The sports game market is easy to predict. Every year, a fresh title is released that enjoys high sales but offers little difference from its predecessor. Largely, it’s rinse and repeat every 12 months.
A mantra of “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” comes alongside a market dominated by big studios. From EA Sports to 2K, the sports game market is cornered whether your sport of choice is soccer, basketball, wrestling, or American football. But that could be about to change.
In the soccer market, UFL is ready to make a mark. After a highly successful open beta in May, which attracted over 1.6m participants, a second, and hopefully final, open beta takes place this weekend. And, after speaking to the developer, I’m more excited than ever.
Since the launch of its Ultimate Team mode, EA FC (previously FIFA) has dominated the market with new, rarer items released into the game weekly in promos, allowing you to assemble a dream squad of players past and present. The life cycle only lasts a year, however, and once the year is up, it’s time to upgrade to the latest entry and start from scratch.
That won’t be the case in UFL, as Strikerz Inc. head of publishing Alexander Bohomolskiy explained in an exclusive interview with Dot Esports. Instead, the aim is to flip an “old-fashioned” genre onto its head.
“People are forced to buy what is basically the same game every year,” Bohomolskiy told us. “Not only that, they are forced to start from scratch. We think this is too old-fashioned.”
UFL‘s biggest difference from the likes of EA FC is a free-to-play model, which includes some familiar mechanics like loot boxes and battle passes, and while EA FC has a yearly new release in autumn, everything is permanent in UFL.
“We’re not going to implement any sort of wipes. Players will keep their items no matter how old they are,” Bohomolskiy explained.
The exception, understandably, is in a case where the developer can’t feature a specific player, kit, or stadium anymore, but if that occurs and assets need to be removed, players will be compensated.
So, how does a free-to-play EA FC rival make money? The answer, unsurprisingly, is a mechanic gamers are all too familiar with: Battle passes and loot boxes. Again, though, there are some major differences.
Loot boxes in UFL “will not contain players” and, instead, contain “cosmetic elements” like skins. These skins change the appearance of a player’s card in the UI and can provide small boosts, like earning soft currency slightly faster or gaining experience quickly.
Some more unique skins provide on-field bonuses, essentially stat boosts for the players featured, but Bohomolskiy described the boosts as “very, very small.” Overall, skins are for those who want a different look, not a huge boost to on-field performance.
Players, meanwhile, are obtained only through soft currency, earned from in-game progression, and cannot be purchased for real money. Whether they’re a local player from your boyhood club or a global superstar, the approach is the same—grow your club and purchase new players when eligible.
It’s not just about assembling a mega-squad, however, as there are aspects of UFL that will appeal to those looking for a more long-term approach. If you want to stick with players you like, whether they’re from a smaller club you support or just a particular player you have an affinity with, you can improve these players to go toe-to-toe with the very best.
As Bohomolskiy put it, “If someone wants to play with players they are familiar with, why should we restrict that?”
On top of this, there is no risk of falling behind and missing out on the drop of top-quality players who are only available for a limited time. Instead, UFL is played entirely at your own pace—a refreshing approach in an industry where it feels games are constantly fighting for your attention.
As Bohomolskiy explained, “the game will not punish low activity” and “will not promote extra spending time.” Naturally, you may miss out on some skins and boosters from battle passes you might have missed, but it’s not something that will leave you adrift of everyone else.
All of this sounds very exciting but, from my perspective, the most exciting thing I picked up from speaking to Bohomolskiy is the passion he has for the title and his understanding of what players desire.
I don’t expect UFL to dethrone EA FC from its perch at the top of the mountain anytime soon, but after years without a competitor, UFL‘s entry into the market could be exactly what the genre needs.
