Why is Liga MX Not in FIFA 23? An In-Depth Look at the Konami Partnership Shaking Up Virtual Soccer Gaming

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a lifelong soccer gamer and Liga MX fanatic, I was shocked to find my beloved Mexican clubs absent from FIFA 23‘s vast league roster. Their untimely removal is due to a landmark licensing deal between Liga MX and Konami – one that could forever change the digital football landscape.

The Groundbreaking Liga MX – Konami Pact

In July 2022, Konami rocked the gaming industry by announcing a multi-year partnership with Liga MX, granting them exclusive rights to implement Mexico‘s top soccer league into their eFootball series. This gives Konami full access to all 18 Liga MX teams, players, and even officially licensed stadiums like the iconic Estadio Azteca.

For perspective on how massive this is, FIFA sold over 10 million copies annually during the PlayStation 4 era. Meanwhile, Liga MX viewership in the US trails only the EPL at 37 million per season. That‘s exposure Konami is banking on to revive eFootball and take a bite out of EA‘s soccer gaming dominance.

Severe Side Effects – What Liga MX‘s Absence Means for FIFA 23

Losing the entire Liga MX is an undeniably huge blow to FIFA‘s authenticity and appeal, especially in the coveted North American market. With no Mexican clubs available, FIFA 23 instead includes fictional placeholder teams like "North East Mexico" – a soulless substitution offering no real stadium atmosphere or player familiarity for fans.

On the financial side, EA is also missing out on lucrative Liga MX licensing money. With FIFA 23 on pace to approach nearly $2 billion in total revenue, that income stream could have provided serious value. It may impact their budget for securing other global leagues down the line if costs rise during contract renegotiations.

The removal also has gameplay implications. FIFA‘s immensely popular Ultimate Team mode relies heavily on special player items and squad building variety to drive engagement. Losing Liga MX minimizes options for players seeking to construct creative Mexican hybrid teams.

As a veteran FIFA gamer, these ommissions undoubtedly diminish the experience. It leaves the virtual pitch feeling slightly less authentic and vibrant without the storied history of Mexican fútbol.

When Can Fans Expect Liga MX to Return?

Given Konami‘s multi-year exclusivity deal, Liga MX likely won‘t reappear in FIFA anytime in the near future. However, there are channels EA can explore to mend this content gap:

  • Pursuing Partnerships With Other Latin American Leagues: Adding more top South American leagues could provide refreshed roster variety and content that appeals to Mexico fans as a temporary patch.
  • Investing in Marketing and Mexican Influencer Support: Garnering support from YouTube, Twitch, and Liga MX influencers may help organically drive players of Mexican descent to stick with future FIFA titles anyway.
  • Waiting Out Konami‘s Contract While Monitoring eFootball‘s Performance: If eFootball underperforms on sales expectations, EA could attempt to negotiate Liga MX rights back ahead of schedule while interest and asking price remain lower.

Ultimately though, this saga underscores the seismic power shifts underway in virtual soccer gaming. With Konami going all-in on eFootball and its Liga MX deal, while FIFA prepares to lose its namesake tagline, both EA and Konami grasp the crown of soccer gaming hangs delicately in the balance.

As stadium crowds digitally cheer on their Mexican eFootball Club America vs arch-rival eFootball Chivas Guadalajara matchups, one can‘t help but feel a distinct changing of tide. It seems inevitable that eFootball will make further attempts to chip away at EA‘s stronghold.

Final Thoughts: A Mexico Fan‘s Perspective

As someone who has eagerly awaited the release of every annual FIFA title since childhood, I‘d by lying if I claimed not to feel a tinge of resentment towards Konami for removing my beloved Liga MX against my will. However, from a business perspective – I can‘t blame them. Landing exclusive rights to Mexico‘s wildly popular domestic league gives eFootball an alluring unique selling point versus their stiff FIFA competition.

While I will sorely miss assembling my overpowered Mexican Ultimate Team and demolishing my friends with Chicharito online, I‘m most disappointed Konami now wields the power to fracture Mexico‘s soccer gaming community. By striking this exclusivity agreement, they force Liga MX fans to choose sides – potentially having to abandon playing as lineups, kits and players they feel most culturally connected to if they wish to remain loyal to EA‘s FIFA series.

To Konami executives, I plea: allow your eFootball soccer simulation to succeed on its own merits – without forcibly removing cherished cultural touchstones like Liga MX from rival title‘s orbit. Restore friendly competition rather than severing soccer gaming‘s bonds to a nation so passionate about this beautiful game extended into virtual worlds.

Otherwise, FIFA may soon find ways to demonstrate it never truly needed Liga MX to continue dominating pitch and marketplace alike.

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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