EA Sports FC Online

EA Sports FC Online
Developer(s)EA Spearhead
Publisher(s)Nexon (Korea)
Garena (Thailand & Vietnam)
Tencent Gaming (China)
SeriesFIFA, FIFA Online r/>
EngineIgnite (based on FIFA 16)
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
iOS
Android
Release
  • KOR: May 17, 2018
  • THA: June 12, 2018
  • VIE: June 14, 2018
  • CHN: June 11, 2018
Genre(s)Sports, football simulation
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
Title card

EA Sports FC Online (formerly known as FIFA Online 4) is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online football game developed by EA Spearhead and published by Nexon, Garena and Tencent.[1] The game was released on 17 May 2018 in South Korea, then for China, Thailand and Vietnam markets in the following month.[2]

Development

In December 2017, the first closed beta test was launched, and plenty have been held. In South Korea, it was released into open beta on 17 May 2018.[3] In Vietnam, the closed beta test started on 22 March 2018.[4]

EA Sports FC Online M

In July 2018, EA Sports FC Online M (formerly FIFA Online 4 M) was released in Korea for iOS and Android. It is a mobile version and sequel to FIFA Online 3 M.[5] It was later released in November 2018 in Vietnam and Thailand.

On May 18, 2024, there was a announcement that EA Sports FC Online M will be have a major update in the second half of 2024, in which the game will upgrade to a new engine from Unity, along with new exclusive game modes that will be replace four old game modes: Club Battle, Squad Battle, Multi Squad League and World Tour.[6]

FIFA license

With the announcement that FIFA would no longer be licensing its name and brand to EA, Nexon assured fans that the end of the partnership would not affect the service of the game on both PC and mobile.[7] On 22 September 2023, FIFA Online 4 was updated to rebranding name EA Sports FC Online, following the split between EA and FIFA.

Gameplay

The game engine is not part of the Frostbite engine series because of hardware requirements. EA Sports FC Online is mostly based on FIFA 16 which runs on the Ignite Engine[8] and incorporates animations and other components from FIFA 18. The gameplay and AI engine are from FIFA 17.[9]

The game allows players to play regular matches with 2v2 or 3v3 matches like the main series as well as the Ultimate Team feature seen in other games. The game allows the ability to buy players from a marketplace and help build their stats by purchasing items.[10] FC Online have several updates of game modes for the next seasons following the next traditional FC (previously FIFA) games such as House Rules from FIFA 19, UEFA Champions League and VOLTA Live, which was the online version of VOLTA Football from FIFA 20.

Game mode

World Cup Modes

On 24 May 2018, the "World Cup Mode" was announced to be released on 31 May 2018. Two new game modes were introduced, Vs Com FIFA World Cup and Vs User 16 Tournaments. The group stage mode is against computer, while the knockout stage mode are against other players.[11] This "World Cup Mode" was returned in 2022 following 2022 FIFA World Cup.

League game mode

It is a game mode in which you select a club and play the league in which the club belongs. It is a classic content that has existed since its previous work.[12]

However, it is a game mode that is not often used due to the low reward and the widespread use of league simulation items. It is mostly used to increase player experience.

Reception

As of 2022, FIFA Online 4 is the fifth-most popular esport in South Korea.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Nexon unveils new PC game 'EA Sports FIFA Online 4'". Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  2. ^ "FO4 Thailand". Archived from the original on 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  3. ^ "FIFA Online 4 – Launch date". 12 April 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-08-26. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  4. ^ "Vietnam Closed Beta". Archived from the original on 2021-01-19. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  5. ^ "EA lays off up to 100 Austin support staff, Nexon says FIFA Online 4 is safe | Massively Overpowered". 19 May 2022. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  6. ^ "[FC Online M] Engine Update". Facebook. May 18, 2024.
  7. ^ "FIFA Online 4 will be unaffected by EA and FIFA split". 19 May 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-06-29. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
  8. ^ "What Is EA Sports FC Online?". 3 Mar 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  9. ^ "At least it's 'free' this time: EA's PC-exclusive FIFA Online 4". Daily Sabah. 30 August 2021. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  10. ^ "FIFA Online 4: What is it, available countries, when is it coming to the UK, game modes & more". 21 January 2020. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  11. ^ "World Cup mode Fifa Online 4 South Korea". Archived from the original on 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
  12. ^ "GM Galaxy's League Improvement Update Trailer". Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  13. ^ "Top 10 Most Popular Esports in Korea - Best of 2022". 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.