FIFA World Cup History & Evolution One ball. Two goal posts. Twenty-Two players. Eighty thousand spectators. Millions of viewers. Billions of fans. Soccer (more commonly known as football) is one of the most played, viewed, and celebrated sports in the world, and it is also my favorite sport.
Thanks to the efforts of video game developer EA Sports, the soccer community has been blessed with a game that is far more than just addicting: FIFA. FIFA is a video game series first released by EA sports in 1993 and soon grew to be one of the most famous video games in the world. Now sold in more than 80 countries and available in more than 20 languages. FIFA has come a long way since its initiation. Let’s highlight some of the major improvements and technical enhancements made to the game over the years.
Released on 15th December 1993, FIFA 94 was the great grandfather of all the FIFAs.
Even though this FIFA only used national teams and didn’t use real player names, its unique use of isometric technology made it revolutionary. With the advent of FIFA 96, we began to see the use of real-time 3D graphics along with real-player names and the ability to change team formations and make transfers. This is a huge upgrade within the span of 2 years! FIFA 98 was labelled as a rather iconic FIFA. Since it included a World Cup simulator, the famous English footballer David Beckham on its cover, and the first official soundtrack.
It was looking like EA was making some real progress in the 1990s.
However, things started to move slightly downhill during the 2000s. EA received several negative reviews about how FIFA 2000 had worse graphics than its previous counterparts. Furthermore, the players were tough to control. Nevertheless, EA bounced back in 2003 with revamped graphics and more realistic-looking players. Moreover, the very first skill moves in the game. (I still struggle to use skill moves, but they are honestly my favorite part of the game.) FIFA 06 also brought in the feature of “team chemistry”. Where players from the same countries and the same leagues would play and coordinate even better together.
EA revolutionized FIFA even further in 2011.
Bringing an entire new Career Mode to the game in which users could play as Club Managers as well as goalkeepers. FIFA 11 also had improved graphics and more realistic movements of players. With the addition of a new game engine called Ignite.
FIFA 14 came in with a much more advanced Artificial Intelligence.
As a result, making it tougher for users to beat the computer and hence amplifying enjoyment.
FIFA 17 and FIFA 20 introduced two new game modes, the Journey and Volta Football respectively. Which gave users a wider variety of ways to enjoy and enhance their skills in-game. Over the years, we also see specific players play similarly to how they actually play in real life. In addition, with their iconic celebrations programmed as well.
I’m talking about Cristiano Ronaldo’s heavy runs, Lionel Messi’s insane dribbling skills. And the iconic hand movements Erling Haaland makes when he runs.
We also have Ronaldo’s iconic “Siiiiii” celebration. Pobga’s famous “dabs”, and Dele Alli’s “floss” that was adapted from another game called Fortnite.
From an early pixelated graphics and a more retro feel with a very small set of teams. All the way to insane 3-D graphics, more realistic-looking players and gameplay. And a ton of new features!
In conclusion, FIFA has come a long way from being a new revolutionary form of gameplay. To one of the most played and celebrated video games in the world.
Written by Arjun Kejriwal
Edited by Phil Kim, Avhan Misra & Luca Vernhes
