EA Sports Ready to Reinvent Its FIFA Franchise for Next-Generation Consoles

Electronic Arts’ Sports division is ready to thoroughly reinvent the FIFA franchise when next-generation consoles appear, as it wants to make the whole experience more interconnected than ever.

Next-generation platforms, like the oft-rumored PlayStation 4 or Xbox 720, are coming sooner rather than later, so many video game developers are already thinking about new experiences for the devices.

We have already heard Konami tease that it has big plans for its Pro Evolution Soccer series, which will run on Hideo Kojima’s Fox Engine, and now its rival, EA Sports, has revealed some of the ideas it has for its FIFA franchise.

According to the head of the Sports label, Andrew Wilson, the FIFA team has learned a lot in recent years and is working hard on the future of the series.

"We are working diligently. We learnt a lot through the last transition and we have not rested on our laurels once,” he told CVG.

“I think right now we are the people's game. We have a responsibility and an obligation to them to continue to deliver great games and in the advent of a new console cycle I think we are very well prepared to deliver against that."

EA is banking big on interconnection with other devices and services, according to Wilson, who wants to keep players in the experience for as long as possible.

"When we think of the next generation platforms it's about how we engage you while you're in front of the television and while you're away from the television," he said, "what part your iPhone plays in the overall experience, what part your tablet plays, how you rally an entire community on Facebook to do things that help you when you get back to your console experience.”

"How does that become your central hub for the management of a whole world filled with millions of players that are getting promoted and relegated in virtual football leagues, that are impacted by the real world of football that are following the heartbeat of the season? That's what the future looks like, and the good news is, that's what we're doing now," Wilson added.

As you can see, the EA has some interesting ideas for the FIFA series. What are you hopes for a next-generation installment in the franchise? Share them by leaving a comment below.