Behind the Scenes of EA FC 26 Commentary: Crafting Realism in Gaming

Green apples, honey, and ginger-lemon tea may evoke thoughts of an athlete’s diet, yet they also serve as essential tools for football commentators striving to maintain their vocal health.

In today’s landscape, these professionals must ensure their voices resonate not only during live matches but also within the realm of video games.

The journey began with Gremlin Interactive’s Actua Soccer in 1995, which introduced running commentary featuring BBC Sports legends Barry Davies and Trevor Brooking. While rudimentary, this innovation marked the start of a relentless pursuit for realism.

Over the years, commentary has transformed significantly, evolving through popular titles like Pro-Evo Soccer and FIFA, ultimately culminating in the current EA Sports FC and Konami’s eFootball franchises.

This auditory experience has become integral to millions of gamers’ interactions with various titles, providing reactions that range from celebrating a stunning goal to critiquing a missed opportunity.

The Realism Challenge

But what goes into crafting commentary that feels genuine? For instance, Guy Mowbray exclaims, “That’s a terrible shot!” while Sue Smith chimes in with, “What were they thinking!?” These lines are designed to convey the intensity and emotion of the game, even if the commentators have never witnessed the action firsthand.

Interestingly, many players seem to take these remarks personally. Smith recalls how children of her friends message her about in-game commentary: “You just told me off for shooting from 30 yards!” This illustrates how deeply players engage with the game, often feeling as if the commentators are observing them in real-time.

This level of immersion is precisely what Electronic Arts aims to achieve, prompting Mowbray and Smith to invest substantial effort into ensuring their commentary sounds authentic.

Both began working on the game in 2024, with the latest version hitting the shelves in September 2025. Their commitment to this project makes it a year-round endeavor.

The Commitment to Authenticity

Mowbray, known for his role on Match of the Day since 2004, describes the task as a