FIFA 12: The Best football game since FIFA 11

June 21, 2012 by Harry Howard Leave a Comment

Electronic Arts never cease to impress when it comes to the FIFA franchise. Despite fierce competition from Konami with the Pro Evolution Soccer series, they undoubtedly have a larger fan base, better licensing and arguably, better playability.

When FIFA 12 was released, 3.2 million units were sold in the first weekend. If you compare that to PES, it only got as high as number 5 on the gaming charts; whilst FIFA took top spot. According to Keith Ramsdale, the Vice President of Electronic Arts for the UK and Europe, FIFA outsold PES by 25:1 in its first weekend of release. These figures are, to be entirely honest, very conclusive in showing that the FIFA franchise definitely holds its market dominance tightly within its grip.

EA have not always been ahead in the fiercely competitive world of association football video game development.  In 2006, the PES title was released and it was given 9/10 on IGN*, whereas FIFA 2006 received a slightly lower rating of 8.7/10 on the same console, the PlayStation 2. The better reviews achieved by PES carried on in further releases; in 2008, the FIFA title achieved a meagre rating of 7.7, yet the PES title managed a truly brilliant rating of 9.2

However, with the subsequent releases EA and FIFA have pulled ahead and they have only continued to impress with FIFA 12. When it comes to true football simulation, FIFA is definitely in 1st place. When it comes to playability, the jury is definitely still out as to which title is best. FIFA13.com users who also play PES are the perfect people to comment.

Konami’s inferioir licensing on PES is an issue that has always existed. Obviously EA have it all sewn up with the title of the actual game being the name of world football’s governing body.Almost every aspect of FIFA is licensed; PES, on the other hand has many glaring absences in leagues and teams. Doing a career with Man Red isn’t quite the same is it?

Overall, the FIFA franchise has undoubtedly been and still is a more successful video game franchise. PES fans are dedicated and loyal but perhaps this group will grow smaller as the plethora of FIFA fans grows only larger. FIFA 13 will probably prove to be yet again dominant in the market unless Konami really have a trick up their sleeves with the 2013 edition.