EA recently held its Investor Day 2024, where they laid out big plans for the future, putting a strong focus on AI and the continued growth of EA SPORTS FC.
For fans of EA SPORTS FC, the event offered a glimpse into a future where new technology and community-driven content are shaping the future of the game.
AI: The Core of EA’s Strategy
Early in the presentation, EA’s CEO, Andrew Wilson, made it clear: “AI is the very core of our business.” He wasn’t just saying it for effect. EA is fully committed to integrating AI across everything they do. With more than 100 active AI projects focused on improving efficiency, expanding experiences, and pushing new boundaries, AI is on the path to change the way EA makes games and connects with its players.
AI is speeding up game development, helping EA build games faster, cheaper, and better. One example is College Football 25, which includes 150 unique stadiums and over 11,000 player likenesses, many of them created using AI.
On the creative side, AI is also being used to build richer game worlds and smarter characters, making everything feel more immersive. Wilson sees AI as “the next big opportunity for EA to unlock long-term value.”
And they’re going further with AI, exploring new forms of interactive entertainment. Generative AI, in particular, is opening up new possibilities for things like sports simulations and user-generated content (UGC), giving players more ways to enjoy their favorite games.
The Rise of EA SPORTS FC
EA SPORTS FC continues to be a cornerstone of EA’s portfolio, showing remarkable growth and engagement. Since rebranding from FIFA, the series has seen major success with 21 million active players each week and over 8 billion hours of gameplay played.
Wilson also revealed that EA SPORTS FC is expected to bring in over $1 billion in net bookings for FY25, showing just how healthy and popular the franchise remains. This growth is being driven by a focus on innovation and community engagement.
A big highlight from the event was the announcement of the EA Sports app, which aims to take EA SPORTS FC beyond just gaming. Launched in Spain with La Liga, the app combines sports content, challenges, mini-games, and social features, creating a hub where fans can play, create, and connect in one place.
Community and UGC
EA’s Investor Day underscored the importance of community and UGC. With 60 million hours of UGC created and 3 billion hours watched on platforms like Discord and Reddit, it’s clear that players aren’t just consumers; they’re creators.
Wilson pointed out that “half our community engages with UGC,” showing how EA’s games and their fanbase have a two-way relationship. For EA SPORTS FC players, this means more ways to customize their game, share highlights, and connect with other fans.
AI-Driven Innovations
Beyond enhancing current games, EA is also exploring new kinds of interactive experiences powered by AI. EA’s Chief Strategy Officer, Mehir Vaidya, discussed their plans for AI-driven social ecosystems like Project Air, which aims to blend real-world and virtual interactions with AI-driven characters and experiences.
These new innovations could change how fans engage with sports, turning them from passive viewers into active participants.
The Future is Interactive
EA’s Investor Day 2024 gave us a glimpse into a future where AI and community-driven content are central to their strategy. For EA SPORTS FC players, this means more immersive gameplay, stronger community ties, and ongoing innovation to keep the game exciting.
With AI leading the way, it looks like EA isn’t just following trends, they’re shaping them.
