FIFA 20

FIFA 20  

Title: FIFA 20  

Production Company: Electronic Arts Sports  

Copyright: 2019  

Genre: Sports video game  

Awards or Honors: None 

Playing Level: Rated E for Everyone  

Plot Summary: FIFA 20 is an individual or multiplayer sports game played on the PS4 Xbox 360, computer, or phone. The simulation game gives users the chance to play in a highly realistic and accurate game based on different aspects of the professional soccer world. Users can play with each other online for prizes and bragging rights. Users can buy players and online improvements to better their squads. Users can also play in a Career Mode that allows them to control a professional team as a Manager who controls and runs the soccer team. Another mode is Player Mode, where a user can create a player and play a soccer career, making choices along the way to lead them to glory. EA Sports releases a new FIFA game every year, which builds and makes improvements on the previous year’s addition. FIFA 20 was released in October of 2019, while FIFA 21 was released in early October of 2021.      

Company Background: Electronic Arts is a video game company founded in 1982 in the San Francisco Bay Area. They are headquartered in Redwood City, California, a few miles away from Silicon Valley. In addition to the FIFA franchise, they also create the Madden franchise, other sports games, Need for Speed, Dragon Age, and Plants vs. Zombies. The company has been very successful, posting over $5 billion in revenue in 2018. EA Sports has more than 300 million registered players around the world.   

Although they first started in sports, they have now produced games franchises like The Sims, Star Wars, and Medal of Honor. According to the latest reports, the company is now traded on the New York Stock Exchange at around $124 a share. EA Sports has also released apps, desktop passes, and other gaming materials as they diversify and go beyond just making games (About EA, 2020).   

Critical Evaluation: FIFA 20 is the latest addition to the long-running and successful FIFA franchise. The game has many positive attributes that continue to make it popular. The game has also made certain improvements to online modes where you play against others. However, these small improvements have failed to address the many needs that the fanbase has asked the company to address. Many have been left frustrated about no changes to player or career mode. The actual gameplay has also not improved, making it frustrating for players. While the game is popular and successful, many fans have been left disappointed by the lack of improvements asked every year.   

Creative Use: I would have an afternoon during the summer where a library could bring in a video game console and the game and have a FIFA 20 tournament. The summer program would be advertised beforehand and sign up players who wanted to play in the tournament. Snacks would be available, and some prize would also be awarded to the winner. It would be an elimination tournament, and people can come to cheer and watch.   

Speed Talk: FIFA 20 is the most popular soccer franchise in the video game world. Featuring multiple game modes and the chance to play against the best in the world online, FIFA is an institution that builds on itself every year. Play against your friends, play as a manager to achieve global domination, or become a player and achieve fame and success. The possibilities are endless for soccer fans with imagination and skills.   

Potential Challenges: There have been no challenges to the video game at this point from a censorship perspective.   

Reason for Inclusion: I included this game because I like soccer, and I know this game is popular among younger people and teenagers. Many teens don’t play soccer but love the game and become interested based on this game. The game is fun and doesn’t involve any graphic violence and can be played by younger and older teenagers. Parents can relax and know that it is rated E for everyone. It can also get people interested in playing soccer and learning more about the sport and the teams.   

About EA. (2020). EA.com. Retrieved October 6, 2020, from https://www.ea.com/about