Goals (video game)
| Goals | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer | Goals AB |
| Publisher | Goals AB |
| Director | Andreas Thorstensson |
| Designer | Frans Perers |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Platforms | |
| Release | June 4, 2026 |
| Genre | Sports |
| Mode | Multiplayer |
Goals (stylized as GOALS) is a football video game developed & published by Goals AB. Conceptualized by Andreas Thorstensson, Goals follows a free-to-play business model with a focus on esports viability. First announced on July 22, 2021, the game is intended to compete with the EA Sports FC and eFootball series of video games, with a focus on responsiveness over fidelity. The game will feature cross-platform play, for macOS, PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X and Series S platforms. Goals entered its open beta period on March 13, 2026. The game was released for all its platforms on June 4, 2026. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is in development and a mobile version is set to release in 2027.[1]
Gameplay
[edit]Goals places players on football pitches at different arenas, with game modes of 1v1 & 5v5. A practice mode called "The Arena" may be accessed, allowing for testing player avatars & features.[2]
Development
[edit]Swedish gamer & programmer Andreas Thorstensson was one of the earliest professional Counter-Strike players, with his career beginning shortly after the release of the game in 1999. As a player, executive and owner of the German and Swedish organization Schroet Kommando, which became SK Gaming, he led it to become one of the most prolific in the scene, before retiring in 2009.[3] After several web development & entrepreneurship ventures over the subsequent decade, Thorstensson teased Goals as his new venture, before formally announcing it as a football video game on August 18, 2021. Thorstensson detailed his intention to develop an esports-ready AAA cross-platform multiplayer game that would reward players.[4]
The game would be built using Unreal Engine 5.[5] An objective outlined by Thorstensson from the onset was to give audiences access to Goals during its early days, allowing for the team to gauge feedback and combat bugs before release.[6] Early access testing for Goals began with a single-player demo called the "Arena" in September 2022, with rudimentary functionality implemented. The following February, multiplayer access on a football pitch setting began.[7]
In April 2022, Goals AB was announced to have raised $15 million in seed funding, led by venture capitalist firm Northzone.[8] In April 2023, Goals received an additional $20 million in funding - led by Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian’s venture capital firm Seven Seven Six and supported by Northzone, Moonfire, Cassius and angel investors Peter Sellis, Wayne Mackey, Riqui Puig and Clément Lenglet - bringing the total funding to $39 million.[9] In July 2023, Goals AB's board was bolstered by the arrivals of Ebba Ljungerud and Oskar Gabrielson, the former chief executive officers of Paradox Interactive and DICE, respectively.[10]
Release
[edit]Following closed tests and controlled access periods, Goals began its open beta period on March 13, 2026.[11] The game was released for Windows, MacOS, Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 on June 4, 2026.[12]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Andreas Thorstensson (@andreas) on X". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2026-06-18.
- ↑ Anthony, Ashley (January 18, 2023). "What Separates GOALS From Other Football Games? – Answered". Prima Games. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ↑ Shields, Duncan (July 12, 2009). "bds Seeks New Challenges". SK Gaming. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
- ↑ Fitch, Adam (August 18, 2021). "FIFA and eFootball competitor GOALS announced by SK Gaming founder". Dexerto. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ↑ Monteiro, Rafael (June 28, 2022). "Conheça Goals, jogo de futebol que será rival gratuito de FIFA e eFootball". Grupo Globo. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ↑ Craven, Joe (August 7, 2022). "GOALS dev reveals plans to launch a "basic" and "poor" version of the game". Dexerto. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ↑ Shubh (April 19, 2023). "Stockholm-based GOALS recieves [sic] $20M Series A funding for the hyped soccer game". Fragster. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ↑ Akamo, Ajibola (April 5, 2022). "Blockchain gaming getting more VC attention as GOALS announces $15 million seed funding". Nairametrics. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ↑ Gardner, Matt (April 19, 2023). "GOALS Secures $20 Million To Give Football Esports 'The Game It Deserves'". Forbes. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
- ↑ Šimić, Ivan (July 5, 2023). "GOALS appoints former Paradox and DICE executives to Board". Esports Insider. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ↑ Noor, Burair (March 4, 2026). "New Soccer Game GOALS Enters Open Beta on March 13". Operation Sports. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
- ↑ Gardner, Matt (June 4, 2026). "Long-Awaited Soccer Game 'GOALS' Now Free To Play On PC, Consoles". Forbes. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
