ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base
UFL (video game)
UFL (Free-to-Play Football Video Game)
UFL is a free-to-play football video game developed and published by Strikerz Inc., a Cypriot company. The game's model is centered around its core principle: that players' success should not depend on the number of in-game purchases or donations they make, as stated by CEO Eugene Nashilov.
In 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo was part of a group that invested £32 million into UFL, further solidifying the game's development and marketing efforts. The game has garnered significant attention from football enthusiasts worldwide, with its release on Xbox Series X S and PlayStation 5 consoles in June 2024 marking an important milestone.
Developed since 2016 using the Unreal Engine, UFL boasts a unique approach to football simulation, emphasizing skill over monetization. The project involves sports analytics firm InStat and FIFPro, representing the interests of 65,000 players, aiming to create a global online football league where success is solely determined by player skill.
The game's distribution model is free-of-charge, with developers offering an open invitation for players to join the revolution that will change the world of football simulators. UFL features over 5,000 licensed players from around the world and allows users to create their own football clubs. The game also includes a mocap studio built specifically for the project.
One notable partnership is with West Ham United Football Club, which announced its collaboration with UFL developers immediately after the game's official announcement at Gamescom in 2021. Additionally, Shakhtar Donetsk has partnered with UFL, further solidifying the game's connections to prominent football clubs.
UFL will be continuously updated without any mandatory fees or annual charges, providing a unique experience for players. The game also features an offline mode where users can play with friends, expanding its appeal beyond online multiplayer modes.
The developers have expressed their commitment to creating a community-driven platform that prioritizes player skill and fair gameplay over monetization. With Cristiano Ronaldo's investment and the release on multiple gaming consoles, UFL is poised to become a leading force in the world of football simulators.