EA’s future with Nintendo Switch depends on FIFA 18 success

Electronic Arts has said its continued support for Nintendo Switch will be determined by the success of FIFA 18 on the console.

Speaking with EDGE magazine, EA Worldwide Studio’s executive vice president Patrick Söderlund explained the company’s potential future on Switch.

“What I will say is, we will appear on any platform where there are consumers, and players. We believe that we want to be a part of the Switch, and help Nintendo grow that installed base; that’s why you’ll see FIFA, which by the way is really good this year. It’s a full-fledged FIFA game, for the first time to be honest, on a portable device.”

Much like Capcom did earlier this year with Ultra Street Fighter 2, EA appear to be testing the waters in regards to what works and what doesn’t on Nintendo’s console.

Related: Best Nintendo Switch Games

Söderlund continues by saying that resources dedicated to titles must correspond to the number of players active on the platform, which is usually the worry for third parties.

“We have to look at it from a resource standpoint and, at some point, the numbers become a factor. So for us it’s about supporting the platform, building technology for the platform, testing it out with big things like FIFA – and maybe a couple of others, we’ll see – and if they go well, I see no reason why we shouldn’t have as much of our portfolio on that platform as possible. I hope we get there, that would be my personal ambition.”

FIFA 18 is set to launch on September 29 for PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Having played FIFA 18 briefly on Nintendo Switch, we can say it’s a great version of the game albeit with some minor omissions. The Journey, FIFA 18’s solo campaign, is completely missing from the package.