Main content

The birth of the Fifa computer game

In 1993, EA Sport released Fifa International Soccer. It broke sales records but took its toll on lead developer Jan Tian.

In December 1993, EA Sports released Fifa International Soccer, also known as Fifa 94.

The football game sold half a million copies in its first month and went on to become a cultural phenomenon.

Coder Jan Tian was the lead developer. He tells Vicky Farncombe how his devotion to the task landed him in hospital.

(Photo: Fifa International Soccer, the first Fifa game. Credit: Fifa/EA Sports/ Moby Games)

Available now

10 minutes

Last on

Mon 11 Dec 2023 03:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 9 Dec 2023 05:50GMT
  • Sat 9 Dec 2023 18:50GMT
  • Sat 9 Dec 2023 19:50GMT
  • Sun 10 Dec 2023 00:50GMT
  • Sun 10 Dec 2023 04:50GMT
  • Mon 11 Dec 2023 00:50GMT
  • Mon 11 Dec 2023 03:50GMT

Featured in...

Olympic history

Olympic history

The inside and personal story of the key moments from sporting history

Sporting Witness Films

Sporting Witness Films

Watch sporting heroes tell their stories of astonishing achievement

Podcast