Leaker Hints at New FIFA Game Developer

gamerant.com:

A newly surfaced rumor suggests that 2K will be the developer of the next official FIFA game. The Novato, California-based publisher was previously said to have been eyeing the FIFA license for years.

2023 marked the first year without a new FIFA game in three decades. Since its inception in 1993, the series has been developed and published by Electronic Arts. FIFA and EA Sports decided to end their partnership in 2022 after the latter proved unwilling to pay the licensing fees demanded by the former. Following that turn of events, EA delivered one final entry in the franchise stipulated by its now-concluded contract, FIFA 23, which was released in September 2022.

And while the company continued putting its football simulation expertise to work with the newly started EA Sports FC series, FIFA decided to start looking for a new developer partner. It is now said to have found that collaborator in 2K, according to a new rumor started by self-dubbed «video game researcher» and Twitter user Kurakasis. Although this individual never claimed to possess insider industry knowledge, they have a years-long track record of digging up scoops like the title of the new Indiana Jones game from public sources.

Breaking with their usual MO, Kurakasis did not attribute their latest leak to any particular source. They have also avoided outright stating that 2K is the new FIFA series developer, having instead opted for coyer wording that merely hints at the allegation. Game Rant's review of 2K and its parent company Take-Two Interactive's IP filing history did not reveal any activity that would point to 2K planning a FIFA game. FIFA itself also didn't file to secure any video game-related trademarks following its breakup with EA. But the football governing body did already confirm that a new FIFA game is happening without EA back in mid-2023.

The notion of that project involving 2K is neither implausible nor new. For one, the company boasts an extensive track record of creating sports