Publisher EA this week announced that it will soon release a free-to-play version of its popular FIFA video games – but only for Brazil and Russia. FIFA World will be out for PC in those countries sometime in November.
FIFA World will have more than 600 clubs from more than 30 licensed leagues, including the Russian Football Premier League and 19 officially licensed clubs from Brazil. The game will include the “Ultimate Team” mode found in FIFA 14, and will be built around it. Players will be able to create their own teams, presumably purchasing top players to fill out their squad.
“Brazil and Russia are priority markets for EA Sports and especially our FIFA brand,” said Matt Bilbey, group general manager at EA Sports. “We are excited to bring to these markets a custom-built, free-to-play PC experience developed around FIFA Ultimate Team. FIFA World will be a fun new way to play FIFA for new fans.”
EA has also announced an closed beta for FIFA World has begun. The game will not feature the graphics quality of FIFA 14, as it has been tooled to be accessible for “average spec” PCs, including laptops.
EA has already experimented with a successful free-to-play FIFA game in South Korea, FIFA Online 3. Access to that game will soon be expanded throughout southeast Asia and China.