The end of an era
Despite the release of FIFA 24, fans of the FIFA series are facing a major shift in the gaming landscape. EA Sports, the developer behind both FIFA 24 and the previous installments, has made a surprising move. Previously available FIFA games, including FIFA 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23, have been removed from all online storefronts without any notice.
Not just a game
FIFA 23, the best-selling UK game of last year, sold over 10 million copies in its first week alone. Many players would typically continue to buy the newest release every year in order to stay up to date with the latest teams. However, not everyone has the means to do so, leading them to wait for sales or play older versions. Despite the release of FIFA 24, FIFA 23 still boasts around 30,000 players online every day.
A name change with consequences
EA Sports, following a high-profile breakup between EA and FIFA, rebranded the series as EA FC 24. However, this change in name comes with unexpected consequences for gamers. While players were aware of the name change going forward, they were not prepared for the impact it would have on their ability to access older games in the series.
Gone without a trace
Earlier this year, EA removed FIFA 15, 16, 17, and 18 from online storefronts. However, FIFA 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 remained available for purchase until recently. Now, all these games have been removed without warning, leaving fans unable to purchase them regardless of the platform they use to play.
What about existing players?
If you already own any of the now-unavailable FIFA games, don't worry - you can still play them and find matches online. However, the removal of the games from online storefronts means that new players will not be able to join in. FIFA 22 and 23 are still accessible through subscriptions such as EA Play and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
There is currently no indication that these games will be removed from subscription services, but EA Sports is no longer selling them directly. For a comprehensive review of the latest game in the series, check out our EA FC 24 review.
