framerate, so it’s more difficult to say that the Switch can’t handle realistic simulations like this. If EA made an effort, I’m sure they would see a great financial return with effective marketing and promotion, but this is just pathetic.

Why even bother releasing this legendary edition every year? Who's actually buying it, because I have some questions for these people.

did someone say reskin

@FragRed I don’t even know. Maybe those eShop sales around this time of year where the current version is on sale for bargain prices because I can’t understand why anyone would want this.

@TheFrenchiestFry EA definitely did…

@DomGC @NintendoWiiDS I doubt its just sales of the game that EA look at when considering to support the platform. It's how much is being generated through that gambling system they push harder and harder each year.

@FragRed That’s true as Ultimate Team is basically their cash cow that generates millions every year across their sports games. But when the Ultimate Team modes, features and updates are stripped back beyond belief and some are removed altogether, then no one plays the game online and as a result EA make significantly lesser profits from Switch’s Ultimate Team than elsewhere because no one wants to play these legacy editions that feel ancient and content sparse.

@NintendoWiiDS True, but there must still be enough of that money coming in regardless of how stripped back it is. I mean, they're even sticking this thing on Stadia - granted it is the full game, but still, a tiny install base like that getting this game says there is more to the whole thing than just copies sold.

PC Users are not happy as well as Stadia gets the next gen version while the PC Version is last gen.

Honestly I just want to see how stupidly big the file size is

@DomGC To be honest I was just assuming it was because that’s EA’s bread and butter when it comes to making money. Even in a watered down version, I assumed they’d still want to empty the bank accounts of little Jimmy’s parents for that ultra rare player.

@FragRed You’re probably right, why else would they continue with these legacy edition releases if they weren’t making enough sales? I’m just amazed that such a dated and janky looking game with no additions and content stripped out releases every year on Switch.

@DomGC It is but the most popular game modes that were introduced as long as 4 years ago aren’t included, as well as some content drops being advertised in the Switch’s news app, when it’s only on the other platforms and they made a mistake; it seems like a shadow of the mode on other platforms and even on other consoles it’s manipulative and scummy as is, but engages players.

@mike3 How does that even work? By install bases, Stadia should receive much less attention than Switch: I don’t know a single person who has Google Stadia.

@1ofus I think the last legacy edition’s file size was around 10GB.

@NintendoWiiDS fifa forces ea to release fifa on every platform as part as their exclusive deal. The same way mlb forced Sony to put the show on Xbox.

@NintendoWiiDS I am thinking google must have paid an amount to get the next gen features which is called hypermotion

@sixrings But surely that can’t be used to defend such a poor product from a critical perspective. I think the exclusivity deal does require them to release the game on Switch so you’re totally correct there and EA can theoretically do as they please in terms of business practices and increasing revenue streams. These legacy editions however truly do prove the notion of many that sports simulations are the same product every year with updated rosters and nothing more of note. At least most other sports games on Switch and elsewhere are visually appealing and have so much more effort invested into them by developers.

@mike3 I wouldn’t be surprised about that, as Google are probably trying to get as many popular titles as possible to salvage what they can from Stadia as a platform.

I just don’t see the big deal. They are selling a Xbox 360 1080p 60fps up to date roster wise port for less than full retail prices. If you don’t want it don’t buy it. But I find this less ridiculous than Nintendo charging full price for a wii port while the competition sells compilations for the same price.