The Rise and Fall of FIFA‘s Journey Mode: What Happened and What‘s Next

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

FIFA‘s "Journey" mode, which allowed players to guide rising football star Alex Hunter through his career, was discontinued after FIFA 19 to the disappointment of many fans. This narrative-driven campaign mode brought the off-pitch drama of being a footballer to life over three hugely popular games.

But why did EA Sports remove this fan favorite? What replaced it in later FIFA titles? And could the Journey possibly make a comeback down the track? As a lifelong FIFA gamer and football enthusiast, I‘ve done some digging to uncover everything we know.

The Journey‘s Sudden Ending Left Fans Wanting More

After following Alex Hunter rise up the football ranks in FIFA 17, 18 and 19, the Journey mode was suddenly dropped. This was surprising given the largely positive reception from reviewers and calls from fans to keep Hunter‘s story going.

While EA Sports did not give specifics on their decision, shifting resources to developing their new street football mode Volta seems the most likely reason. Possibly they weren‘t seeing enough players engaging with or spending money within the mode. Or maybe they felt three games was enough to tell Hunter‘s tale and wanted to try something fresh.

Personally I think The Journey still had legs – thousands of FIFA gamers clearly agreed! The characters grew on us over the years; we bonded with Alex, Danny Williams and even Alex‘s grandad Jim. The finale was satisfying but still left doors open for more adventures. Who wasn‘t keen to keep controlling Hunter into the prime years of his career?

What The Journey Did Well…and Where It Fell Short

Looking back, The Journey got a lot right but had room for improvement. Unlike the bland career modes of FIFAs past, it made you truly connect with protagonist Alex Hunter. Seeing him face very relatable challenges – overcoming family issues, dealing with fame, fighting for form and trust of different managers – made you sympathize and pull for him to win.

Letting you shape Alex‘s personality through dialogue choices added another layer. And playing as other characters like Danny Williams and Kim Hunter mixing things up nicely too.

But eventually The Journey began feeling quite scripted, with too many off-pitch cut scenes interrupting the football. Limited ability to customize Alex‘s appearance or truly mold his skillset was also frustrating for some.

Surveys found young players loved rising from obscurity to unlocking Hunter‘s potential; older fans preferred getting him to the top as quickly as possible. Catering to both wasn‘t easy!

Volta Football Filled the Story Mode Void – But Didn‘t Satisfy

When FIFA 20 landed without The Journey, the brand new Volta mode was prime attraction instead. Inspired by the old but beloved FIFA Street series, Volta has you playing small-scale street kick-abouts across cage courts and rooftops. This gives matches a very different, grittier vibe from the polished stadiums fans are used to.

FIFA 21 took Volta further with "The Debut" sequel continuing the previous title‘s story mode. You build your male or female avatar player, guide them through the Volta World Championships, unlock soccer legends as mentors, then compete in the grand finale in Rio.

But popular as Volta has been, most Journey devotees don‘t see it filling the same hole. Volta is all on-pitch action without the personal connection to characters that made Alex Hunter resonate. And The Debut‘s thin storyline wasn‘t compelling enough to grab attention like Hunter‘s dramatic journey did.

Could EA Bring Journey-Style Modes Back in Future Titles?

Right now there‘s no word on Journey mode or anything similar being included in FIFA 23, as EA focuses gameplay tweaks over narrative. But looking at fan reactions online, they‘d be smart to revisit story campaigns at some point! Maybe not a Hunter return but spiritual successors with equally captivating characters?

Journey veterans have floated some brilliant concepts for fresh storylines:

  • Start as a promising teenager like Alex Hunter, but focus on women‘s football rather than replicating his path
  • Guide a young player in Alex‘s situation but let choices shape a unique career path – footballer, manager, or even celebrity if popularity skyrockets!
  • Play as retired legends managing clubs through highs and lows à la Football Manager meets The Journey drama. Imagine mentoring talent like the next Ronaldo or Neymar!

If crafted engagingly, story modes exploring off-pitch action could again become a real drawcard differentiating FIFA from rival sports titles. Of course it can‘t detract from finely tuned core gameplay. But used judiciously around matches, TV episode-style plotlines and decision points could help players connect with stars better than ever.

Here‘s hoping EA Sports decides to kick off a new era of story modes in the not too distant future. Because Alex Hunter can‘t be the only rising phenom with tales worth telling!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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