By Mitch Rice
Football (or soccer, if you’re across the pond) isn’t just a sport – it’s a full-blown global obsession. It’s on our screens, in our stadiums, and, most importantly, in our games. The moment pixels could vaguely resemble a football, gaming set out to capture the magic of the sport. From the legendary FIFA days to the rise of eFootball, football has shaped gaming just as much as gaming has shaped football. And let’s be real – eFootball is proof that a tactical game inspired by a real sport can become its own esports powerhouse.
Early Football Games: When Pixels Met the Pitch
The first football video games were, let’s be honest, pretty bad. If you’ve ever played Pele’s Soccer (1980) on the Atari, you’ll know what I mean. It had stick figures, a ball that barely moved like a real football, and gameplay that made actual football fans cry. But hey, it was a start.
Then came Sensible Soccer in the early ‘90s, which introduced a top-down view and actual gameplay depth. Games started looking like football and, more importantly, feeling like football. The ball moved more naturally, passing started to matter, and skill became a thing.
The real game-changer, though? FIFA International Soccer (1993). This was the first major step toward realistic football gaming. The isometric view, licensing, and more fluid animations meant that for the first time, gamers felt like they were controlling real teams. It was the kind of innovation that set the stage for competitive gaming as a whole – whether you were scoring goals in FIFA or checking out upcoming Dota 2 matches, the thrill of high-stakes virtual competition was here to stay. It’s about related emotions and experiences.
A great example of football’s influence on gaming is how FIFA’s yearly releases mirrored the evolution of real-life football tactics. When tiki-taka ruled the world in the late 2000s, FIFA adjusted, making possession-based play more viable. When counter-attacking football gained prominence, the game mechanics followed. Football wasn’t just inspiring video games; video games were reflecting football’s tactical trends.
The Rise of FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer (PES)
By the late ‘90s and early 2000s, two giants emerged – FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer (PES). FIFA had the flashy licenses, real player names, and official stadiums. PES? It had gameplay. The eternal debate was born: realism vs. fun, simulation vs. arcade.
During the PS2 era, PES was king. It nailed fluid passing, realistic movement, and mechanics that made every match feel like a chess game. FIFA, meanwhile, was struggling with clunky gameplay but still had the power of official branding.
Then, FIFA struck back. By the late 2000s, FIFA reinvented itself with better mechanics, Ultimate Team, and online play. PES, despite its cult following, started falling behind.
One of the biggest influences real football had on gaming was the rise of player-driven teams. The introduction of Ultimate Team in FIFA 09 changed gaming forever. Gamers now had to build teams, manage chemistry, and collect players, just like real-life football managers. The addictive loop of packs, squad-building, and competition made FIFA not just a football game but a football business simulator.
Football’s Influence on Esports and Online Play
Football is built on competition, and video games followed suit. Early FIFA and PES games were mostly couch multiplayer experiences. But as online gaming exploded, so did competitive football gaming.
FIFA’s esports scene grew massively with the FIFA eWorld Cup, featuring players who trained just as intensely as professional footballers. The skills needed – reaction time, strategy, mental resilience – mirrored those of real players.
Meanwhile, the rise of Football Manager took things in a different direction. Instead of controlling players, you became the mastermind behind a club. Many real-life managers admitted to using Football Manager for scouting (yes, this is real). The game became so detailed that some clubs started hiring data analysts who were previously just FM players.
A standout example of football influencing gaming mechanics was the introduction of tactical tweaks based on real-life football philosophies. When managers like Guardiola or Klopp revolutionized tactics, Football Manager adapted, allowing players to implement pressing styles, positional play, or park-the-bus strategies. Football wasn’t just inspiring gaming—it was integrated into gaming.
The eFootball Era and the Future of Football Games
PES rebranded itself as eFootball in an attempt to shake up the football gaming world. The idea? Free-to-play, live-service updates, and a new focus on realism. The execution? Well… let’s just say the launch was rough.
But the shift to a constantly evolving football game makes sense. Real football changes every season, so why shouldn’t video games do the same? Instead of releasing a new game every year, developers are now looking at long-term updates – mirroring how real teams evolve.
Another major shift? Virtual Reality and AI-driven football games. With VR improving, we might see full immersion where you are the player, making decisions on the pitch in real-time. AI is also getting better at mimicking player behavior, meaning future games might be less about button-pressing and more about tactical decision-making.
And let’s not forget about blockchain and NFTs creeping into the football gaming world (for better or worse). Games like Sorare mix fantasy football with cryptocurrency, creating a new way to interact with football beyond traditional gameplay.
Conclusion
Football has influenced video games in ways we couldn’t have imagined decades ago. From pixelated blobs kicking a square ball to fully motion-captured, AI-driven simulations, gaming has evolved alongside the beautiful game.
But perhaps the biggest takeaway is this: football and video games aren’t separate worlds anymore. They’re interconnected. Players train with FIFA’s skill games. Coaches use Football Manager for scouting. Fans experience football culture through gaming. And as technology keeps advancing, one thing is clear – football’s influence on gaming isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.