Those of you with long memories will no doubt recall that, once upon a time, EA never missed a trick when it came to milking the lucrative FIFA licence.
As well as the yearly FIFA updates we'd also get special editions, such as FIFA: Road to World Cup '98 (which took the place of the yearly entry for 1997) which was then followed by World Cup '98 a year later, along with FIFA 99.
We've since seen official World Cup video games from EA for the 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 competitions, too - but this year, there's no official game on the way. Instead, EA is generously updating the current FIFA 18 game to include World Cup 2018 content.
The update will be free to download and arrives on May 29th. Excited much?
Comments 43
I'm guessing if you like football, this is big news,
Has switch content been confirmed anywhere???
EA made a comment? I have a horrible feeling switch will be left out
EDIT - wow switch included
Awesome news!!
Very Generous of EA
Not too long back this would have been a full price stand alone retail title
@Matthew010 As much as I like football, the World Cup editions never really brought much extra to the table
Not sure how many people here actually bought FIFA 18 for the Switch, but I've put many, many hours into it. Ya, it sucks that we don't get everything the PS4/XBONE versions have, but I still think it's a pretty great game. I don't think they have any right selling it for full price, but I'm more than happy with the $30 i spent on it.
@Stocksy Confirmed on Nintendo UK's official account.
This is wonderful news for Nintendo fans, who for so long have been left out in the cold by EA. Now we need FIFA 19, with online multiplayer with friends.
Ah I wish I could remember the names who claimed EA would skip switch with the world cup mode.
Thank you ea
Maybe this being free is one of EA's ways of making amends after the loot crate scandal. They did say they were going to rethink their strategy going forward.
I put 200 hours into Zelda and 106 in Xenoblade, yet this is my most played game. It really plays a solid game of football. Free World Cup mode just adds to the package, thanks EA 😎
Quite uncharacteristic of EA, maybe it was a deal with Nintendo to uphold equal updates and content across their platforms?
@Stocksy Play the World Cup
Get FIFA 18 today and download the free World Cup update on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch on May 29, as well as on mobile devices on June 6.
https://www.easports.com/fifa/2018-fifa-world-cup-update?utm_campaign=fifa18_hd_ww_ic_soco_twt_wc-features-tw-300418&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&cid=46239&ts=1525099526878
@OorWullie pretty sure the last world cup mode was free also.
Hopefully this will mean that EA haven’t totally abandoned plans to release other things on the switch. Still want that burnout
@kobashi100 I believe the free update was for Ultimate Team only. There was also a World Cup Kick-off mode where you could play with the 32 teams taking part but it was just exhibition matches I think. '2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil' was a standalone game released on PS3/ 360.
I actually have Fifa 98 on N64. It was a fun game!
@Guitto @olrodlegacy yeah my bad chaps I did edit post straight after as I saw - I assumed EA would dodge the handheld version updates like they have for years. Great news - I know the article jokes about a standalone game but the amount of content this is promising with all 32 teams and 12 stadiums plus kits etc - really excited for it - I hope they include a qualification stage if you wanna play it - and also some retro kits and legendary teams would be nice but I think they’d have mentioned that!
I think Road to the World Cup 98 on n64 included indoor 5 a side mode - that was awesome - sol Campbell was a beast!
@OorWullie to be fair EA on sports side has been good for a while UFC series had free dlc fighters for years - the golf had free extra content.
Even Star Wars battlefront 2 for solo players gave free dlc... it got lost in emotion by multiplayer but they gave away what most games give in a season pass
I have played FIFA18 and especially FUT a lot on the Switch. A great game and FUT is an interesting concept. I never paid for any packs, but I can see why people is angry about the loot system. Feels quite unfair. Would have felt cheated if I spent extra money on it. It's quite smart of EA to give this World Cup mode for free and create new hype around the game and sell more packs... They did the same trick in 2014 I believe, not stand alone game as the article says.
Wonder if they will patch in play with friends support as well
EA giving out stuff for free?! That's a first...
Ok ill buy fifa now.
Good stuff. FIFA on Switch is an underrated game.
Plus, while I normally much prefer club football to international football, I can't help but get excited by the World Cup. One day there'll be another good one.
@RamrodDestroyer
I only play Fifa games online and I recently got Fifa 18 very cheap on PS4 and I have to say I much prefer the gameplay of the Switch version. It is faster and less cumbersome to control so the Switch version is a great choice for anyone not interested in FUT or the Journey in my opinion.
For some reason I'm still not convinced Switch will get this... or it will be some VERY lacking effort on Switch, like a stadium and some new uniforms?
@SBandy
I agree... the Nintendo versions of FIFA have almost always been slightly more arcade-like and less simulation... which I much prefer.
But still nothing has ever been as fun as International Superstar Soccer 64!
@holygeez03
What a game that was!
Good news!!! Happy to have it on my switch <3 Fifa everywhere!
I only picked up FIFA 18 back in February once it was discounted to £20 odd quid on Amazon UK, having fallen out of love with the franchise for a number of years.
Roll on a couple of months and It's rapidly becoming my most played game on the Switch and honestly, aside from some of the well documented omissions (playing with friends online), I think FIFA 18 is one of my favourite games on the system bar none.
I used to love playing the World Cup games, I'm elated with this news of free DLC. Hell, at this rate I might even pre-order FIFA 19 at full price. A turnaround I'm actually astounded at considering just how little interest I'd had in football for nearly a decade.
@Damo I could have sworn that FiFA 14 had a World Cup update rather then a separate game. Am I wrong?
Happy with this, thanks EA. I've played a tonne of FIFA 18 on Switch after initially not really liking it (I'm a huge PES fan). It has a good atmosphere and manager mode is great.
When does the WII U 2 come out again as Nintendo seem to be phasing out the WII U?
This is encouraging. I think FIFA 19 is pretty much a given at this point.
I dread to think of what the file size of this will be though. If it's excessive, I would prefer a separate retail release, or at least an updated physical release of FIFA 18 with the World Cup content on the cartridge.
I think FIFA 18 is a great game to be honest, nice to get this update.
Okay I am really confused, people WANT a separate game? Just for the World Cup? WHY? Especially today, sports games should just get updates for things like team rosters and World Cup events.
I don't even think it is appropriate for there the be a game every year (Fifa/Madden/MLB 07, 08, 09, 10, 11...) We should get one game on the system that gets regular DLC updates.
Why people would want to buy the same game every year is beyond me. Football is football, how different can each game be?
My body is Reggie
@bezerker99 that was my first soccer game and the first World Cup I really watched with my parents. Good memories.
@BensonUii okay?
Now I can pretend the US qualified.
Hi, community! Here’s my friend code in case you want to play FIFA: 1016 7209 0137
Will this update be added on fifa 18 ps3 ??
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iphone 6 iphone 7
@Stocksy I just realized that FIFA 23 will most likely add World Cup to it. Maybe Switch will get it as it got the one from FIFA 18?
@anoyonmus it could convince me to buy it maybe. Although I just got 22 super cheap. Having updated leagues, kits and rosters is worth a few quid to me.
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