From three-year development to Everton fandom: inside EA Sports FC 24 with VP David Jackson

David Jackson: It's a common misconception that developing each game only takes a year since we release one annually. That couldn't be further from the truth. It's crucial to distinguish between the business model, or in this case, the publishing model, and software development. The latter governs many aspects of our process. Features in FC 24 took us three years to develop. Even as we speak, we're working on elements players will only see in the future.

The immense effort programmers pour into these games often goes unnoticed and may not seem glamorous. Yet, their task is to anticipate changes not just in football but also on the game's platforms.

Competition is a key motivator in football. Ronaldo had Messi, but what about you? Aren't you bothered by the lack of a clear rival who approaches virtual football differently?

Competition is as vital in our field as it is in football. However, it's misleading to claim that we lack competition. Our battle is for the attention and time of our players and fans. In some ways, our rivals range from Netflix to other big brands. Even though EA Sports has established its own platform for football games, we don't feel like we're in a bubble. Having clear competition in our area would indeed invigorate our developers, marketers, and creative teams. Yet, we also seek inspiration from outside our industry, inspired by the marketing strategies, interfaces, and players themselves of prominent brands.

Was it difficult to dissociate from the previous title and start the series anew?

After thirty years, it's daunting starting from scratch and determining the new direction. We began by strategizing the title itself and its first part - FC. The greatest challenge isn’t the name change, but rather, consistently creating enjoyable games. Games that involve 38 million players across 200 countries and are translated into 19 languages. Ensuring this entire football ecosystem runs smoothly is a formidable obstacle. Overcoming it requires an enormous effort from many talented individuals.

Could you give an estimate of how many people were involved in this project?

That's not easy to quantify. EA Sports itself employs various people, but when you add EA's workforce and our various partners, it complicates the figure. Adding to the complexity is the varying length of involvement by these contributors over a year.

I've been playing FIFA for as long as I can remember. The first was FIFA 98. The music is something that has always stood out to me.

I vividly remember "Song 2" by Blur from FIFA 98. Are you inquiring about the soundtrack for FC 24?

Precisely!

You're in for a surprise! We understand the importance of music in our games and promise to uphold that tradition. We have an amazing team curating the soundtrack with series veterans in mind, who associate the games with particular songs and bands. Think Blur, Kasabian, and Imagine Dragons, to name a few. The FC 24 soundtrack will feature some great tracks, and a few surprises we'll announce later.

Having had the chance to play FC 24 briefly, and hearing other journalists' conversations, it seems the game feels slower.

We hear that every year! I'd argue that the game is becoming more reflective of actual football. I watch a lot of football from various places and have noticed it slowing down a bit. The gameplay isn't as fast but is more tactical now. For example, even though the Premier League is typically fast-paced, clubs like Manchester City display a slower, more technical style of play.

Since you watch so much football, I'm curious about which team you support.

That's easy - Everton. I was born an Everton fan, and I'll die one. Being an Everton fan isn't for the faint-hearted, but it's a lifelong passion. Everyone in my family supports Everton. Sure, supporting giants like Liverpool FC or Real Madrid is simple, but being an Everton fan requires a true heart, no matter how often it gets broken.