On 28 September 2018, EA shipped another instalment of its FIFA series, FIFA 19. The game was released on PC(via Origin), PS4, Xbox One and Switch. While the information about the game was accurate on the Origin, PS4 and Xbox One storefronts, Nintendo & EA made mistakes on the game’s Switch page.
For context, FIFA 19 was developed on EA’s Frostbite Engine for the PC, PS4 and Xbox One versions. However, for the Switch, it was developed separately on EA’s Ignite engine, which, for the FIFA series, was last used to develop FIFA 16 for the PC, PS4 and Xbox One versions.
Same goes for FIFA 19’s singleplayer story-mode The Journey, which narrates the story of young footballer Alex Hunter as he journeys through his career. It was developed in the Frostbite engine and thus, wasn’t a part of the Switch version. “We intentionally chose to create a custom experience on Switch because we were looking for a flawless 60fps experience”, said game producer Andrew Lazarescu in an interview with USGamer. “Maybe there are some gaps between our custom engine and the Frostbite Engine, but every year we’re not just looking to add more future, we’re also looking to build up the engine to cover those gaps. And it’s just Year 2, after all.”
According to reports, EA has possibly been working on Frostbite Engine support for the Switch. Nintendo hasn’t officially confirmed the information since then and we still don’t have any solid information on the matter.
However, Nintendo’s American and Canadian websites have mentioned the game to have been “Powered by Frostbite™” engine, and that the game includes “a dramatic finale to the story of Alex Hunter in The Journey: Champions, a new mode in the ever-popular FIFA Ultimate Team™”. Either Nintendo is rolling out an update with Frostbite support and the inclusion of The Journey, or the company has updated the game’s description with completely false and misleading information.
The description on the Switch page reads –
Powered by Frostbite™, EA SPORTS™ FIFA 19 delivers a champion-caliber experience on and off the pitch. Led by the prestigious UEFA Champions League, FIFA 19 offers enhanced gameplay features that allow you to control the pitch in every moment. There are new and unrivaled ways to play, including a dramatic finale to the story of Alex Hunter in The Journey: Champions, a new mode in the ever-popular FIFA Ultimate Team™, and more. Champions Rise in FIFA 19.
This is the same description as the ones on FIFA 19’s Origin, PS4 and Xbox One pages. The description, however, isn’t present on other Nintendo websites including Nintendo’s main Japanese website. Rest of the Asia Pacific and European websites don’t seem to have the aforementioned misleading information as well.
Translated (via Google Translate) –
In “FIFA 19”, a champion is born.
“FIFA 19” will deliver an experience that only champions can taste inside and outside the pitch. UEFA Champions League brings evolution to gameplay “FIFA 19” can control every moment on the pitch. A new mode of FIFA Ultimate Team ™ that boasts high popularity, a new experience in kick-off mode, etc., is packed with one unique way of enjoying it.
Take a closer look at the description on Nintendo UK’s website. This is the same description available across all other Nintendo websites. Interestingly, Nintendo.com had the exact same description on July 26, 2018 (via Archive.org).
Nintendo then changed the description later, as captured on January 13, 2019.
However, it has since been changed to the misleading one.
There isn’t clear evidence as to when the change was made and whether or not it was done purposely.
In the United States, the federal government regulates advertising(in this case, false advertising) through the Federal Trade Commission, with the goal to prevent and not to punish. False advertising is considered a part of civil law and not criminal law, that orders “the advertiser to stop its illegal acts, or to include disclosure of additional information that serves to avoid the chance of deception.” (via Wikipedia)
While the known population might consider it a minor issue, it might be deceptive towards players purchasing the game who read the misleading information. And considering Nintendo’s unclear refund policy, the case would only get worse.
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