Many fans have not reacted positively to EA Sports' FC24 Ultimate Edition cover, with some branding the game's graphics as 'horrific' ahead of launch. EA FC is taking over from the wildly popular FIFA franchise after the video game company and football's governing body failed to come to a rights agreement.
FIFA reportedly wanted EA to pay $1billion every four years to use its license within its game, at which point EA walked away from negotiations. However, EA FC will not lose its rights to use player and team names, player likenesses and other markers of authenticity.
Despite this, some fans have expressed their dislike of the face scans EA has used to launch its new game, with several likening them to characters out of The Sims. It is the first time EA has created a football game without FIFA in 30 years.
On Monday (July 10), EA posted the new game's cover, and many fans were quick to have their say. On Twitter, Dae_1989 replied: "This is genuinely one of the worst things I've ever seen." Jamiebennett92 put: "Some of those likenesses are horrific". ParrisGaming said: "Looks like the Sims."
The cover features the likes of Ronaldinho, Marta, Marcus Rashford, Mia Hamm, Zinedine Zidane, Bukayo Saka and Alexia Putellas to name just a few. Criticising the cover graphics, DonkTrading added: "Hold up… Some of these players look nothing like them." RadmoreB typed: "Worst cover ever?"
MadnessFc4 joked: "Some of these face scans look like they're from GTA San Andreas". The cover includes 31 footballers, past and present, male and female - which is a progressive move for the new franchise.
While sharing a close of one player's face, Its_menieb wrote: "Why did this cover look so low-budget, also who’s this?" BallinKy_ put: "I am not buying or playing this game until you fix Saka’s face scan."
But response to the new cover wasn't all negative, with some judging it to be a step in the right direction. Shizelle_ wrote: "I love what they've done with this cover man.
"First time I'm seeing this many players on one cover. An actual integration of mens and womens teams together and alot of throwbacks thrown in for continous football culture."
EA FC24 is expected to be released in September 2023, with a recent leak suggesting that the launch date will be September 29, 2023. EA FC24 is expected to be available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.
