The Nintendo Switch has got off to a great start so far, with a growing install base, quality first party games and solid indie support on the eShop. Nevertheless the third-party retail line-up has been rather thin; while SEGA's Puyo Puyo Tetris and Capcom's Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers are both solid games, they do serve to illustrate how third parties aren't yet throwing their full weight behind Nintendo's portable powerhouse.
Of course Ubisoft will likely find success with Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, which releases later this month (more due to Mario rather than the Rabbids we suspect!), but aside from this there are few options in stores so far aside from some neat Indie efforts.
Plenty of eyes will be on EA as it releases FIFA 18 on the Switch on 29th September. It will be interesting to see if there is a audience for it with Nintendo Switch fans; we'd like to hope so due to the console's portability, in particular.
EA Worldwide Studios' executive vice president Patrick Söderlund recently did an interview in EDGE magazine, where he discussed how the success (or lack thereof) of FIFA 18 on the Switch could determine EA's support for the console moving forward. Here's what he had to say:
I’ve made people repeatedly, publicly aware that I’m a gigantic Nintendo fanboy. Nintendo was what got me into this industry in the first place. I take my Switch with me everywhere. What I will say is, we will appear on any platform where there are consumers, and players. We believe that we want to be a part of the Switch, and help Nintendo grow that installed base; that’s why you’ll see FIFA, which by the way is really good this year. It’s a full-fledged FIFA game, for the first time to be honest, on a portable device. But at the same time we have to look at it from a resource standpoint and, at some point, the numbers become a factor. So for us it’s about supporting the platform, building technology for the platform, testing it out with big things like FIFA – and maybe a couple of others, we’ll see – and if they go well, I see no reason why we shouldn’t have as much of our portfolio on that platform as possible. I hope we get there, that would be my personal ambition.
Of course we've heard similar lines from other third parties already, but at least EA is throwing its full weight behind this fully-fledged Switch version.
Let us know what you think of Söderlund's comments with a comment below.
[source nintendo-insider.com]
Comments 139
Ive preordered it on Switch,. A real good portable FIFA game. Been waiting months for this
Will believe when I see it. But FIFA is looking good. Please continue.
Typical EA.
So for EA it's all going to come down to how well, what is essentially a niche market, does. Here in the U.S. anyways.
Very good interview to make switch owners to buy the game.
Well he got me there. I will buy 3 copy.
erm, something happened with the comments? Everyone's comment shows up multiple times.
edit: fixed already I see
That's ok if you like football. I have no interest in football so I'll be one of those gamers that will let FIFA pass.
And then they will do what Capcom did and release a series of tester games
" testing it out with big things like FIFA – and maybe a couple of others, we’ll see "
This is the key part,it isn't going to come down to solely FIFA.These "couple of others" are obviously already planned,we just don't know about them yet.
I'd rather have dead space or mass effect trilogy as awesome budget portable collections than a soccer game. Hopefully people into it will buy this in droves though and EA will bring more appealing properties over
Wait a second he says:
"It’s a full-fledged FIFA game"
I thought it was missing some features, so already he lies....
FIFA may do good, because of portability on best portable hardware ever.
'testing it out with big things like FIFA – and maybe a couple of others,'
Hopefully this means they've got a couple of other games in the works for the Switch. I'd hate for them to release a sports game as their only market test, as I for one certainly won't be buying a football game.
Now, give us some Dead Space or Mass Effect or something, that'd be good.
I have never bought a Fifa game on my Xbox/PS4! I am tempted for the Switch though due to portability even if it has slightly less content. The content it won't have doesn't really bother me! Playing FIFA whilst standing in a queue at EGX would be awesome!!
@BLP_Software Test the waters, to then test them again. As if "People want other games, are to show support with this one particular game, don't want to, publisher wants support first" cycle wasn't enough >.>
Well of course. If their games ell well, they'll make more. It couldn't be any other way, realistically. FIFA looks excellent so hopefully it does well.
@InternetBowser "but at least make something about the game that they might be jealous of" They've already cut that story bit from the game, adding anything seems impossible with that in mind.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Every publisher approaches every new platform in exactly the same way, to be fair. Wii got bespoke ports because the userbase was so vast; Wii U didn't because the userbase was small so third party sales were poor. There's no reason for EA or anyone to blindly throw their weight behind a system that's still an unknown entity.
Always worrying when I see stuff like this. I'll only get the EA games on Switch I actually want if everybody else buys thousands of copies of FIFA as I've got zero interest in it (haven't bought a FIFA game on any platform since 1998)
If someone can answer if the Switch is owned entirely by the sort of people who bought the Wii U to play Nintendo games, or if there is a large percentage of XB1/PS4 owners who buy every FIFA every year who purchased some of these Switches, then I can tell you if FIFA will be a success....
@MrGawain Or maybe owned by newer people who want third-party games, instead of only Nintendo ones. It seems so far, that third-party games have been met with at least good, or up to expectancy sales, so it seems to have gotten a lot better.
Why does everyone forget about Disgaea 5? You guys mentioned Puyo Puyo and Street Fighter, but forgot the best third party game on the system
I'm not paying $60 for a game I don't want for the possibility of getting the opportunity to buy a game I do want later. Sounds like the Mighty No 9 Kickstarter now that I think about it.
"It’s a full-fledged FIFA game"
I thought that the Journey-Mode was going to miss from the Switch Version? So how exactly is it "full-fledged"? Not using Frostbite on the Switch, and building something from scratch is one thing, but leaving an entire mode out - for no clear reason - is a different story imho. It's not really a deal-breaker, but it makes this statement seem a bit dishonest.
I don't care for EA. I will say that the guy is bring completely honest about what's what with them and Nintendo. Gotta respect that at least. I'm still not sold on the FIFA version cuz I don't really play sports games like when I was a teen. We'll see.
@Dazza - this second quote is a repetition of the end of the first quote.
Personally I'm not a big fan of EA games, even FIFA (PES all the way), but the more the better, I figure.
no thanks...
I could give a care for a shonky FIFA on the Switch. A PES akin to PES on the Wii however...
@OorWullie
That was the most interesting thing in there, the rest is just them giving a generic response to a question they would rather not answer.
@Elanczewski Well spotted, you have passed the test
Seeing as I don't support ea on my PS4, why would I on switch? There are no games by them I buy at full price anymore, only used off eBay a year or more after release. And FIFA won't be the game that gets me to start. Sorry ea, but your games aren't that good.
@InternetBowser Soccer in general is lost on me, though I get what you're saying. I suppose a lot of third-parties reason that "Portability is your extra feature!" which is quite lazy considering it comes inherent to the damn console...
That and as a home-console only Switch user, it is equally lost on me
Where the hell is The Sims 4?!
@Rafx
Not everyone is on the same opinion that a game franchise with over 100 million units sold is niche.
Actually.
No one should even consider that as a possibility.
As already said, I hope they don't make their entire Switch-support decision based on sales of this game. FIFA may be a popular franchise but there are many gamers with no interest in football or football games. Also I imagine many may already be happy with just their other home console where such games were guaranteed from Day 1.
That's nice, EA, but I'm not buying a soccer game.
What if you don't like football??
Got to be careful that we don't bend over backwards hoping EA give us what we want, when in reality they will give us what they want to give us. What I want, Burnout white knuckle adrenaline fuelled arcade racing game. What they will give us is Need For Speed In Da Hood with micro transactions and season passes.
@fox_mattcloud Then their guys in suits assume you won't like all their other games.
@Bunkerneath or he implies that the missing features like Journey mode are bells and whistles on top of a full-fledged FIFA game in themselves. But posing as a victim of lies and conspiracies is what we fans always find more exciting anyway. XD
FIFA 18 on Switch promises local one-unit multiplayer, for one - something I doubt any portable FIFA port has ever offered before whereas home consoles have featured it even despite those consoles needing a separate second controller purchase for years. Sounds nice and full-fledged to me here, yeah.
I hope that one of those "couple more" games is a Star Wars game (not necessarily Battlefront) because as much as FIFA might look good so far, I don't like football (or soccer or whatever people choose to call it) so I won't be buying it. And determining Switch support upon one or two games solely is a bad way of doing it.
EA holding Switch owners to ransom. Buy FIFA or we wont support the system. Awesome.
I don't like sports games, so I'm not getting it. Would rather have had battlefront.
If EA is telling the truth, which I doubt, I think we have a good chance with EA's FIFA 18 selling well. I purchased FIFA 17 last year for our PS4 and we really enjoyed it. My oldest son is already saying he's buying this one for the Switch. Out of all the games in EA's arsenal, I feel like this one gives us a good opportunity to do well and for EA to give us more in the future. I think the only series that may have done better would have been Star Wars Battlefront.
Also, I see a lot of comments above that say, "what if I don't like sports games" or "I don't care for football/soccer". This is what happens when the 3rd party developers hold us for ransom. The same can be said about Capcom and Street Fighter 2. What if I don't like fighters or what if I already own 13 different versions of Street Fighter 2? It's a sucky thing to do to Switch owners in my honest opinion. To base all future development off of the sales of one game is both risky and unfair. Like I said, I think EA has a great chance with FIFA 18; but what if it fails? I would find it very hard to believe that a Star Wars game would not sell on the Switch! Make a new pod racer game. Make a new Rogue Squadron game. Make a Star Wars RTS game, wouldn't that play awesome on the Switch's touch screen?
Already posted this on GoNintendo but what the hell:
EA are so full of it - and themselves.
I'm pleased they're putting what looks like a pretty good FIFA game on Switch and I certainly don't expect them to 'support' the Switch or Nintendo - any more than any fan should 'support' any games company.
I have a problem with them making out like they're 'helping grow that install base' - it's bumfluf.
Executives love spouting this sort of codswollop. 'At some point numbers become a factor' (!!?!!). What - like, after you're done with your FIFA charity you might then have to think about your shareholders and 'numbers'?
EA are trying to position themselves as some kind of generous patron to Nintendo - presumably so they can play the 'we've been let down' shtick if they want to back out. Or worse - take a fat slice of credit for the Switch's success if it meets their expectations.
Top tip for EA: Just try and make good games and put them out there for people to play and shut the bleep up.
Here in Europe FIFA is gonna sell like hell! I would buy if it wasn't for Ronaldo on the cover! But anyways it will sell
@Ralek85 it might be missing certain stories but it will be fully fledged as a portable can be! No other game like it in the mobile scene. Have all the teams, online etc. Using a proper comtroller! Not sure why story couldn't have been done but obviously engine issue
@Ralek85 Well, with that kind of logic, any FIFA game before the last one would not have been a "full fledged FIFA game". Journey mode didn't exist at all before then.
Also, the lack of that mode is pretty clearly because of the engine. There are many sequences between the games with character interactions for the story purposes that were created with Frostbyte, remaking all of that with another engine (not even sure if the engine they are using for Switch is capable of that without heavy modification) would be a lot of work... I can understand them in that way.
Ugh, I really hate to be the guy who defends EA, but in this case I really don't think they are doing something so bad.
Ice hockey. Not interested in soccer.
@Hobbesyall Both Ronaldos? Because we'll have one with Cristiano Ronaldo, and a special edition with Ronaldo Nazario.
Oh, EA ......
You can give Switch a FIFA 18 game But CAN'T give The Sims 4 for Switch, instead you give PS4 & xbox1 The Sims 4?!
Damn you, Sony and EA !!
@jancotianno Just the Real Madrid one ! Both him and Real are a big pile of . . . :3
@Kirgo Look at this from a objective stand point for a moment: On one hand, we have FIFA for other consoles, being fully-fledged with all the modes. On the other hand, we have FIFA Switch, with that story mode missing, and having only the console's inherent portability as real difference.
EA is basically banking on the Switch itself to sell this.
ooooof course
So EA will follow the same path as Capcom for the switch. That kind of strategy will work once or twice ,but if you keep telling people they need to buy this game or else no more support it will likely backfire sooner then later
"...testing it out with big things like FIFA – and maybe a couple of others, we’ll see..."
Despite the usual EA jabs, I can honestly respect this approach over what we've seen from Capcom - where the strategy appears to be reselling us old games with little to no development effort.
Maybe we're not all FIFA fans, but there's no doubt it's an established property and they're putting some additional effort to make it enjoyable on the Switch. I hope it does well.
September is going to be a busy but good month.
I have no interest in realistic sports games, and I have no intention of buying a game just so a number can tick up once. Which is a shame because the only games from EA that I'm interested in come from studios who are under the company. The likely hood of those games appearing on Switch if EA's own games don't sell well is comparable to a dumpster fire.
Wake me up when we get any kind of news on a Star Wars game, PVZ Garden Warfare, Titanfall, or a game by Bioware.
I was never really into FIFA, but EA does occasionally release something that tickles my fancy, so I hope this does well enough.
The quote states that fifa is part of a few other titles meant to test the water. So let's see what other titles those will be.
@Shellcore Capcom did the same thing. And after that game did well they do it again. Every game is a tester.
@UmniKnight I think you are overestimating the importance of the story mode.
No one buys FIFA because of the story mode and I can easily see the portability being a much bigger thing than The Journey ever will be. (seriously, FIFA is one of those games that would be great to have on the go)
If the Switch version of this game fails, it is not because the Journey is missing.
Sports titles like FIFA are among the few games that can be played with other people through local multiplayer without having to split the screen, resulting in a comfortable viewing experience even when playing on the go with others.
I could see that being a big selling point for the Switch version of FIFA 18. Whether it actually sells is really dependent on EA's own expectations. The game itself has had rather good reception as a great portable FIFA experience and a decent but Journey-less console FIFA experience.
If EA expects FIFA 18 on Switch to sell ~1 million copies and it fails to hit that number, then I would understand why EA would choose to pull their Switch support.
If EA expects FIFA 18 on Switch to sell 4+ million copies and it fails to hit that number, then I'd question EA's sanity for having such ridiculous expectations.
I haven't played football games in ages, but it might be a game I can play with my friend that is usually just play Fifa or PES. Still consider getting it.
Something something Wii U 2.
(Yeah, I know this is getting old, but it still seems just as relevant to me. I want the Switch to succeed, but so far it's getting even worse third party support than the Wii U did. The only reason it's doing as well as it is, is because Nintendo is actually trying this time.)
@Kirgo I very well may be overestimating it, I don't know jack about FIFA
But that's a personal perspective to take, and the question is, how many people really care about the missing mode vs portability?
The fact remains, however, that EA is banking on the Switch to truly sell the game vs other versions, which I find rather lazy on the developers front. That said, it's great that the Switch has an edge in this alone, and a regular handheld that couldn't dock wouldn't have this power, so 1-Up for Switch.
@westman98 Actually they will always compare to other platforms. It started with the classic Wii. But since Wii Marketing was all about wiimotes, people were not complaning about PS2 ports or very gimped ports.
Since Wii U could have graphics a little better than PS3 (despite all the efforts to work with a different arch) people were expecting improved ports, and that happened only once, with Need for Speed... Mass Effect and Fifa were lazy ports. And Wii U was not selling well.
Now it's a different situation... Nintendo Switch is a Nvidia console... with many people saying it has great dev tools... It is selling very well, but at the same time - the same companies - are using a new excuse: "Well, you know, there are many portable devices with better hardware... and we are working on a very nice version (lazy port) for a handheld (major excuse for not being close to ps4 and xb1)".
The thing is...keeping this number of sales, soon Konami will consider a PES for Switch, maybe for the end of 2018. Then Fifa will not be just a gimped port.
But defending EA's Press People they were never saying anything bad about Nintendo Switch. They avoided - a lot - saying it was underpowered or that it was just Fifa 17.
Even because this is a new strategy for all these companies: Sell a game with all the latest options and features for PC/latest PS/latest XB, and make a good version for Switch as the "portable option".
They are not trying to sell just for a single platform. Even Nintendo is not marketing Nintendo Switch as the only console you need to have.
Hope the gameplay doesn't suck, if only the gameplay can be just like the one on ps4 or not too far from that I can see fifa will do well. The other thing worries me is how many people having switch is actually a soccer fans.
This behavior is growing tiresome. I'll buy what I want to buy when I want to buy it. If that's not good enough for these companies, then I'll just cut their games out of my diet permanently. Others will take their place.
Out of the sports games coming to switch I am least excited for this (NBA 2K18 I can't wait for), but I am still going to pick this up to support 3rd party titles on switch. I want to be able to play more than just nintendo games on my switch and I will vote with my wallet accordingly.
@crackafreeze just get the edition with Ronaldo Nazario on the cover.
I’ll buy it day 1 instead of for the PS4 this year. Not because I feel I’m being bribed into it by some company bigwig, because it’s FIFA on the go. Real FIFA on the go. Sold.
I think the Electronic Arts game I'd most like to play on Switch is Road Rash II.
I'm all for supporting a company that needs it, but if I'm not interested in the game, I'm not interested. Not a sport game kinda guy so I'm gonna have to pass.
@8itmap_k1d You mean other than the fact the Switch is still a hot item, even in Japan, in part due to the shortages, and in part because the system lit a fire under people's rear ends?
It should be obvious to anyone with a brain that people who own Switches want games, so testing the waters at this point is like saying the ocean is empty when there's a school of thousands of fish right in front of your face.
@Arnold-Kage I don't think that's the case at all. First, very few people will be aware of the statements made by EA. We (Nintendolife audience) are not the majority, most people do not read all the Nintendo news articles. Second, this FIFA is a much bigger game than a rehash of a decades old game. I have no issue with EA's statements, and honestly, as a publicly traded company, of course their main (only) priority should be profitability.
@MegaVel91 Publishers don't care if it's a hot item if the install base is low. Fact is, at the time FIFA releases, Switch will still only have a fraction of the audience enjoyed by the other consoles.
And do they want to submit resources to future projects if there's no evidence that the hot item will actually be manufactured in sufficient quantities?
@RainbowGazelle It's not Wii U 2 though. The games are coming.
I don't really play any sports games besides MLB The Show, not interested in any other sports games. But If EA would bring over games like Need For Speed, Battlefield, and The Peggle series they would all be day one purchases from me on the switch.
Dear EA,
Soccer sucks. NHL or GTFO.
@Rafx FIFA's not for me, and it may not be the biggest thing in the US, but for EA, FIFA is far and away their biggest worldwide product. It's their Mario. So even though most of us here probably aren't interested, and sales in the US are low-ish for it, generally, FIFA's a good test run for them since it's bigger than Battlefield, Battlefront and Madden for them, and Mass Effect doesn't even come close to any of those three. Plus Nintendo lacks sports games in general and has almost nothing 1st party, so getting one of the big names up there is good for Nintendo. This is really a better statement from EA than Capcom's "we'll see how 25 year old SFII does". At least EA's firing with the biggest gun they've got.
Granted, I still can't stand EA and 75% of the games they make, but at least Soderlund sounds like EA SHOULD have sounded 5 years ago about WiiU, and is being up-front and honest about numbers like every publisher should be.
Never thought I'd ever say this, but EA's the one on the right side this time.
Basically if you want on Switch the games from EA that you truly care about getting... you first have to be ready to buy a game you have zero interest in and which will just sit there on your shelf, collecting dust. Thanks EA!
I don't really see the problem with what he's said to be honest. I'd assume they've done lots of market research indicating that the types of gamers they cater to are likely to buy Fifa games. So if Fifa is their flagship game as we tend to know it is then if they launch that on a nintendo machine andnit does well the indications will be that there is likely to be a market for their other games. If it does poorly then the indications will be the reverse.
The difference this time is that they seem to be putting a fair bit of effort into this one, they are releasing it alongside other systems and haven't drastically cut it down. I think it will do quite well to be honest, I've pre-ordered and itll be my first fifa in about 10 years
I just want a Need for Speed game. Most Wanted on Wii U was great.
I'll buy it. Not because of EA comment but because I actually want football on the go.
@dkxcalibur @TJM and any other "holding gamers for ransom" conspiracy theorists:
Keep in mind that of the install base only a small minority will ever read or hear about such interviews. I don't think it can be much more than 10% to be honest, though I'm just using logic, common sense, and some basic knowledge about print media runs and reader numbers here. NL staffers could probably say how many regular readers they have have. Even if the numbers were a little higher, I doubt that it would make sense to coerce the gamers that do read it to buy the game this way. So I'm inclined to think that they're just stating a simple, obvious truth of business... and we gamers just take it the wrong way (just as we always do, if it pleases us).
So as long as they don't put it in the slogan of their FIFA campaign, and print it on the cover of the game and all the posters as part of all their general advertising ("FIFA 18!" - Buy it on Switch, or else!" - with Ronaldo holding a gun, smoking a cigar with a grim face; wouldn't THAT be awesome...), so everybody even remotely interested in the game can see it, I'm not buying all this "they're trying to force us to buy a mediocre product" nonsense.
That said, I won't be buying FIFA either, just because I'm not into sports games in general, not even football/soccer. Well, apparently now you know who to blame if EA cancels further Switch support...
@Kafei2006 Dont believe the hype. The Switch is a huge and important platform for all companies and its only getting bigger. Dont buy anything you dont want ever. EA will bring the games.
@daveh30 NHL just has nowhere near the popularity of FIFA though...
I think The Sims 4 for Switch will attract some gamers that has no interest with football or any lousy games from EA.
Damn, EA. Just give the Switch owner The Sims 4, One of EA (Made by Maxis) Best Selling games !
@JunkRabbit Just to be clear, I don't have some conspiracy theory that Capcom and EA are using websites and articles to hold us hostage???? I'm stating the cold hard fact that Capcom and EA are are producing one game to test the market. If those games sell, they "may" produce more games for the Switch.....but they both love the Switch! That is holding the consumer hostage. Is it fair? Sure. I don't expect a company to make a huge investment only to see most Switch owners not buy their game. I just want those companies to put forth a good effort on that first test game. Remakes are not good tests of a market. I'm worried about Bethesda Games and Skyrim for the same reason.
I also stated that EA's FIFA 18 is a legit title unlike the remake that Capcom gave us. Yes I know that technically every sports game iteration is a remake but what Capcom gave us with SF2 Switch game isn't anything spectacular that excused the fact that they charged $30 for it!
@Anti-Matter Star Wars Sims?
@dkxcalibur
No...
I just want The Sims 4, playing my alter ego and other virtual peoples in my house design (Because designing house is my Biggest favorite part), play them peacefully, no gun sounds, no weapons, no feuds, just a piece of peacefully virtual living.
@dkxcalibur
Understood!
I only own a Switch (and a Wii). So if a game doesn't come out for Switch, I don't buy it. Nor am I into sports games. I'm not giving into blackmail to buy a handicapped, buggy game I'm not interested in, sorry. So that is going to distort their data as if they actually made QUALITY games on the Switch in a genre I DO care about, I'd definitely buy them. EA is really being slimy jerks about this, but that's par for the course with them it seems.
I torn, because EA support for the Switch will be very good for the Switch.
But EA is such an greedy evil company... They even worse than Disney...
@8itmap_k1d
"And do they want to submit resources to future projects if there's no evidence that the hot item will actually be manufactured in sufficient quantities?"
The sales really shouldn't matter then in terms of support. Switch has about 5 Million install base right now, so if FIFA fails to make boo koo bucks, and Switch picks up steam later, we won't get any more EA games period, and it'll be because they banked on a title the majority of Nintendo people probably don't really care for. That's their own fault cause they didn't read the market and what the people in the Switch's market actually want.
EA has more than sports games they can throw around that people probably would want if they tried them, but that's not happening here, so EA is going to end up hoisting itself by it's own petard, not only because they went with a title most people who own the Switch probably don't care for, but because they held future development hostage behind FIFA's potential success.
This is the kind of crap that needs to stop. Give people the kind of games they want, and money allowing, they will buy and play them. It's stupidly simple.
I'm a huge fan of PES Soccer which I still play from time to time on Wii. If there is no announcement for PES by the time Fifa Comes out. I'm definitely picking up Fifa
@BLP_Software That's a bit off. Only Street Fighter was a test.
In their statement to their investors regarding MHXX, they said they'd use it to further gauge how to support Switch, not if. Big difference.
I don't play fifa but if your going to gauge your support for a system maybe battlefield or Sims would be a more apt series to gauge success, but then again I know a lot of people love fifa.
I'm so excited get a switch, hopefully find one in stock next month.
Can't wait play Splatoon 2, salmon mode looks amazing, and course MK8. Blaster master too! Oh and sonic!
@roadrunner343
Well maybe but I don't see fifa that way. Love a game as much as the next guy but you are spending 60 euro on a transfer window update. Still most gamers buy magazine or check news so it gets out
@NEStalgia Yep, FIFA's not for a lot of people on this site, FIFA's target market doesn't even look at sites like these or even know that they exist. There's people who literally buy consoles just for FIFA - and a machine that provides the option to play the game on the go is an enticing proposition for busy people.
I think it could do well.
To be frank, it doesn't really matter how you or I view the game. To me personally (And you, apparently), it's not a big game - but the only thing that really matters is sales figures, and this is definitely a much bigger game.
As for those that check gaming news sites or purchase magazines, I'm still fairly positive that is a minority of people. There are loads of casual gamers, especially with sports games, that just pick up whatever the most recent NHL, Madden, FIFA, etc... game is. Even if it did, I don't think EA's comments are "pressuring" anyone into anything - they're just saying the same thing that every developer has, and that is, the Switch is more of a risk than other consoles, so they're waiting to see how successful their products are before fully committing. It's a smart, if a bit safe, business decision.
EDIT: I meant to reply to @Arnold-Kage with this post, not @WiltonRoots... but oddly enough, it mainly still applied =D
@JunkRabbit Dude, I think you got the wrong end of the stick somewhat. I'm certainly not a conspiracy theorist and I don't have a grudge against EA or feel they're holding anyone to ransom.
I actually think that FIFA on the Switch is a great idea and that it will do great due to the dynamic usability of the system.
I just don't like the way that statement was worded - as if they are doing Nintendo and fans a favour by putting FIFA on the console. It seems very deliberate language - designed to big up their influence in the markets and define their relationship to Nintendo as some kind of generous patron.
They're a business - a giant in the industry in many ways - no problem. I just dislike the corporate nonsense speak.
@roadrunner343 yep absolutely, whether we like it or not it's a big deal title. More so than a lot of titles people here are asking for.
Frankly, I'll just get FIFA 18 for the Switch because there won't be PES 2018 for it.
Also, I really disapprove EA conditioning a capped game (as we all know it) to the future of the series. The way I see it, and again, considering there will not be PES this year for the Switch, I'm conditioning my buy of future FIFAs to whether they give us the full game or not.
'Nuff said.
Just chappy PR to get switch owners to buy fifa, looking at the comments here, it's going to have a mixed reception, some buying it some not so. It won't have the impact some are thinking it will have in Europe, for a start the switch userbase isn't big enough plus many won't buy it and ps4 xbox will sell the biggest lions share of it, like I said its a stunt to try get you to buy it on the idle promise of other games, which there is no guarantee from EA
@olrodlegacy From third parties? Where?
@MrGawain Well I'm a PS4 player, never owned a wii or wii u and buy FIFA every year on both PS4 and IOS for my sons. So I think you have at least a count of.. one
Capcom was a mistranlation but I have no doubt about EA pulling a "buy it or we walk" with this game. I have it preordered...because EA looks at those and I knew they would come out with this nonsense eventually...and its been a while since I played Fifa.
@NEStalgia
You have a good point!
I'm fairly certain EA's support for the Switch will mainly consist of their EA Sports games i.e. FIFA, Madden NFL, NHL, NBA Live, UFC, PGA, etc. There is a possibility that games like Need For Speed, a Sims game, PvZ Garden Warfare or ports of EA's mobile titles will appear on the Switch as well.
Just don't go in expecting Battlefield, Star Wars Battlefront, Anthem, or Dragon Age to appear on the Switch.
@Kirgo @Whippy31 I don't really care whether or not it's because of the engine, or because they are lazy, or because they are cheap, or what ever. Like I said, as it stands, the apparent result, being what it's going to be, the game will not be full-fledged when compared with itself on another platform. It's just a bit of an dishonest statement from where I'm sitting - no more and no less.
"Well, with that kind of logic, any FIFA game before the last one would not have been a "full fledged FIFA game". Journey mode didn't exist at all before then."
Well, that is indeed true as long as your logical reasoning is not constrained by your inability to perceive time as a non-linear continuum. If you are able to make deductions based on future events, then you've got a point .... but then again, you must have known that already, as I've said it already in the future before now
I'm happy for all those who want this - sincerely, the Switch could use some sports games and I'm well aware that this is probably the biggest sports title of all, and a good "test title" for EA to go with.
None of that changes the fact that I have absolutely zero interest in it (or pretty much any sports game), and I am not made of money so I can't be buying Switch games just to support the cause.
EA is not to be trusted.
I'd rather have International Superstar Soccer with online multiplayer.
I'm hoping good sales = Madden for the switch.
Seeing how soccer is not a huge phenomenon here in the states that makes little sense. How about trying madden instead to gage interest!
I just want them to bring EA UFC 2 to the Switch.
@GameOtaku
Because it's huge everywhere else and on a worldwide basis, much bigger than American 'football' 😉 It's the biggest selling game around.
@westman98
Hopefully you're right. To push the multiplayer angle of the Switch it needs sport games.
@Rafx It might be a niche market in the US but its a huge franchise worldwide and one of EA's biggest earners.
my only complain is that crappy cover.
@TJM
Sorry if I misunderstood your meaning. Thanks for clarifying.
Still, one can hear a lot out there what I tried to put into perspective with my post, I think we can agree on that, even if you did not mean it that way.
Finally, I wasn't dead serious about this, I hope you can see that. Just offering a bit of context we disgruntled gamers (we'll always find a reason to be miffed if we want to) often gladly overlook if it helps our complaining about what we don't get, which to some is apparently more fun than just playing and enjoying the games we do get instead. Strange world indeed...
Day one buy for me, kinda Game that is perfect on the go! Dont bother reading into everything, success will be bases on sales but we cant change that really buy if you want it, if you dont oh well
Day one buy for me, kinda Game that is perfect on the go! Dont bother reading into everything, success will be based on sales but we cant change that really buy if you want it, if you dont oh well
Day one buy for me, kinda Game that is perfect on the go! Dont bother reading into everything, success will be based on sales but we cant change that really buy if you want it, if you dont oh well
Well it seems Nintendo fans are being held to ransom and being used as a barometer for future support from shady publishers with limited software options.Not everyome likes sports games and FIFA is nothing more than a yearly COD copy and paste.I see your excuses already EA
@electrolite77
So are they only basing it on region? As far as sports games go I'm not a fan of the genre at all. With other genres you can change up the formula a bit but with sports the rules are set in stone the only difference between generations of sports games is the graphics!
@GameOtaku I do think they should have released Madden and FIFA this year to gauge interest. As a futbol fan I don't deny the pull but I used to work Madden midnight launches for gamestop and the crowd that game draws in the US is insane (wish NHL got that kind of love, go 'Canes!).
If you're going to basically threaten fans of a system by saying "Buy this game or we won't make more games for your system." then you should probably make the game something with a broader appeal than a sports title.
@GameOtaku The PS4 version of FIFA 17 sold more than 11 million copies. It's one of the best-selling games. It sold 1.2 million copies in North America. Also, there are many more countries other than the US.
The PS4 version of Madden NFL 17 sold 3.13 million copies. It sold 2.16 million copies in North America.
@NinNin
But you have to admit one sports game should not set the standard for if they should develop for the platform or not. They could have went the safer route say with a platformer or maybe a fighting game (which you could consider a sport like mma or boxing).
@GameOtaku He said, "and maybe a couple of others, we’ll see," which implies that the company plans to release more Switch games.
@Jin15 I don't like EA's stance on this anymore than the next gamer, but shooters and sports games are as broad as it gets for the mainstream gamer.
can't wait to play FIFA 18 !
Sports games don't sell on Nintendo consoles. Haven't been since the SNES.
Nintendo fans keep complaining about sports games and EA, but never buy the games. But they live in some sort of alternative reality in which they think that if the Nintendo consoles have more sports games that it will attract more gamers.
@Hobbesyall I also dislike Ronaldo, glad he got banned for a couple of matches.
I can see Fifa doing well on the Switch.
@Kylo_Ren after pushing the refs it's only natural xD
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