EA partners with Opta to bring new levels of authenticity and realism to the new FC24 game
Electronic Arts (EA) is using Stats Perform to optimise its player ratings and PlayStyles features. The new long-term deal comes ahead of the launch of EA’s blockbuster new EA Sports FC24 game.
Opta’s deep and broad performance data is collected in real- ime across more than 200 men’s and women’s competitions globally. It is at the core of FC24’s flagship new PlayStyles and PlayStyles+ features, which inform how players move and play in the game, based on their real-life strengths and traits. The aim is to bring to life the on-pitch signature skills that make them special and recognisable by fans in the real world.
Michael Mueller-Moehring, head of data collection and licensing at EA Sports, said: “This is an exciting new direction for us. For FC24 we’re seeing the very first introduction of Opta into the game, helping us to validate and optimise our existing processes but going into future years, we’ll see the partnership expand to new heights. Broadcasters, leagues, and clubs globally have used Opta’s data to educate fans about the beauty in the detail of football for over 25 years, making Opta a fundamental and trusted part of global football fans’ lives. That’s exactly why we sought to partner with Opta, to ensure we’re bringing that same level of beauty and realism to our game.”
Carl Mergele, chief executive officer at Stats Perform, added: “Today’s fans enjoy experiencing football in lots of different ways and we’re proud that Opta data continues to be at the core of their experiences, on every screen and format. We are delighted that our ongoing investment in collecting, generating and distributing the fastest, most accurate detailed data has been trusted by EA to play a role in such an exciting new experience. We hope FC24 players will love the added realism that Opta provides and it will bring them even closer to the game and to sport”.
Ahead of the launch of the game, Opta’s massive database of detailed player statistics and metrics across men’s and women’s football was brought to life during the launch campaign of the new Player Ratings and Playstyles, including the key launch video which celebrated the style of play and performance on the real-world pitch of the top-rated players in the game. That video can be viewed here.
Over 30 PlayStyles have been incorporated into FC24 at launch, across shooting, set pieces, crossing, passing, dribbling, duels, headers, tackling, blocking, interceptions and many more.