Why EA SPORTS FC Mobile Joined the Snapdragon Pro Series

As a seasoned gamer and football enthusiast, I find this partnership between EA Sports FC and the Snapdragon Pro Series to be a game-changer (pun intended). Having witnessed the evolution of gaming and sports over the years, it’s refreshing to see mobile esports gaining traction. The accessibility of high-powered mobile devices has democratized gaming, making it possible for anyone with a phone to compete on a global stage.

ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) and Qualcomm Technologies Inc. recently welcomed EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile to the world’s largest multi-title mobile esports ecosystem, the Snapdragon Pro Series.

Through this collaboration, the game marked a significant milestone as it became the inaugural Electronic Arts release within the platform’s lineup and simultaneously debuted as the initial sports game offered in the Snapdragon Pro Series.

The initial season for EA SPORTS Football Club Mobile is currently being played out in Latin America. In this energetic region filled with fervent mobile gaming enthusiasts, players are making their way through the challenging qualifiers to secure a spot in the final round, known as the LATAM Snapdragon Mobile Challenge, which takes place in São Paulo from December 14-15, 2024. This is the very first offline event for EA SPORTS Football Club Mobile that will take place in Latin America.

Before the much-awaited final chapter of this exciting collaboration unfolds, we had a chat with two crucial figures involved: Sam Braithwaite, Vice President of Game Ecosystems, Mobile at EFG, and Sam Turkbas, Senior Director of Esports from EA SPORTS. In our discussion, they share their thoughts on the partnership’s origins and their goals moving forward. We also delve into the upcoming São Paulo event and the unique experiences it promises for both participants and spectators.

What inspired the partnership between Electronic Arts (EA) and ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) to bring EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile into the Snapdragon Pro Series?

Sam Braithwaite (EFG): For several years now, EFG has been working closely with EA across various projects within our portfolio. This collaboration spans from helping organize the Apex Legends Global Series to producing the EA SPORTS FC 24 tournament at the Esports World Cup. At the Snapdragon Pro Series, we constantly seek out and back mobile games that fans are excited about, and we’ve found EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile to be one such game. This partnership not only strengthens our existing relationship with EA but also allows us to bring one of the world’s most popular mobile sports titles to millions of players and competitors worldwide.

Sam Turkbas (EA): Since there’s such an enthusiastic fanbase for EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile, we’re always seeking chances for the community to interact and compete in the global sport. Partnering with EFG to incorporate EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile into the Snapdragon Pro Series is a terrific chance for our players to express their fandom and support top EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile players from LATAM as they battle it out.

EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile is notably the first sports game to join the Snapdragon Pro Series’ roster of offered titles. With soccer being such a global phenomenon, how much potential does this title have in creating a unique name for itself and paving the way for other sports games in mobile esports?

As a Passionate Gamer (APG): With over 140 million players worldwide tapping into EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile each month, it’s no surprise that this game is not just a favorite sports game but also one of the most-played mobile games out there. The global love for football, combined with the Snapdragon Pro Series catering to players of all abilities, provides us gamers an incredible chance to instantly connect and engage with fellow fans.

Sam Turkbas (EA): We’re thrilled that EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile is the inaugural sports game in the Snapdragon Pro Series. EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile represents a seamless continuation of worldwide soccer enthusiasm, offering gamers a chance to express their love for football on a virtual field using one of the most convenient gaming platforms available. The Snapdragon Pro Series seems tailor-made for our game, and we can’t wait to see how the community responds.

The first Snapdragon Pro Series season for EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile is currently underway in Latin America. How much of an effect did the game’s passionate regional community play in the decision to host the game’s inaugural season in LATAM?

Sam Braithwaite (EFG): To suit every region’s taste, we create programs based on their preferences. For instance, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is a huge hit in Southeast Asia, whereas fans in North America and Europe prefer titles like Call of Duty: Mobile or Brawl Stars. By adjusting our offerings to match regional tastes, we have established a global program that caters to the main player groups, and we aim to replicate this success with EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile.

As a fervent admirer of the digital world, I can’t help but feel exhilarated by the rapid expansion of mobile esports in Latin America. With its unmatched enthusiasm for both mobile gaming and football, this vibrant region has made EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile an integral part of local gamers’ lives. Given this fervor, it’s only fitting that the Snapdragon Pro Series competition finds its ideal home here, making it a truly remarkable destination for gaming enthusiasts like myself.

Sam Turkbas (EA): Latin America is filled with football enthusiasm and gifted players, and EA SPORTS FC forms an integral part of football culture, mirroring how fans express their love for their favorite athletes and clubs. We’re incredibly proud of our football collaborations in LATAM and the genuine representation of these partnerships within the game.

It’s terrific that, with our enthusiastic EA SPORTS Football Club mobile fans across Latin America, we get to debut the game in the Snapdragon Pro Series for the first time, and this offers us an opportunity to honor and rejoice in our colorful community in the region.

In your experience, what are the foundational pillars of an engaging esports circuit, and how have you tried to implement them in the current cycle?

Sam Braithwaite (EFG): The cornerstone of creating an engaging, successful ecosystem is creating opportunities for fans of all skill and interest levels to plug into it. You can see this in the Snapdragon Pro Series’ structure, where amateur players can compete alongside their friends in Open-level tournaments, pros can strive to qualify for Mobile Challenge or Mobile Masters events, and casual fans can pick up tips and tricks by watching at home. That level of accessibility – paired with the variety of titles and genres we support – is the bedrock of how the Snapdragon Pro Series has become the largest multi-title mobile esports league in the world.

Sam Turkbas (EA): A key foundation in any exciting esports league is that players enjoy competing. We sensed a strong desire for competition within EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile, and the enthusiastic response from the community to this tournament confirms this. Furthermore, providing opportunities for people of all skill levels to play, watch, create, and interact to celebrate their passion and fandom is crucial in fostering a successful program. We’re eager to observe the fans’ reactions, understand what they appreciated, and grow from here.

São Paulo will host the LATAM Snapdragon Mobile Challenge 2024. Brazil is known for its spirited esports fanbase. Have you felt this fervent excitement leading up to the event?

Sam Braithwaite (EFG): Last year at the Mobile Masters, Latin American teams showed their love for mobile gaming competitions for the first time, aiming to qualify for a Snapdragon Pro Series global championship held in their own region. With millions of participants and the excitement fans brought to the Mobile Masters, we’ve already witnessed the enthusiasm of Latin American mobile esports fans, and we can’t wait to feel it again during the Mobile Challenge Finals in December.

What activities and other experiences can players and viewers expect to see when the Snapdragon Mobile Challenge kicks off at the Komplexo Tempo?

Sam Braithwaite (EFG): Before the main event kicks off at Komplexo Tempo, there’s an engaging preliminary competition happening. In this tournament, participants can register on-the-spot, and four lucky competitors could directly qualify for the Play-In stage. For those who believe they have the skills to challenge top players, this is their opportunity to prove it against the region’s best. To add to the excitement, we’ll also offer various games and activities such as virtual penalty shootouts, accuracy and speed tests, table tennis soccer, and more – all in honor of EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile and Latin America’s enthusiasm for mobile esports.

Looking to the future, how do EA and EFG plan to build an esports ecosystem that allows players to progress from casual to pro status?

Sam Braithwaite (EFG): The arrangement of the Snapdragon Pro Series now provides EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile players with a greater number of chances than ever to create their unique routes towards professional play. This could involve extending the game to additional regions or maintaining competitions across three different skill levels. Our aim is to ensure that competitive premier opportunities are accessible to a wide range of fans.

As an enthusiast myself: By establishing chances for growth in grassroots, amateur, and professional leagues within EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile, I can embark on my journey towards becoming a pro. This platform offers me the chance to improve my skills, compete, and eventually reach top-tier events. These opportunities materialize through in-game competitions as well as collaborations with partners like Snapdragon Pro Series. Now, more than ever, anyone with a phone can join this exciting path to professional gaming via EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile.

Beyond fostering a competitive environment for EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile, what broader impact on players and communities do you hope to achieve through this partnership?

Sam Braithwaite (EFG): For a long time, there’s been a negative perception about mobile video games and sports titles, suggesting they don’t qualify as legitimate esports. However, the very aspects that critics cite – mobile gaming and sports games being aimed at casual players – are what have made EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile such a successful mobile esport. The global popularity of this renowned franchise and the accessibility of advanced mobile devices have fueled a wave of enthusiasm for EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile esports. Our partnership with EA through the Snapdragon Pro Series not only challenges this stigma but also offers innovative, fan-focused experiences to players worldwide.

Sam Turkbas (EA): Approximately 3 billion individuals worldwide enjoy gaming, each having a distinct approach to interacting with their favorite games. We understand that players of EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile engage for various reasons, some for competition, others for relaxation, and many as an expression of their love for football. Our goal is to offer top-tier experiences and gameplay areas for all these gamers, and a competitive program is crucial in achieving this. Our collaboration with the Snapdragon Pro Series aims to develop significant experiences for our players that further fuel their passion for EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile.

MobileMatters collaborates with ESL FACEIT Group, the team responsible for organizing the Snapdragon Pro Series tournaments.

2024-12-13 15:31