EA Sports FC 25 is yet another screaming entry in this long-running series, but it's all about more than just the gameplay.
United States football fans don't typically stem from deep family ties to historic clubs as they do in Europe or South America. On the contrary, football fans in United States have a different starting point.
On the one hand, it was formed in the context of welcoming immigrant families coming to the United States, which led to the rise of many MLS/NWSL clubs and football culture.
But on the other hand, it was also born from phenomena such as video games, specifically EA Sports FC (formerly known as FIFA).
Video games are closely linked to United States culture. Institutional publishers like EA have nurtured many young sports fans,
They enjoy sports such as American football, basketball, baseball, and hockey. But it's fair to say they've done their best in football.
Today's millennial and Gen Z fans and players exposed to United States soccer culture likely grew up playing the EA Sports FC franchise.
As far as players are concerned, this isn't just for professional footballers.
It also affects new-age athletes like the NBA's Donte · DiVincenzo.
DiVincenzo is best known for his three-point shooting ability and scoring ability on the court. But before that, he was destined to become a football star.
Last week, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with DiVincenzo at the EA Sports FC 25 launch event in New York.
When he spoke to me, he was surrounded by SoccerBible's dedicated gallery space,
Celebrating the creativity and diversity of United States soccer culture – it feels fitting to talk to athletes who represent that.
As he looked at the walls, he felt energized. "United States soccer has an aura.
All the players and the team have a style and I think all the cities are behind. I think it's very interesting to be a fan of it,
Because it's not bland, it's not boring, it's very creative and fun," DiVincenzo said.
As an Italy-American United States, DiVincenzo was introduced to football at an early age.
"I've been playing since I was three years old and things are moving fast. Soon I was in an older group.
然后我去了特拉华州一所非常受欢迎的高中(Salesianum School)。
But I soon started feeling burned out, and that's when I switched to basketball," he said.
Obviously, this decision proved to be a good one, and he quickly became a real genius,
and earned himself a college scholarship to the Villanova Basketball Academy. Although he has largely left football behind,
But he never let the influence of the sport leave his side. "I played basketball every day of my life. But as soon as I get any type of ball, I start juggling. ”
EA Sports FC is another way for him to get up close and personal with football.
“Jalen Brunson（前大学队友和 NBA 队友）和我在大学里住在一起，我们每天都玩 FIFA（EA Sports FC）。
We have a game that goes on and on. We play against all kinds of teams.
We learned all about these different leagues and players through FIFA (EA Sports FC),
DiVincenzo said. Therefore, his excitement about the new game is understandable. DiVincenzo is not just another big name in the brand's campaign,
He's also a diehard and just as excited about EA Sports FC 25 as those who booked it.
"I'm really excited about the new moves in the game. Ball control, foot technique and the way you control your pass. ”
This particular feature is one of the most anticipated (and subsequently critically acclaimed) aspects of the game. This is a broader aspect of the new FC IQ system.
This allows players to engage in more strategic control and realistic collective movement at a team level.
After we talked, DiVincenzo took to the big screen (with Mitch · Perth) to play Alex ·Carpenter and Dougie · Hamilton.
Here he came into contact with another new feature of the game, 5v5 Rush.
Exciting new modes get the race into super-high speed, bringing more action and more goals.
While Carpenter and Hamilton eventually overtook him and Poole, you can see that his experience in the Villanova dorm still applies.
In addition to DiVincenzo, I saw the diversity of talent who played Rush. Legends such as Tim · Howard and Ronaldinho have played their own games.
The room was filled with the people who make up the modern fabric of United States football culture, representing all walks of life and bound together by their love for this video game series.
When guests leave the event with the new EA Sports FC 25 and SoccerBible's Creative Football Culture Insights Paper, it feels like a full loop moment.
The three archetypes in our insight paper (i.e. CSC Vanguard - Curious, Student, Convert) are thanks to the EA Sports FC franchise.
The game welcomes the curious, educates and entertains students, and deepens the bond of converts. EA Sports FC 25 will keep this pace going,
Especially in the United States, where the love of video games and global sports is combined to perfectly express this beautiful game.