The Fifa game will no longer be called Fifa. What will it mean? – Dagsavisen
WHO: André Nygren Østbø (25)
WHAT: Works with E-football in the Norwegian Football Association
WHY: It is joined between game developer EA and Fifa.
Yo! Shouldn’t Fifa be Fifa anymore?
– No, it looks like that. The agreement between EA, as the major game, and the Fifa organization will not continue after Fifa 23. After the game that comes this fall, it will come out under a different name. It seems to be called EA Sports FC.
What happens then?
– For most people, it will be a pure name change. EA has said that all modes, such as «ultimate teams», career, “pro clubs” … All this here continues. And the names of teams and players they EA will continue to be able to use.
The players in the game will continue to be Messi, Ronaldo and Haaland?
– Yes. Those agreements have apparently already been entered into. At clubs too. It will not be like some other football games where you have to play with “Merseyside Reds” and “Manchester Blue” and such.
But a brand new game may emerge that takes over the Fifa name?
– At least it looks like Fifa is investigating the possibility.
What do computer gamers think about this, then?
– Many are not completely up to date. But when people realize that it is a pure name change, I think people will be positive. That’s one reason why EA’s games have been the most popular since they came out. In addition, it should be mentioned that an ordinary Fifa 23 will not arrive until the autumn.
But you run the Norwegian national team in Fifa? The computer game?
– We do a lot more than just that, that is. We arrange for broad clubs and arrange a number of tournaments. Among other things, the NM in e-football, where there were over 100 registered teams. But jess, we run the national team.
What is it about?
– It’s about finding the best Norwegian Fifa players and getting them to compete together. Next week we will have a national team gathering.
How does it take place?
– Then we fly three players into Ullevaal, house them at the hotel, and have a gathering. We make preparations, there will be some matches, a little mental coaching. And preparations for the match on Thursday and Friday next week.
What happens on Thursday and Friday?
– We must try to qualify for the Fifa E-nations cup, which is simply the World Cup in e-football. It takes place in Copenhagen in July. The first match now is against Turkey, 19 May.
How does it take place? Do all three play together?
– They play that motto. But we have a third player with us as a reserve.
A good old-fashioned bench grinder?
– No then, we change the players, according to which playing styles suit the opponents. But only two play each in battle. We meet Turkey, Bulgaria, Northern Ireland, Greece, Luxenburg and Moldova in a group game.
[ Da det dukka opp en trikkeholdeplass foran kunstlageret fikk kommunen et problem ]
Who are you playing with? The usual Norwegian national team?
– Unfortunately no. It is based on the “Ultimate Team” mode. We put together our dreams — or as we wish.
So you can play with Messi?
– Yes, anyone. Especially R9, old-Ronaldo, is a player who is on absolutely all teams. And Ruud Gullit. But there are many new cards coming now, in the Ultimate Team. So it will be exciting to see which players the guys now think are the best.
Uhh. Okay. But if I want to watch, how do I do it?
– You can go on twitch.tv/efotball_norge. Or on Youtube or Facebook. The first match is on Thursday at 17.00.
But what game are you going to play after the breakup between EA and Fifa?
– Fifa and EA have an agreement now which means that we play EA Sports Fifa games. What happens after that I do not know anymore about anyone else.
But could it be that Fifa just decides that international matches should be in the new Fifa game?
– They themselves claim that they must open up for diversity in their competitions. Then it will be up to each individual to interpret. It’s a fight against EA that will be demanding no matter what.
[ Dagsavisen følger Oslo-fotballen. Hør «Trikkeligaen» der du finner podkaster. ]
Over to quick questions! Which book has meant the most to you?
To Dad’s great disappointment, I’m not particularly interested in books. He is a bookseller. But I have read one. Darlah, by Johan Harstad. I came across it at school. It is a novel from 2008 which is about a trip to the moon. It was more up there than it hopefully is in reality.
What do you do when you go out?
– Well, I’m like most others. Love a little party now and then.
Who would you rather be stuck in the elevator with?
– It would have been a lot of fun if it was Jürgen Klopp. A good Klopp hug would have been good, when I started to get scared in that elevator.
[ Lurer du på å sperre for kredittsjekk? Det er ikke bare enkelt ]
Stay up to date. Get a daily newsletter from Dagsavisen