The new name for EA’s FIFA video game franchise may have been teased with the company’s new trademark filings. Speculation as to whether FIFA 22 may be the last game in the franchise to use the iconic name began last week when EA Sports Group GM Cam Weber revealed that the company is currently reviewing its naming-rights agreement with the organization the game is named after, and is considering renaming the FIFA game series. Although, the statement did note that if the studio does decide to push forward with a new name, it’s unclear when the change would occur.

This isn’t the first time that EA has changed the name for its massively popular football video game franchise since its inception almost three decades ago. The game has already gone through several name changes, starting with FIFA International Soccer for its first entry back in 1993 then quickly transitioning to simpler branding with FIFA Soccer and just FIFA. The franchise was also named FIFA Football for a time before going back to the naming players know of today. Interestingly, series’ competitor Pro Evolution Soccer recently changed its name to eFootball, among other significant changes to the series with its latest entry.

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Polygon reports that EA has filed new trademark applications at both the United Kingdom’s Intellectual Property Office and the European Union Intellectual Property Office for the name “EA Sports FC,” hinting at what the series could be named as if the company does decide to part ways with the FIFA organization. Both trademark applications are classified for computer game software and online computer games, which at least lends credence to the new name being used for a video game rather than something completely unrelated.

It’s a bit surprising that EA would consider renaming its FIFA franchise given it tremendous popularity and success. The series is still the record holder for the best-selling sports video game franchise in the world and rebranding it could potentially negatively affect its strong position. It’s possible that EA may be reconsidering its football video game franchise as a whole, which would understandably prompt a branding change, as previous leaks have claimed that next FIFA title will be free-to-play.

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Even if EA decides to not only change the name of its football franchise but also change the business model around it by adopting the currently popular free-to-play games as a service model, it will still be able to pull in its massive legion of long-time fans. However, whether those fans stay long after the changes, if they even occur, is another story. But as long as it doesn’t go the way of the disaster that is eFootball, the franchise should be safe.

Source: United Kingdom’s Intellectual Property Office, European Union Intellectual Property Office (via Polygon)

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Martin Patino
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Martin has been writing for ScreenRant since the middle of 2020. He’s also written for several print and online publications across gaming, esports, and tech over the past 9 years. Some of these include PC World Philippines, Computerworld Philippines, 2.0 Magazine, Gadgets Magazine, GGNetwork.tv, PlayStation LifeStyle, GamingBolt, GameRevolution, UnGeek.ph, and more. Apart from video games and tech, Martin is a also massive anime and manga fan.

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