Electronic Arts slid a powerful tackle into its Gamescom 2013 press event when it announced that FIFA 2014 for mobile will be free-to-play.

While the console version will retain its premium pricing, EA is stepping away from the one-price download model for the iOS and Android version of the upcoming popular football sim expected on the App Store and Google Play this autumn.

Even though EA's found massive success with the free-to-play model on mobile, the decision to turn a popular - and successful - premium franchise like FIFA into a free-to-play is quite telling for its overall mobile strategies.

EA also notes that FIFA 14 will be available for iOS and Android this fall - with 'other mobile platforms' being announced later.

We assume that's likely to be Windows Phone. 

Growing strong

The FIFA 2014 announcement came as EA disclosed that Plants vs Zombies 2 has amassed over 16 million downloads since its iOS-exclusive debut on August 14.

EA reports that this red hot performance has made Plants vs Zombies 2 its most successful mobile launch to date, as its day one downloads nearly doubled EA's previous mobile record.
Plants vs Zombies 2 has already generated over 25 million hours of gameplay in its first week of availability, although it's yet to break the US top 10 top grossing chart.

EA also announced the first content expansion to the tower defence game, dubbed Far Future, although it didn't disclose when this update will arrive.