For decades, the FIFA franchise from EA Sports was synonymous with football simulation. From casual gamers to professional esports athletes, millions engaged annually with each release, drawn to the slick gameplay, deep game modes, and realism unmatched in the genre. However, in 2023, that long-standing partnership between EA Sports and FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) came to an end.
The result? The launch of EA SPORTS FC 24 in September 2023—a bold rebranding that marked not just a name change but a statement: EA Sports was prepared to carry forward its legacy, now with creative independence. While it lost the official FIFA branding, EA SPORTS FC 24 retained nearly all its licenses, features, and fan-favorite modes.
This article explores EA SPORTS FC 24 (commonly called FIFA 24 by habit), examining its gameplay advancements, technology innovations, licensing deals, modes like Ultimate Team, Career, and VOLTA, and how it navigated the transition into a new era of digital football.
I. The Name Change: Why “FIFA” Became “EA SPORTS FC”
The decision to rebrand FIFA was a result of the expiration of EA Sports’ licensing agreement with the FIFA organization. Reports indicate that FIFA demanded $1 billion over four years for continued use of its name—an amount EA Sports considered unjustifiable.
EA retained:
- All player likeness rights (via FIFPRO)
- Rights to use over 19,000 players
- Licenses for 700+ teams and 100+ stadiums
- Rights for 30+ leagues, including:
- Premier League
- La Liga EA Sports
- Bundesliga
- Ligue 1 Uber Eats
- Serie A TIM
- UEFA club competitions (Champions League, Europa League)
In essence, EA SPORTS FC 24 lost the FIFA name but kept the football world—a calculated move to maintain brand continuity while expanding creatively.
II. Gameplay Innovations in FC 24
A. Frostbite Engine and HyperMotion V
EA SPORTS FC 24 continued to use the Frostbite Engine, enhancing visual fidelity and responsiveness. But its key innovation was HyperMotion V, the next iteration of motion capture technology introduced in FIFA 22.
HyperMotion V utilized:
- Volumetric data from real matches across top leagues
- Advanced machine learning to create realistic player movement
- 1,200+ new animations, ensuring authentic body mechanics for shooting, dribbling, and defending
This elevated gameplay fluidity, making sprinting, turning, and tackling feel more grounded and dynamic.
B. PlayStyles: A New Layer of Strategy
One of FC 24’s standout features was the introduction of PlayStyles, replacing the old “Traits” system. These were based on real-life Opta data, categorizing players by their actual tendencies.
Examples include:
- Power Shot: For players who shoot with extreme force (e.g., Haaland)
- Quick Step: Improved acceleration (e.g., Mbappé)
- Intercept: Intelligent ball interceptions (e.g., Kimmich)
- Technical Dribbler: Increased ball control and finesse (e.g., Modrić)
PlayStyles added depth to squad-building and differentiated stars from generic players.
C. Women’s Players in Ultimate Team
For the first time ever, female players were introduced into Ultimate Team, alongside their male counterparts. This wasn’t in separate modes—they could be integrated into mixed-gender squads.
Included leagues:
- Barclays Women’s Super League (England)
- D1 Arkema (France)
- NWSL (USA)
- Liga F (Spain)
- Frauen-Bundesliga (Germany)
This historic move advanced gender representation and diversified gameplay options, though it also stirred some community controversy over balance.
III. Ultimate Team (UT): The Heart of EA FC
Ultimate Team remained the most played mode, and EA SPORTS FC 24 introduced key refinements.
A. Evolutions
A brand-new mechanic, Evolutions, allowed players to upgrade specific cards over time by completing challenges. This provided:
- Progression paths for favorite or underused players
- Incentives for long-term squad loyalty
- More accessible team building for casual players
Examples:
- Upgrade a silver card to gold level
- Turn a base gold into an 87+ rated beast
Evolutions made Ultimate Team more customizable and less reliant on pack luck.
B. Chemistry and Squad Building
Team chemistry saw subtle tweaks, emphasizing league and nation links over rigid positional alignment. This fostered more creative squad building, enabling hybrid squads with diverse players across both men’s and women’s leagues.
C. Icons and Heroes Return
Legendary players like Pelé, Zidane, Ronaldinho, and Marta featured as Icons, while retired cult figures like Ramires, Kompany, and Alex Scott returned as Heroes, boosting squad chemistry.
IV. Career Mode: Refined Management and Player Progression
A. Manager Career
The Manager Career received AI and tactical upgrades:
- Tactical Vision system (e.g., Gegenpressing, Tiki-Taka)
- Pre-match preparations with opposition analysis
- Hiring real-life coaches with unique specializations
- Expanded transfer logic and dynamic negotiations
These changes brought Football Manager-style complexity while retaining the series’ user-friendly interface.
B. Player Career
Players could now:
- Select an agent to influence career trajectory
- Set personal goals and track development milestones
- Use PlayStyles Pro to develop a custom identity on the pitch
These additions made Player Career more immersive and RPG-like.
V. VOLTA Football and Pro Clubs
A. VOLTA: Street Culture Returns
VOLTA, EA’s street football mode, evolved into a more casual social space with:
- Mini-games and party modes
- Seasonal unlocks via a VOLTA Arcade
- Custom avatars, gear, and celebratory emotes
It wasn’t the centerpiece, but it offered a fun escape from high-stakes competition.
B. Pro Clubs: Finally Cross-Play
Pro Clubs—where up to 11 human players form a team—finally introduced cross-play across PlayStation and Xbox, significantly improving matchmaking and club growth.
Enhancements included:
- Player progression trees
- PlayStyle badges
- Club customization (badges, stadiums, chants)
VI. Visuals, Commentary, and Presentation
A. Matchday Atmosphere
FC 24 took presentation seriously:
- Authentic broadcast overlays for each league
- Improved crowd reactions, team chants, and weather effects
- Realistic camera angles mimicking live TV
It deepened immersion and gave each match a broadcast-level feel.
B. Commentary Team
Long-time duo Derek Rae and Stewart Robson were joined by new sideline reporters and dynamic commentary triggers, which reacted to in-game events like:
- Long-term injuries
- Substitutions
- Career milestones
VII. Licensing, Leagues, and Global Reach
Despite losing FIFA branding, EA SPORTS FC 24 had the deepest licensing package ever in football gaming.
Included:
- 19,000+ players
- 700+ teams
- 30+ domestic leagues
- 100+ authentic stadiums
- Full UEFA licenses (Champions League, Europa, Conference)
- CAF Champions League (new addition)
EA Sports also partnered with global clubs for exclusive rights:
- Real Madrid
- Manchester City
- Juventus (returning)
- AC Milan
- FC Bayern
VIII. eSports and Competitive Play
EA SPORTS FC 24 continued the competitive momentum of FIFA esports with:
- The EA SPORTS FC Pro tournament series
- Regional leagues and open qualifiers
- Full integration with FUT Champions and Divisional Rivals
Top players and streamers transitioned smoothly, as EA promoted a robust competitive scene with both in-game and live events.
IX. Challenges and Criticisms
Despite many innovations, FC 24 faced its share of criticism:
A. Bugs and Launch Issues
- Players encountered disconnects, server lag, and reward errors at launch.
- Some animations appeared glitchy or misaligned, especially in crossplay.
B. Monetization and Pack Odds
- Concerns remained over microtransactions, particularly in Ultimate Team.
- Loot box mechanics—despite disclosure—were criticized for being predatory, especially among younger players.
C. Balance of Women’s Players
- Mixing women and men in Ultimate Team drew debate over pace stats, physical duels, and realism versus inclusivity.
X. Cultural Impact and Future of the Franchise
A. A Legacy Reimagined
EA SPORTS FC 24 proved that the FIFA name wasn’t necessary for dominance. With deep licensing, strong branding, and cross-platform engagement, FC 24 was a massive success:
- Topped global sales charts
- Maintained a massive online player base
- Delivered one of the most ambitious football games ever made
B. The Road Ahead: EA SPORTS FC 25 and Beyond
Looking forward:
- FC 25 is set to build on Evolutions and expand Career depth
- EA plans deeper integration with mobile and esports
- Future updates may include women’s international teams and manager co-op
There’s also speculation about:
- A Story Mode revival
- Club ownership and economy systems
- VR support in coming years
Conclusion: EA SPORTS FC 24 Is More Than Just a Name Change
EA SPORTS FC 24 didn’t just survive the loss of the FIFA name—it thrived. With gameplay innovations like PlayStyles, the inclusion of women in Ultimate Team, enhanced Career and Pro Clubs modes, and a refined competitive ecosystem, FC 24 set the blueprint for the franchise’s future.
It retained the soul of FIFA while embracing new ideas—and in doing so, it ushered in a bold new chapter in the world of football gaming. Whether you’re a FUT grinder, career manager, or casual weekend warrior, FC 24 delivered what fans love about the sport: creativity, competition, community, and the dream of glory.