New statements from a former executive at Sony revealed that the company was just one step away from sealing a massive deal to acquire the rights to the famous FIFA game series. However, EA managed to snatch it away and turn it into one of the most successful brands in the history of sports gaming.
FIFA Game Series Rights Were a Major Focus for Sony
Juan Montes, former Vice President of Software Development at Sony, shared in an interview with The Game Business on YouTube that Sony was very close to securing the rights to the FIFA series in the early 1990s. However, Sony did not move fast enough, allowing EA to seize the opportunity.
Montes explained that discussions within Sony at the time revolved around how to make a strong entry into the sports gaming market, with the FIFA football game seen as a golden opportunity due to its global popularity. He added that the company also considered purchasing Bullfrog Productions, the studio founded by famed designer Peter Molyneux, but the deal never materialized, and the studio ended up under EA’s umbrella.
Montes pointed out that EA’s decision to purchase Bullfrog and secure the FIFA rights was a very smart and strategic move. It was “easier and cheaper” than building a new football game from scratch. He said, “We thought we could build everything ourselves, but EA was quicker and bolder than us.”
He continued by saying that this moment was a pivotal one in the gaming industry. If Sony had successfully acquired the FIFA franchise, it would likely have dominated the football gaming market to this day. Perhaps EA would never have become the dominant force in this sector.
Today, after more than 30 years, EA’s partnership with FIFA has ended, and the company launched its new brand, EA Sports FC, while Sony continues to explore ways to expand its presence in the sports gaming market.
Montes’ statements have reignited an interesting debate among players and analysts about how different the industry would have been if Sony had owned the rights to the FIFA series from the start. It is possible that the game would have had an entirely different football identity than what we know today.
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