As many as you know, the international soccer governing agency FIFA is facing the worst scandal in it’s history. Within hours, twenty FIFA executives between the US and Switzerland were arrested on charges of corruption?. But what are the technological implications?
Since the mid 1990s, FIFA’s soccer video games have been a staple in the gaming community. The FIFA soccer video game franchise is now available in over 50 countries and sold over 100 million copies. It’s the most successful sports game franchise of all-time. In fact, FIFA ’12 sold over 3.2 million copies and made $186 million…in one week! That’s an all-time record for any video game. Despite the scandal, it looks like FIFA gaming isn’t slowing down. EA Sports is releasing trailers for FIFA ’16. It’s expected to be released in September 2015. It will be on all the major systems: XBox 360, Playstation 4, and on your PC. This year, women will appear in the game. This is a first. There’s a You Tube promotional video called “Women’s National Teams Are In The Game”. The FIFA 2016 game will feature women’s team from Brazil, Germany, USA, China, Mexico, and several other nations. And it will include the best women players ever, like England’s Steph Houghton. Of course, the scandal wasn’t mentioned, but they’re plenty of spoofs all over social media.
I’m going to stop talking about FIFA 16 now because I don’t want you to get the game! Sure, it’s a great concept bringing women teams to the game. That’s not the issue. The issue is when you purchase a FIFA game, you’re supporting one of the most corrupt institutions of our lifetime. We’re talking about an institution that leaves nations bankrupt, like they did Brazil. We’re talking about an institution that makes people build stadiums in 120 degree Fahrenheit heat, with little food, water or rest breaks. And thanks to cahoots with the Qatar government, they won’t even let documented workers leave. Why would I want to support an organization like that? And since governments are struggling to put them in their place, our buying power will! ?The week of FIFA 2016’s release, I’d like to see only 32 copies sold. If we shut FIFA down economically, do you think they’ll get the message?