Celtic partner with new football game; aims to compete with FIFA and PES

By Euan Davidson

January 14, 2022

Celtic have signed a new commercial deal with Strikerz Inc., a gaming company aiming to battle with FIFA and PES.

Strikerz Inc.’s ‘UFL’ has no release date as yet, but it’s building a burgeoning reputation in the gaming community. With FIFA and PES (now eFootball) dominating the football video game market for so long, UFL is aiming to go shoulder to shoulder with EA Sports and Konami.

Part of that effort to go up against the big names is securing rights to significant teams. Celtic are the latest [Celtic FC], joining West Ham, Borussia Mönchengladbach, AS Monaco and Beşiktaş. Strikerz has also struck licensing agreements with Shakhtar Donetsk and Sporting Club de Portugal.

The free-to-play game is intended to be released on consoles before too long. FIFA 22 and eFootball 2022, the free and revamped PES offering, came out in the Autumn of last year.

CEO at Strikerz Inc., Eugene Nashilov, said [Celtic FC]: “Celtic epitomises the spirit of the game. They forged their success through tireless hard work and made their name heard everywhere from the terraces of Glasgow to the shores of Australia.

“That’s a perfect example of what we’re trying to achieve with UFL – and what we expect from our players.”

A full gameplay trailer is expected to land this month, although teasers have already been released [@UFLgame].

Celtic join bold new frontier as UFL attempts to enter market cornered by FIFA and PES

The football video game market, where Celtic fans are concerned, has been a strange one over the last few years.

While FIFA and PES, now eFootball, have had licensing rights to the Scottish Premiership, only the latter have had player likenesses and Celtic Park. FIFA, though the dominant product, often infuriates players with its scattergun player ratings, and lack of detail on Celtic stars.

PES, eFootball, whatever you want to call it, had an official licensing partnership with Celtic in recent years. However, their latest effort hasn’t been entirely embraced, free though it is.

As Nashilov said in an interview with IGN: “Football video games have been on the market for more than 25 years.

“However, the games on the market today have failed to innovate: over the years, football simulators have barely updated themselves to keep up with modern gaming trends, mechanics and business models. The community has been complaining about it for years.”

So, giving gamers a new choice, away from FIFA and PES, is probably a good idea. And if Celtic can climb aboard early, then Strikerz Inc. have effectively cornered a big market already.

As their CEO said, the Celtic support is massive. And casual players from Australia and particularly Japan will want to go as Ange’s Celtic, whatever game they choose.

For those that grew up with classics like FIFA 99 and Pro Evolution Soccer, the wild new frontier of free, regularly updated games seems a little strange. But that’s the way games are going. The most important thing is a game that looks good, has the licenses and player likenesses for Celtic, and that plays well both locally and online.

Hopefully, this is it.

Read more: New Celtic signings already wowing teammates at Lennoxtown; fantastic update