- In a move that bridges the gap between traditional sports and blockchain technology, FIFA and Mythical Games have announced a collaboration to launch FIFA Rivals, a blockchain-powered soccer game set to release in 2025.
- The game, designed for iOS and Android, promises to offer a fresh gaming experience where players can manage their own soccer clubs, compete against others in real-time, and enter the world of Web3 gaming.
What happened
FIFA and Mythical Games have teamed up to deliver a new free-to-play experience, FIFA Rivals, which will launch in the summer of 2025. The game allows users to build their teams, compete in arcade-style matches, and establish their legacy in the soccer world, all while tapping into the growing trend of Web3. The game will be powered by Mythical’s Mythos blockchain and secured by the Polkadot network, offering players the ability to own in-game assets, opening doors for a play-to-earn experience.
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John Linden, CEO of Mythical Games, sees the potential for FIFA Rivals to attract more than 100 million players, a bold claim backed by the success of their previous title, NFL Rivals, which has already amassed over 6 million players. While the FIFA World Cup boasted over 5 billion viewers in 2022, and the NFL playoffs saw around 500 million, FIFA Rivals aims to leverage the massive global fanbase of football to draw in a similarly large audience. The collaboration highlights the continued rise of sports associations exploring the possibilities within the blockchain and Web3 gaming, where players can earn from their time spent in the game.
Why this is important
This collaboration marks a significant shift in how sports and gaming are converging with blockchain technology. By incorporating NFTs and offering players true ownership of their in-game assets, FIFA Rivals taps into the growing demand for monetizable gaming experiences. This move is part of a broader trend where traditional sports and blockchain gaming studios are increasingly working together to offer interactive, immersive experiences for fans, and FIFA Rivals could be one of the largest projects in this space yet.
The partnership is also a step forward for Mythical Games, which has previously seen success with their Blankos Block Party game. With the backing of the Mythos Foundation, Mythical Games is pushing forward with plans to onboard more players, developers, and gaming guilds into the Web3 ecosystem. With over $37 million raised in Series C1 funding, Mythical is further investing in its marketplace and other ventures, making FIFA Rivals a key component of its future growth.
The game’s unique blend of soccer fandom and blockchain innovation could shape the future of sports gaming, with FIFA Rivals paving the way for further collaborations between traditional entertainment and the evolving Web3 space.
