Rumors that FIFA 14 will be included with each Xbox One have been confirmed today by Microsoft during its Gamescom press conference.
The company actually announced that all pre-order Xbox One consoles "in launch countires in Europe" will include a digital version of a "blockbuster game." The first being EA's best-selling sports franchise FIFA 14, while stock lasts.All pre-orders to date and pre-orders from today will include FIFA 14, while stocks last.
"All pre-orders to date and pre-orders from today will include FIFA 14, while stocks last," Microsoft said. It's unclear what Microsoft will offer once supplies run out, or for markets in Europe in which the Xbox One won't release in November 2013. Microsoft recently acknowledged that the Xbox One will no longer be available in 21 markets worldwide at launch in November, with many of the European markets now having to wait until 2014.
Today's announcement could be Microsoft's way of still attracting those affected markets, though it's believed to be more of an effort to add value to the system without having to lower its £429 ($499) release day price. As it stands, the Xbox One — thanks to the Kinect — will retail for £80 ($100) more than PS4; however, the PS4 throws in a free, somewhat-limited version of Driveclub with each system. Microsoft's decision to include FIFA 14 — or some other digital blockbuster — should help compete with Sony's £349 ($399) price.
Unfortunately, it remains to be seen if a similar offer will be made to us over here in the U.S. or in other non-European markets.
