FIFA is one of the most popular franchises in the Middle East and deservedly so. The region’s love for the real game, football, has far surpassed any gaming communities, but the truth is, there is a very strong following when it comes to the Electronic Arts’ sports simulator.
The game debuted all the way back in the 1990s and it has ever since been a constant part of the Middle East gaming landscape. Whether that has to do with its simplicity or the fact that football players from some of the biggest franchises are readily available in it.
You can play with Barcelona FC one minute and then switch to Paris Saint-Germain as quickly as Lionel Messi did earlier this year. The sales in the region for the game have been quite impressive with FIFA 21 managing to sell some 750,000 games in its first month across the EMEA region.
Clearly, with that many copies, you can see that locals do appreciate FIFA. However, things have changed and FIFA is not just a video game anymore. As it turns out, you may as well compete in a game of FIFA and that is alright. eSports has taken the world by storm and since 2016 FIFA has been not just a game, but a competitive frontier for many talented players.
Life-long fans of the video game have been pleasantly surprised to find out that they may now finally get to participate in real competitive events in the video game. No small part of FIFA’s success is rooted in the fact that all the top football players recognize the game as fun and even acknowledge its competitive aspect.
Many professional athletes have encouraged fans that are great at FIFA to pursue their dream and play hard. The Middle East region is really no exception. Below, you can find more about the esports ecosystem FIFA has spawned in the region!
FIFA as eSports in the Middle East: It’s Happening!
FIFA is no longer just a video game – it’s an opportunity to showcase your skills and demonstrate what you are capable of playing some of the best esports simulators there are. As a result, the Middle East has cultivated a number of competitions, including the FIFA eNations Cup, Arabia Cup, and many other events.
As it turns out, there is a global eWorld Cup which is played on FIFA and yes, Middle East players are some of the best. But what has driven the passion of Middle East players for simulated football? Well, there are at least several good reasons for that:
- Accessibility of the game overall
- Affordable hardware setup
- Huge fan bases who love football
- A lot of local talent discovering the game
Middle East players are by default competitive and this quality, combined with their love for gaming truly is something impressive. Of course, the local ecosystem has developed not least thanks to third-party sponsors such as the eSports League simply known as ESL today, and Electronic Arts who have made sure to promote their game.
Todd Sitrin, EA Sports VP of eSports, has commented in the past that he is excited to see how far FIFA eSports can get. In a way, he wants to see the game match the popularity of other titles, such as Dota 2, League of Legends, and others.
FIFA is definitely getting there. It’s already considered one of the most popular football betting games in the Middle East. It may sound a little bizarre but it really isn’t. You can find many competitive events and just like people love to bet on real-world football, so do they enjoy betting on digital football just as well.
Do eSports and FIFA Have a Future in the Middle East?
Yes, the Middle East is a region where people DO love to game. What’s more, they love to play competitively and this is a fact. Players in the region are quite welcoming of new opportunities to prove their mettle and FIFA is definitely one of those opportunities.
The game is definitely benefiting quite a bit by the fact that EA has shown real interest in it and that is something that will make it possible for the game to continue developing. Middle East players love all football simulators, including PES 2021, but the FIFA series has long been one of their go-to options.
If there is one great example of how love for real and digital football can be brought together and not divide fans, that simply must be FIFA’s success in the Middle East.