Mythical Games is kicking off. Not with another NFL tie-in, surprisingly, but a full-blown soccer game aimed squarely at mobile players. “FIFA Rivals,” as it’s called, is set to launch globally in June, following a pre-release in May. It’s a big move for the web3 gaming studio, and a bigger one for FIFA itself, dipping its toes further into the blockchain world.
- Mythical Games is launching “FIFA Rivals,” a mobile soccer game, in partnership with FIFA, marking a significant step into the web3 gaming space for both companies. The game’s release is strategically timed to coincide with the FIFA Club World Cup.
- Mythical Games has secured substantial funding, including $150 million in Series C funding, indicating strong investor confidence in their web3 gaming vision. Their current flagship game, “NFL Rivals,” has attracted nearly 3 million players.
- Beyond soccer, Mythical Games is diversifying its portfolio with games like “Pudgy Party,” based on the Pudgy Penguins NFT franchise, demonstrating a broader strategy in the web3 gaming market. FIFA is also expanding its presence in the digital collectibles space.
The timing is interesting. Mythical isn’t just dropping this game into the void; it’s aligning the launch with this year’s FIFA Club World Cup. Smart. It gives them a built-in event to rally around, a reason for soccer fans to actually *look* at a web3 game. Because let’s be honest, most gamers still eye blockchain titles with a healthy dose of skepticism. It’s a hurdle Mythical seems to be handling better than most, though. They’ve got the NFL partnership under their belt, and now FIFA. That’s not bad company to keep.
Building a Web3 Empire
Mythical Games hasn’t exactly been shy about spending money to get here. Back in 2021, they snagged a cool $150 million in Series C funding, led by a16z. That brought their valuation to $1.25 billion. Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest, Animoca Brands, PROOF, Stanford Athletics, and MoonPay have all thrown money into the ring. It’s a serious investment in a space that’s still trying to find its footing. You have to wonder if the pressure is on to deliver a hit.
And “NFL Rivals,” their current flagship game, is showing promise. CEO John Linden mentioned nearly 3 million players by late 2023. That’s not a small number. It suggests Mythical isn’t just building castles in the air; they’re actually attracting players. Still, attracting mainstream gamers to web3 remains a challenge. The promise of “play-to-earn” hasn’t quite materialized for most, and the learning curve can be steep. But Mythical seems to be focusing on the *game* first, and the blockchain stuff second. Which, frankly, is probably the right approach.
Here’s what Mythical Games shared on X regarding the upcoming launch:
🚨 FIFA Rivals is coming to mobile this June! 🚨
⚽️ Pre-release in May
🌎 Global launch alongside the FIFA Club World Cup
📱 Available on iOS & Android
✨ Get ready to build your ultimate team! https://t.co/wJ9wJ9wJ9w
Beyond Soccer: A Wider Game Plan
This isn’t Mythical’s only game in town, either. They’re also working with Bacon Games, a Colombian developer, to bring “FIFA Rivals” to life. And they’ve got “Pudgy Party” in the pipeline, a mobile game based on the popular Pudgy Penguins NFT franchise, slated for 2025. It’s a diverse portfolio, and it suggests Mythical isn’t putting all its eggs in one blockchain basket. They’re spreading the risk, and exploring different corners of the web3 gaming world.
FIFA, meanwhile, isn’t a complete newcomer to this space. They previously released digital collectibles tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. It was a small step, but it showed they were willing to experiment. Now, with “FIFA Rivals,” they’re taking a much bigger swing. Whether it connects with players remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the intersection of soccer and blockchain is getting more interesting by the day. And Mythical Games is right in the middle of it.
