Electronic Arts (EA) has pulled the plug on all previous FIFA game titles from digital storefronts, creating a void in the digital gaming landscape just days before the highly anticipated release of the first EA FC 24 title. Gamers and FIFA enthusiasts who once flocked to their consoles' digital stores in search of the iconic franchise are now met with empty search results, as if a soccer pitch had suddenly vanished into thin air.

FIFA Games Removal Raises Speculations

 Until recently, FIFA fans  could easily access a plethora of FIFA titles, each offering unique gaming experiences at various price points. However, a quick search now yields disappointing results, leaving fans wondering about the motivations behind EA's drastic decision.

A noticeable discrepancy emerges when comparing different gaming platforms. On Xbox and PlayStation stores, FIFA Points, crucial for the Ultimate Team game mode, are still available for purchase, giving players hope for future gaming experiences. In contrast, Nintendo Switch users are left with only free commentary downloads, while Steam users find no trace of previous FIFA titles at all. The absence of FIFA 22 and 23 on Steam, despite their availability on other platforms, raises intriguing questions.

Perhaps the most puzzling aspect of this development is EA's silence on the matter. The gaming giant has not issued any official statement regarding these unprecedented delistings, leaving gamers in the dark about the fate of their beloved FIFA titles. This void of information adds a layer of uncertainty to the situation.

Delisting older sports games, especially those published by EA, is not an uncommon practice in the gaming industry, often making way for newer versions. For instance, Madden NFL 20 is no longer available digitally, yet Madden 21 through 24 can still be acquired on PlayStation and Xbox platforms. Steam users, on the other hand, are limited to Madden 22 and newer titles.

Speculation arises as to whether EA's decision to rebrand its flagship title from FIFA to EA Sports FC, starting this year, played a role in the sudden removal of FIFA titles from digital stores. The rebranding, while potentially signifying a new direction for EA's soccer franchise, might have come with the caveat of discontinuing the sale of even the most recent FIFA titles. The presence of microtransactions for Ultimate Team in FIFA 22 and 23, despite the removal of these titles from digital stores, adds an intriguing layer to this mystery.