Ronaldo financing his own free-to-play soccer game, UFL
By Brian Allen
As I've mentioned, EA's decision to split with FIFA opened up lots of avenues for competition on the soccer game front. There are a number of competitors, rumored and real, coming for the crown. But only one has the financial and tactical support of one of the world's best players.
UFL is a free-to-play soccer game hoping to reach 15 million players in its first year. Rather than an annual release, they will put out a single version and update it regularly, ala Fortnite or Apex Legends. Cristiano Ronaldo is backing the game financially, with Strikers, Inc. handling the development.
Every player in the game can be earned with in-game currency, but of course if you want to give them some money they'll happily take it. The model has been successful for countless free-to-play games, but can it work with pro soccer? Ronaldo is part of a consortium that has reportedly spent more than 32 million pounds believing it can.
Players in UFL's collecting mode are unlocked through reputation, which you gain by winning games. There's a competitive tournament system in place too. UFL's very best players will receive invites to an in-person tournament to show their skills to the world.
More than 1 million people played its June beta. Another common test went live on Aug. 26. This is before the end of the FC 25 beta on Aug. 27. Probably not a coincidence. The control scheme is basically a carbon copy of the FC series, so the muscle memory will be there for veteran players.
It launches Sept. 12 on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.