Electronic Arts has confirmed new licensing deals that will bring the original names and faces of Botafogo and Bahia players to EA Sports FC Mobile. Esta partnership marks a significant moment for virtual football fans on the Brazilian scene, establishing a new standard of authenticity for the mobile version of the acclaimed football game.
The initiative reestablishes the presence of licensed Brazilian athletes in the game, something that did not happen a decade ago. The last time real players could be seen in the franchise was in FIFA 16, released in September 2015, highlighting the complexity and uniqueness of this achievement for the clubs and the producer.
This move by EA aims to meet a long-standing demand from the gaming community at Brasil, which has always expressed great passion for national football and authenticity in digital experiences. The inclusion of clubs promises to intensify user engagement and solidify the representation of South American football on the global platform.
Brazilian legislation, which requires the individual negotiation of image rights with each athlete, has historically represented a significant challenge for the inclusion of real players in football games. Diferente from other countries, where leagues can negotiate collectively, Brasil has a complex legal environment that demands specific agreements.
Return of athletes after a decade
The absence of real names and faces of Brazilian players has been a reality since the edition of FIFA 17, launched in 2016.
Electronic Arts faced a long period of adaptation and negotiations to overcome legal barriers, seeking models that guaranteed the sustainability and transparency of agreements. The current success with Botafogo and Bahia represents a considerable step forward, paving the way for future expansions.
For fans, the return of authentic players means a much more immersive and realistic gaming experience. Identification with the teams and their stars is a crucial factor in the emotional connection of users, which directly impacts satisfaction and the time spent on the application.
The official Bahia and Botafogo uniforms and crests were already available in FC Mobile’s “My Time” mode, but the addition of real athletes takes authenticity to a new level. Agora, players will be able to create squads with their idols with visual and nominal fidelity.
Integration of players and events in the game
New Botafogo and Bahia players will be incorporated into specific groups of athletes within EA Sports FC Mobile. Starting with the Ginga event, users will have the chance to obtain these players, who will also be available through internal game systems, such as Drafts and Mercado, always subject to their availability on the system.
The Ginga event, which serves as a starting point for obtaining these licensed athletes, is a regular competition focused on PvP modes (Jogador versus Player). Ele rewards participants weekly based on their rankings, encouraging active participation and strategy development.
The inclusion of real players not only enriches the gameplay, but also enhances the Mercado dynamics within the game, where users can buy and sell athletes. Isso adds a strategic and economic layer, reflecting aspects of the real football transfer market and further engaging the community.
The strategy of making it available through events and the market ensures that the arrival of new players is a continuous and engaging process, encouraging players to actively participate in the different modalities of the game. Essa progressive approach maintains newness and excitement for an extended period, generating constant anticipation among fans.
Perspectives of those involved in the partnership
Jeff Sharma, vice president of brand at EA FC, emphasized the importance of listening to the Brazilian community, recognizing the players’ passion for football and authenticity. “It was really important for us to make sure we were moving forward and providing a more authentic experience for these players,” Sharma said in an interview.
He explained that the choice of Botafogo and Bahia was strategic, considering the clubs’ history and pre-existing relationships with other entities, which facilitated licensing negotiations. Embora the exact duration of the agreements has not been revealed, the focus is on sustainability and long-term impact.
Paula Young, head of commercial activations and international relations at Botafogo, highlighted that the official presence at EA Sports FC strengthens the club’s connection with its fans and expands its global visibility. Já Rafael Soares, director of marketing and business at Bahia, highlighted that authentic inclusion allows us to “bring this identity to life for the fans in new and interactive ways.”
The clubs’ response reinforces the understanding that presence on digital platforms such as EA Sports FC Mobile is vital for fan engagement, especially younger generations. Essas partnerships transcend the playing field, becoming important marketing and brand expansion tools for teams.
Challenges and the future of licensing
The Brazilian image rights system, characterized by its requirement for individual negotiations with athletes, remains a complex challenge for game developers. Essa particularity drives Electronic Arts to work directly with clubs and players to ensure transparent and viable agreements.
The success of the current partnership with Botafogo and Bahia could set precedents for future negotiations with other clubs on the national scene. EA continues to look for opportunities to increase the authenticity of its gaming experience, not just in Brasil, but around the world, always in line with fan expectations.
Asked about the inclusion of Brazilian clubs in the console and PC versions, Sharma stated that there is still no news to be shared, indicating that the current focus is on the mobile platform. Contudo, the company keeps a close eye on the market and player demands for future expansions.
Currently, EA FC already has Brazilian clubs competing in the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sul-Americana, thanks to a licensing agreement with the Conmebol. However, these clubs still appear with generic players, without their real names and faces, which highlights the importance of the progress made with Botafogo and Bahia on mobile.
Consecrated voices maintain partnership
Electronic Arts also confirmed the multi-year renewal of its partnership with narrator Gustavo Villani and commentator Caio Ribeiro, ensuring the continuity of their voices on EA Sports FC. Villani, since 2020, became the game’s iconic voice in Brasil, while Caio Ribeiro, in the franchise since 2012, has contributed to 15 titles.
The duo, who have already recorded more than 125 thousand lines of dialogue for the most recent version of the game, are essential for the immersion of Brazilian players. The familiarity and quality of the narration and comments add a layer of professionalism and entertainment, elevating the experience to the level of real television broadcasting.
