We interview EFG's Sam Braithwaite and EA SPORTS' Sam Turkbas about the new partnership that will see EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile join the Snapdragon Pro Series.
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) and Qualcomm Technologies Inc. recently welcomed EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile to the world’s largest multi-title mobile esports ecosystem, the Snapdragon Pro Series.
This partnership saw the game become not only the first Electronic Arts title to join the ecosystem’s roster of offerings but also the first sports title available in the Snapdragon Pro Series.
EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile’s inaugural season is currently underway in Latin America. This vibrant region, boasting a passionate community of mobile gamers, will witness players rise through the competitive qualifiers as they fight to earn their place in the final stage, the LATAM Snapdragon Mobile Challenge, in São Paulo between December 14-15, 2024 - the very first EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile offline event happening in LATAM.
Ahead of this highly-anticipated grand finale, we spoke to two key figures behind this collaboration: Sam Braithwaite, VP of Game Ecosystems, Mobile from EFG, and Sam Turkbas, Senior Director of Esports from EA SPORTS. In our interview, we get their insights on how the partnership came to be and what they plan to accomplish together. We also dive into the upcoming São Paulo event and what it has in store for both players and viewers.
What inspired the partnership between Electronic Arts (EA) and ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) to bring EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile into the Snapdragon Pro Series?
Sam Braithwaite (EFG): Over the past few years, EFG has continued to collaborate with EA across our portfolio – from supporting the production of the Apex Legends Global Series to producing the EA SPORTS FC 24 tournament at the Esports World Cup. At the Snapdragon Pro Series, we’re always looking to identify and support the mobile games we see fans have an appetite for, and we identified EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile as one of those titles. It’s not just a natural extension of our relationship with EA, but an opportunity to bring one of the most popular mobile sports titles in the world to millions of fans and competitors globally.
Sam Turkbas (EA): With so many passionate EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile fans, we are always looking for opportunities for the community to engage with and compete in the world's game. Working with EFG to bring EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile to the Snapdragon Pro Series is a fantastic opportunity for our players to celebrate their fandom and cheer on the best EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile players in LATAM as they compete.
EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile is notably the first sports game to join the Snapdragon Pro Series' roster of offered titles. With soccer being such a global phenomenon, how much potential does this title have in creating a unique name for itself and paving the way for other sports games in mobile esports?
Sam Braithwaite (EFG): EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile boasts 140 million monthly active players globally, making it not only one of the most popular sports games in the world but one of the most-played mobile games. A lot of that is attributable to how accessible football is. The ubiquity of the sport and game, paired with the Snapdragon Pro Series offering opportunities for competitors of all skill levels, gives us an opportunity to make an immediate impact on fans.
Sam Turkbas (EA): We are proud that EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile is the first sports title to be a part of the Snapdragon Pro Series. EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile is a natural extension of global football fandom, allowing players to realize their passion on the virtual pitch through one of the most accessible forms of gaming. It’s a perfect fit for the Snapdragon Pro Series and we are excited to see how the community reacts.
The first Snapdragon Pro Series season for EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile is currently underway in Latin America. How much of an effect did the game's passionate regional community play in the decision to host the game's inaugural season in LATAM?
Sam Braithwaite (EFG): With all of our titles, we develop programs that cater to each region’s preferences. While Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is immensely popular in Southeast Asia, North American and European fans prefer IP like Call of Duty: Mobile or Brawl Stars. By tailoring what we offer to regional interests, we’ve created a global program that supports core player bases – and we aim to do the same with EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile.
Latin America is one of the fastest-growing regions for mobile esports in the world, and EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile is incredibly popular amongst local fans. Between the region’s passion for mobile gaming and football, EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile has become a mainstay amongst local gamers, and that’s why it’s the perfect region for Snapdragon Pro Series competition.
Sam Turkbas (EA): Latin America is a hotbed for football passion and talent, and EA SPORTS FC is a part of the fabric of football culture and a natural extension of how fans celebrate their favorite players and teams. We are incredibly proud of the football partnerships we have across LATAM and how those are authentically represented in-game.
With the passionate EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile fan base in Latin America, it’s fantastic that we can have the game be part of the Snapdragon Pro Series for the first time and celebrate our vibrant community in the region.
In your experience, what are the foundational pillars of an engaging esports circuit, and how have you tried to implement them in the current cycle?
Sam Braithwaite (EFG): The cornerstone of creating an engaging, successful ecosystem is creating opportunities for fans of all skill and interest levels to plug into it. You can see this in the Snapdragon Pro Series’ structure, where amateur players can compete alongside their friends in Open-level tournaments, pros can strive to qualify for Mobile Challenge or Mobile Masters events, and casual fans can pick up tips and tricks by watching at home. That level of accessibility – paired with the variety of titles and genres we support – is the bedrock of how the Snapdragon Pro Series has become the largest multi-title mobile esports league in the world.
Sam Turkbas (EA): The first pillar in any engaging esports circuit is that players want to compete - we felt there was a passion for competition in EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile and the amazing reaction from the community to this tournament proves that. Additionally, creating touch points for those of all skill levels to play, watch, create, and connect to celebrate their passion and fandom are important aspects of creating a thriving program. We are excited to see the fan reaction, learn what they liked, and build from here.
São Paulo will host the LATAM Snapdragon Mobile Challenge 2024. Brazil is known for its spirited esports fanbase. Have you felt this fervent excitement leading up to the event?
Sam Braithwaite (EFG): We got our first taste of the region’s passion for mobile competition during last year’s Mobile Masters, where for the first time, Latin American teams competed to qualify for a Snapdragon Pro Series global championship hosted right in their backyard. From millions of participants to the electricity fans brought to Mobile Masters, we’ve already seen the passion of Latin American mobile esports fans, and we’re looking forward to experiencing it once again during December’s Mobile Challenge Finals.
What activities and other experiences can players and viewers expect to see when the Snapdragon Mobile Challenge kicks off at the Komplexo Tempo?
Sam Braithwaite (EFG): One of the most exciting activities taking place at the Komplexo Tempo is a pre-event tournament that’s happening right before the main event starts. In this tournament, players can sign up on-site, and four competitors have the chance to directly qualify for the Play-In stage. For fans who think they have what it takes to face off against top players, this is their chance to step up and beat the region’s best. In addition to that, we’ll have games and activities including virtual penalty kick, precision and speed challenges, table tennis soccer, and much more – all in celebration of EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile and Latin America’s passion for mobile esports.
Looking to the future, how do EA and EFG plan to build an esports ecosystem that allows players to progress from casual to pro status?
Sam Braithwaite (EFG): The current structure of the Snapdragon Pro Series and its tiers of play give EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile players more opportunities to carve their own paths to pro play than ever before. Whether it be expanding the title to new regions or continuing to offer competitions across three tiers of skill levels, we’re committed to unlocking premier competitive opportunities for an array of fans.
Sam Turkbas (EA): Creating opportunities across grassroots, amateur, and professional levels of competition for EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile will help build the path-to-pro, allowing anyone to compete, hone their skills, and progress toward the pinnacle events in the calendar. Those opportunities come to life through in-game competition and out-of-game partnerships like the Snapdragon Pro Series. Now, there are even more opportunities for anyone with a phone to charter the path to pro through EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile.
Beyond fostering a competitive environment for EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile, what broader impact on players and communities do you hope to achieve through this partnership?
Sam Braithwaite (EFG): There has long been a stigma around both mobile video games and sports titles that they can’t be proper esports. But the same factors that skeptics point to – that mobile gaming and sports games are too oriented towards casual gamers - actually have contributed to EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile being a stellar mobile esport. The widespread popularity of one of the world’s most popular franchises and the accessibility of high-powered mobile devices has built a groundswell of excitement around EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile esports. Our collaboration with EA through the Snapdragon Pro Series is an opportunity to not only bust that stigma but also deliver new, fan-centric experiences to players around the world.
Sam Turkbas (EA): There are something like 3 billion gamers worldwide, with everyone having a unique experience and perspective on how they engage with the games they love. We know EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile players engage for many reasons, some to compete, some to relax, and many as a natural extension of their football passion. We want to create the best experiences and places to play for all these players, and creating a competitive program is an important part of that. Our partnership with the Snapdragon Pro Series supports creating meaningful experiences for our players that deepen their passion for EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile.
For more information on the Snapdragon Pro Series, visit the official website, and follow the league on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok.
MobileMatters is in partnership with ESL FACEIT Group, the organizers behind the Snapdragon Pro Series.