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FIFA 18 for Switch to be 'custom built' by EA Vancouver

The developer didn't specify whether the Switch version will share more in common with the current- or last-gen build of this year's FIFA.

David Craddock

February 6, 2017 1:12 PM

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In an interview with Game Reactor, EA's Peter Moore confirmed that the company's Vancouver studio will handle development of FIFA 18 for Nintendo's Switch console (via Nintendo Life).

"Well, as we have said, we are custom-building a FIFA version for the Nintendo Switch," Moore said. "It will be FIFA 18, and it will obviously be later this year when FIFA 18 comes out. What you have will be a custom built version for the Nintendo Switch from the FIFA development team in Vancouver."

Moore's answer is open to interpretation. Although EA announced a Switch version at Nintendo's reveal event last month, "custom built" could mean based on last-gen hardware, or current-gen systems, or somewhere in between.

However the Switch version turns out, the fact that there will be a FIFA game on Nintendo hardware is a big deal. FIFA 16 skipped over Nintendo hardware completely, although FIFA 15 was available on 3DS and Wii.

FIFA 18 is slated for release this fall for a bevy of consoles, a lineup that now includes Switch. Nintendo will release its portable console on March 3 in two SKUs, both of which retail for $299.99.

David Craddock

Long Reads Editor

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.