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What's the story?
In a world where the only thing constant is change, it seems that EA Sports are ready to move with the times in a fashion that has never been seen before. In fact, such is the impact of this rumoured inclusion, that it could stop the release of games such as FIFA and Madden on an annual basis.
Yes, you heard that right. Speaking to Bloomberg TV recently, EA Sports CEO Andrew Wilson considered the possibility of having FIFA and Madden release as subscription services instead of physical copies. “The greatest disruptor to the consumption of entertainment media in the last five years has been the combination of streaming plus subscription,” Wilson said. Hinting at streaming networks such as Netflix, Wilson raised speculation over having something similar in the world of gaming.
In case you didn't know...
FIFA is currently available on an annual basis with a new game releasing each year. While the sales continue to be high, the demand and need for having more digital-based gaming continues to grow and that could translate to having game updates instead of a game each year.
The heart of the matter
The logistics of making digital subscriptions work continues to be a major question. It would require a lighting quick Internet connection which may not be immediately available. Massive file sizes are almost a certainty with a game like FIFA and it would require quick networks for the process to work.
However the move would be revolutionary and as talk continues to grow louder, this could just be a matter of time.
What's next?
For now, FIFA 18 continues to run according to the existing system but come next year, we could be in for a host of changes.
Author's take
Netflix may have revolutionized the way we view television, but EA Sports could be the one to revolutionize the way we go about playing our favourite video games. And it promises to be an exciting journey.
