FIFA 22 and the Ever-Evolving Relationship Between Sports and Entertainment

Your FIFA 22 cover star is Kylian Mbappe ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/SdvUWO9AJh

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 9, 2021

The video gaming world is a hive of activity, this is particularly true when it comes to sports-related titles like The star casino in Belgium. New entries in the top franchises tend to appear every year, offering a fresh take on the action and some new features for players to enjoy.

We recently highlighted this with our review of F1 2021, but another big sports title is also edging ever closer to its release. Yes, FIFA 2022 is on the horizon and plenty of excitement is already building around the game.

Something new

There is always hype around a new FIFA release, as the titles generally tend to include something different from previous iterations. This has been highlighted in some of the gameplay elements used through the years, with The Journey for example offering up a story mode in FIFA 17.

EA Sports has put a big focus on its use of HyperMotion gameplay technology in FIFA 22. The official site explains how Xsens suits have captured the motion of stars playing at a high intensity. This data has then been used to influence how players and teams, in general, tend to move across the new game.

FIFA 22 will also feature some famous faces from soccer’s past as FUT Heroes, while Goal has covered other changes to Ultimate Team. These include a new seasonal progression system in Division Rivals.

Time to reflect

It is always interesting to reflect on the evolution of FIFA, but the release of a new version is also a good time to consider how the link between sports and entertainment has developed through the years. Of course, this has manifested itself on many occasions through gaming, as titles based around specific sports have become quite common down the years. For example, Stuff’s in-depth rundown of the top soccer games regards International Soccer for the C64 as one of the first great titles. The game itself was released all the way back in 1983.

However, in more recent times, different experiences have brought a more hybrid feel to sports entertainment. For instance, Google Play outlines in detail how an app like the Topps Kick: Soccer Card Trader combines the nostalgia of trading cards with a mobile game-style feel.

Such trends are not just emerging in gaming either. For instance, the online casino industry is another area of the entertainment world where a hybrid approach is thriving. This is highlighted by the way that online casinos have started to offer specific titles that link sports to other previously unrelated areas. A good example of this can be seen in Betway’s live casino section, as it features titles including Live Cricket Roulette and Football Studio. The latter is a baccarat-style title where the dealer also takes the extra step of keeping you updated on the latest football action. They also dress as commentators, while a packed football stadium acts as the backdrop to the experience.

A fresh way to watch

The way that we watch actual sports action as entertainment has also changed in recent years. New technologies have created fresh possibilities and offered up a different angle on how we enjoy what is in front of us.

Last month, Sports Video Group revealed how T-Mobile worked with the MLB to offer new experiences to fans during the Home Run Derby. These included an MLB AR app that featured ball-tracking, statistics, and replays of home runs. T-Mobile also introduced POV cameras on player hats and catchers’ masks, so fans could get closer to the action.

The UK broadcaster BT Sport also introduced some new features to its own app earlier this year. It explained how this included a Stadium Experience, where fans could be transported into stadiums and see areas like the tunnel. Manager Mode also allows viewers to add real-time graphics to the screen as they watch the latest action.

Fascinating time

When all of this is considered, it is truly a fascinating time to be a sports fan. Titles like FIFA 22 are using cutting-edge technology to provide new experiences to players, while other innovations are bringing a fresh twist to how you can follow the action. Finally, sports broadcasting itself is changing, with different services taking the experience to a new level.

It will be fascinating to see how such trends develop in the years ahead and how the relationship between sports and entertainment continues to evolve.