FIFA World Cup Launch Edition Transitions to Netflix Streaming with Mobile Gameplay Mechanics and Comprehensive National Team Content by Delphi Interactive
FIFA World Cup Launch Edition the official football brand will be available in a new form for the first time in 4 years. Since the end of the 30 year licencing agreement between footballing authorities and Electronic Arts, it is now the responsibility of Delphi Interactive to maintain the franchise through a streaming platform where playing the game will be dependent on an active Netflix subscription.
From the latest trailer to be released, it would appear the game is aimed primarily at the mobile platform. Players will be connected to matches through scanning of a QR code on screen, while PC play will be possible through a browser based application of the program. The developer has begun closed beta tests of the game for testers in Brazil and Germany to perfect gameplay prior to the public release. Delphi Interactive will aim to support the game for years and has provided a packed starting package which comes with 48 national teams for the upcoming World Cup as well as 1248 individual player models and 16 real stadiums from venues across the USA, Mexico and Canada.
This would show the trend of major game intellectual property being acquired by streaming services to support subscription prices, in this case being used to keep a game in its viewers and customer base and forcing it to be linked to their own streaming service rather than through a dedicated traditional console release. The impact on the future of licensed sporting games may be huge depending on the success of this product and will influence how major world sporting events license out their brand.
