The problem with video game microtransactions isn't unique to EA and EA FC 24 Coins, but it does highlight why the partnership between the two could have ended. A self-branded soccer game from EA will almost certainly have microtransactions, whereas the next EA Sports FC game could break away from all that. In order to truly succeed, the next EA Sports FC game should focus on gameplay - making a quality soccer title that cares more about offering well-developed entertainment than shaking players down for cash.

At this point, it's really too early to know if the next EA Sports FC game will be good, but EA ending its license seems hopeful. As one of the most popular franchises in the world, EA Sports FC deserves a quality game that appeals to longtime fans and newcomers. A game focused more on teams, career modes, customizability, and multiplayer would be much better than one primarily concerned with microtransactions.

EA Sports FC is the head organization forFut 24 Coins the most popular sport in the world, and the video game series which carries its name has been a perennial bestseller for publisher Electronic Arts since 1993. The games are also often the last released for a given console generation. However, with EA's recent announcement that it will no longer publish EA Sports FC games after 2023. that longstanding relationship has come to an end. But fans of the franchise shouldn't expect it to end; rather, it will move to a different publisher. Which companies are the most likely to take up the license?

Most known for developing the WWE and NBA 2K series of games, 2K Sports is a label of the studio 2K which definitely has the experience with a long-lasting sport franchise that EA Sports FC's new developer would want. Getting the EA Sports FC license would also be a big get for 2K's parent, Take-Two Interactive. Admittedly, the studio's sport isn't association football, and the NBA 2K brand has slumped in recent years. Still, there are plenty of great NBA 2K games out there, so it isn't like the studio couldn't provide great EA Sports FC games.

Regardless of whether or not Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard goes through, the studio still has to focus on ensuring that it puts out bestsellers, and gaining a EA Sports FC license would be a great addition to its portfolio, alone or under Microsoft. Activision's heavy involvement in esports could also bring a welcome spin to EA Sports FC; the game has a built-in fanbase who already love the sport of football. It's not hard to imagine that many of those fans could also transfer over to esports through a EA Sports FC gateway.

The Australian developer Big Ant Studios may be a new name for many gamers, and that's hardly a surprise. Yet, they've had experience making cricket and rugby games, so there's definitely an existing pedigree for this type of game. What makes Big Ant a contender, however, is the reported goal of founder Ross Symonds to make Big Ant "the largest developer of sports entertainment software in the world" after it was acquired by, and made a subsidiary of, French developer Nacon. EA Sports FC would do that, so don't count this studio out.