Why is FIFA 22 Free on PS4? Decode Sony‘s Power Move

As a long-time FIFA gamer and industry watcher, I was pleasantly surprised when PlayStation announced FIFA 22 as a free PS Plus game in May 2022.

PlayStation Plus Free Games Drive Subscriptions

Offering hit franchises like FIFA 22 for free is a strategic play by Sony to boost PlayStation Plus subscriptions and retain existing members.

As per a Sony earnings report, there were 48 million PS Plus subscribers in Dec 2021 – a huge audience of monthly active users.

Giving away full games for $0 extra cost incentivizes fans on the fence to subscribe and current members not to cancel renewals.

Sony has disclosed these free monthly game offerings cost them over $400 million per year – so it‘s a big investment!

But the gamble pays off – PS Plus members spend more on new games and DLC compared to non-members. So Sony recoups value by nurturing a loyal, engaged subscriber base thanks to freebies like FIFA 22.

With an Ultimate Edition FIFA every year costing $99.99, getting 12 months of FIFA for the $59.99 annual PS Plus fee is an easy call for fans to continue renewals.

Surprising FIFA Pricing Trends across Platforms

While new FIFA game releases are usually predictably priced at $59.99, things have been mixed recently:

FIFA 21

• PS5/Xbox Series X – $69.99 (premium for next-gen)
• PS4/Xbox One – $59.99

FIFA 22

• PS5/Xbox Series X – $69.99
• PS4/Xbox One – $59.99
• Free via PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass!

So older consoles have often seen discounts or giveaways to build engagement even with annual new FIFA game releases.

Sony cleverly avoided anger from PS4 owners by providing the same full FIFA 22 for free that PS5 owners paid $70 for!

My Prediction for FIFA 23 Pricing

Given increasingly vocal fan complaints about $70 pricing for new PS5/Xbox Series X games, I expect FIFA 23 to buck the trend and retain standard $60 pricing across next-gen consoles.

With PS4 support still continuing until at least 2025, Sony can‘t risk alienating that large PS4 install base either. EA/FIFA also have incentives to keep player volume and spending high despite rising dev costs.

FIFA 22‘s Xbox Game Pass Free Release

Sony‘s move offering FIFA 22 for free to PS Plus members in May 2022 came shortly before Microsoft added it to Xbox Game Pass in June.

While Xbox trumpets the Game Pass library as an unbeatable value, PlayStation counters with monthly freebies for subscribers too.

Game Pass Libraries Compared:

So Xbox Game Pass does offer far more titles for the same or higher subscription costs.

However, PlayStation Plus monthly free games are yours to keep permanently even if membership lapses.

With Game Pass, if you stop paying the monthly fee, you lose access to all the 100+ games including FIFA 22.

So while Xbox provides substantially higher quantity, PlayStation offers more flexibility if you just want to grab select free games forever like FIFA releases.

Analyzing Impact of Free Releases on FIFA 22

Giving away FIFA 22 for free across major console platforms hints at some concerning trends for publisher EA Sports:

Player Base

As per EA‘s reports, over 9 million FIFA 22 copies were sold in its first 3 months since launch.

But after the PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass free promotions, FIFA 22‘s player base has likely crossed 35-40 million based on subscription membership numbers disclosed by Sony and Microsoft.

So while unit sales took a hit, the free offerings have exposed the FIFA franchise to many more new players who could invest long term.

Increased Monetization Avenues

The base FIFA 22 game was free on PS Plus and Game Pass, but the controversial FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) mode still allows spending money on player packs and cards.

So while initial retail revenues dropped due to the free base game, EA recoups value via in-game FUT microtransactions.

In fact, offering free access could motivate reluctant players to finally indulge in FUT spending given the $0 barrier to entry!

Is Free the Future?

I predict free-to-play is EA Sports‘ eventual endgame plan for the FIFA franchise once player habits have been conditioned for in-game purchases.

Just like popular free games like Fortnite, Genshin Impact and Apex Legends that earn billions via in-game cosmetic microtransactions, EA plans the same for FIFA down the road.

The first step was the free-to-play FIFA Online 4 PC exclusive for Asia. The next step was testing waters with free console promotions for the flagship FIFA 22 titles on PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass in 2022.

Once EA Sports FC launches to replace the FIFA series, I expect free access for all as the new normal by 2026.

Will FIFA 23 Come Free to PlayStation Plus?

While I was caught off guard by FIFA 22 as a monthly free PS Plus game in May 2022, it has set new expectations of similar promotions for future franchise releases.

Can we realistically expect FIFA 23 also free on PS Plus eventually? Here is my expert industry perspective:

Past Timeline

Looking back, FIFA 22 arrived on PS Plus in May 2022 – around 7 months after its October 2021 launch window.

Likelihood for FIFA 23

With FIFA 23 launching on September 30, 2022, it likely won‘t hit PS Plus until May 2023 if past timelines repeat.

Of course, Sony could always spring an early surprise to beat Xbox Game Pass in offering the biggest new sports game release for free first!

Forecasting the Future

Given EA Sports FC will replace FIFA-branded games from 2024 onwards due to licensing changes, Sony has an incentive to overpay for high-profile free FIFA promotions as a last hurrah.

Expect FIFA 23 on PS Plus membership sooner than later to hook players before EA‘s renamed franchises kicks in.

Free access before players migrate to EA Sports FC would get Sony‘s new PlayStation Spartacus tiers valuable breathing room.

So I strongly believe PlayStation Plus members will get both FIFA 23 and FIFA 24 for $0 extra as free monthly games after the typical 6-8 monthearly exclusive sales window for EA.

Summing Up the Analysis

In closing, PlayStation caught industry watchers off guard by offering the full FIFA 22 package free to PS Plus subscribers in May 2022.

This was likely the first of many free FIFA monthly giveaways for Sony console owners until licensing forces adoption of the rebranded EA Sports FC franchise after 2023‘s FIFA 24.

Microsoft has countered for now with addition of FIFA 22 and older FIFA catalog to Xbox Game Pass.

But with console wars heating up, expect both giants to aggressively use free high-profile games as loss leaders to retain loyal subscribers.

Exciting times ahead as fans reap benefits from competitive platforms bidding wars for our wallets through great incentives like free FIFA access!

What do you think? Will we see FIFA 23 free sooner rather than later? Let me know in the comments section!