While this may be true for the reasons why FIFA became so popular in ther first place, it's also true that FIFA has got a fist mover brand advantage, and it would likely take years for any competitor to catch up even with a technically superior product. Also I think it's urealistic for EA to lose the licence, just as it's unrealistic for the series to leave Playstation, the actual FIFA would oppose it since it would mean losing lots of licensing fees.

In the end the event of FIFA becoming exclusive to xbox is deal where everybody loses. EA would lose profits, the FIFA would lose fees, MS would buy an asset that would depreciate right after the purchase. It wouldn't make sense. If ever it would be a bit more realistic if MS buys a branch of EA (some studios, some IPs) or MS buying the whole company but leaving FIFA multiplatform (just like Minecraft).

Well, console exclusives exist for a reason. Not to maximize profit by releasing on all systems, but to have a one up on the competition in terms of hardware sales. And in turn getting people to invest in more games on said system. They are there to pull in consumers and grow the install base.

FIFA would make it very difficult for Sony. They would have to rely on other football games (not even mentioning other sports games). Right now it would mean going all in with PES (which isn't as popular as FIFA) or bringing back old IP. Both cases would be difficult.

Other than that, Battlefield, Bioware Games (if they will still be around), the Star Wars license and more. Those are pretty important as well.

Wow, wonder how much EA would cost?

A few billion. Pocket change for Microsoft.

On Nintendo? None. This would directly effect Sony the most, EA games never sell as well or well at all on Nintendo platforms. EA develops FIFA right...we know what that would mean. This move could actually turn the tide for a while on the Xbox vs. PS4 debate. And the tide from here on out. If this is true, this would mean Microsoft is desperate to make sure they don't lose as badly as they did. Nintendo..eh, they'll keep trucking along with their 1st party and 3rd party Japanese support, like they have since the NES.

Ok, I understand that. But the bottom line is why would MS accept to pay a hefty amount of money to buy EA if the expect thier investment to quickly lose a great part of its value? Why would the investors of MS and EA respectively accept it?

I predict Microsoft, knowing how hated EA is, will actually force EA to publish their games on Nintendo devices, that way no hardware company can brag that they don't have to deal with EA games.

All jokes aside, if Microsoft allowed Minecraft to stay multi to take in all the profits, why on Earth would they not do the same for EA (or any publishers) games? If this acquisition happens, I don't think it will be an indication of them forcing 3rd parties into 1st party, but rather of the concept that (in my opinion) Microsoft is moving more into a third party position themselves (when they can finally convince another hardware company to adopt Windows OS for their device). I guarantee you if Nintendo went to Microsoft and said, "we would be willing to use Windows OS and Windows Store [which could be steam soon], if you would be willing to merge our hardware and both of us make software for the same hardware," Microsoft would jump all over that. Xbox lost to ps2, the 360 lost to the Wii, and now the One is on a course to get destroyed by the ps4 and at least lose, maybe even get destroyed by, the Switch. They are always either 3rd or a distant 2nd and the investors know it.

Seriously? What would be bigger than losing FIFA?

Hundred? It's not a fortune 500 company mate. This is a video game company with a revenue of about 4.8 billion and a market cap of 27.4. Valuation would be much much lower.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2017/10/10/fifa-remains-eas-bread-and-butter/#61256b662140