You don’t have to be football crazy or an avid gamer to have heard of the all-conquering FIFA franchise. What you might not know is that this latest edition will be the last release to bear that name, thanks to a parting of the ways between football’s governing body FIFA (that’s Federation Internationale de Football Association, acronym fans) and developers EA Sports.
There’s no disputing that the game’s been an immense success – but what’s less impressive is its tendency to look defensively shaky against some online threats. Young players aiming to recreate their football heroes’ exploits can be at risk from abusive opponents, expensive in-game purchases and the “just one more game” mentality. This week’s NOS #WakeUpWednesday guide tackles FIFA 23.
A frequent complaint from FIFA aficionados is that the marquee ‘Ultimate Team’ mode doesn’t take place on – if you’ll excuse the pun – a level playing field. Gaming skill, of course, remains an integral factor – but the odds are increasingly stacked in favour of ‘pay-to-win’ users, who are prepared to spend real-world money on better in-game players for their team. That’s a bugbear in gaming terms – but in an online safety context, it’s a significant risk. This reliance on in-game purchases can compel young FIFA fans to spend serious money on improving their squad or put them at the mercy of internet scammers. We’ve got tactical tips for helping little superstars to play FIFA more safely in our #WakeUpWednesday guide.
