Take-Two Weighs FIFA License for Console Soccer Sim Amid Challenges and Opportunities

Creating a console-quality soccer simulation isn't as simple as acquiring the FIFA license and jumping into development, according to a senior official at Take-Two. This insight was shared amid recent speculation that 2K is interested in acquiring the FIFA license.

After a 30-year partnership, EA Sports and FIFA ended their collaboration in late 2022. FIFA reportedly demanded $250 million annually to renew EA's video game license. Consequently, FIFA 23, released in September 2022, was EA's last soccer simulation before rebranding the franchise as EA Sports FC. Since then, rumors have circulated that Take-Two's 2K Sports might be interested in acquiring the license.

FIFA License Is Just Part of the Soccer Rights Puzzle, Says Take-Two

During Take-Two Interactive's recent earnings call, CEO Strauss Zelnick discussed the complexities of creating a console-quality soccer simulation. He explained that the FIFA license is only a small piece of the puzzle, as it doesn't cover image rights for players, teams, or non-World Cup competitions. To offer a game with substantial licensed content, Take-Two would need to negotiate with numerous rights holders, Zelnick said, according to Seeking Alpha 's transcript of the August 8 earnings call.

Overall, developing a console soccer simulation is an "incredibly difficult" task that "takes a long time," Zelnick noted. However, he didn't rule out the possibility of competing with EA Sports FC, acknowledging that producing AAA soccer simulations "right" could attract a dedicated and loyal player base.

Take-Two Already Has a Presence in Soccer Gaming

Zelnick also pointed out that Take-Two is already involved in soccer gaming with its ownership of Top Eleven, which he described as "the number one mobile soccer manager title" globally. Top Eleven is developed by Serbian studio Nordeus, which Take-Two acquired in June 2021 for up to $378 million. According to its Google Play Store listing, Top Eleven has achieved over 100 million downloads on Android.

While these comments were made in response to a question about 2K's interest in the FIFA license, Zelnick didn't directly address the query. However, he highlighted Take-Two's expanding sports franchise portfolio, which includes NBA, NFL, WWE, tennis, and golf, expressing confidence that the company will continue to grow its sports gaming division "in due course." Regardless of whether Take-Two pursues AAA soccer simulations soon, FIFA, the world's leading soccer governing body, has insisted that another FIFA game will be released without EA.