FEAR FA 98: ‘Silent Hill x FIFA’ dev talks horror, punk and Evangelion – “I really wanted to see my friends playing games. My games.”

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Jacob Jazz chuckles when asked about his favorite football team, ‘To be honest, it’s not my cup of tea,'” he says. After a moment’s thought, he adds, “Being from Madrid, I have to admit I’m a fan of both teams – Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid.

Ultimately, I conclude that since all my buddies hail from Madrid, it’s reasonable to assume I’m referring to Real Madrid.

Although he’s not particularly passionate about football, Jacob Jazz is the creative force behind FEAR FA 98, an unexpected blend of ’90s FIFA and PlayStation 2 horror aesthetics.

During the 2025’s London Games Festival, I wondered why he chose to create a football game, given that he isn’t much of a sports enthusiast.

“All these years, I really wanted to see my friends playing games. My games. My own games.”

Under the moniker Celery Emblem, this indie developer has been quite productive, as evidenced by their past creations such as Mezmeratu, Baobabs Mausoleum, and Tamarindo’s Freaking Dinner. From these titles, it’s clear what inspires him, but it’s also evident that his games aren’t typically appealing to a broad range of players.

Jazz aimed to connect with them more effectively, and one effective approach he took was by offering an experience that is extremely popular among the youth who follow football closely.

Jazz settled himself at his computer, ready to create a game suitable for his friends to enjoy, yet remaining true to the unique style and perspective he had nurtured throughout the years.

Initially, I began creating various projects and thought, “Perhaps I could blend survival horror elements with football.” Then, I started sharing my ideas on Twitter. As a lover of cult horror, B-movies, and Lovecraftian tales, coming up with inspirations wasn’t difficult at all.

In the gaming world, I dive headfirst into a revamped version of ’90s FIFA. However, it’s not just a game anymore – it’s a chaotic, thrilling spectacle! Instead of playing fair, I unleash my players to engage in some unconventional soccer: they behead their opponents and use those disembodied heads as the ball! The fun doesn’t stop there; I can hurl knives, axes, or even summon terrifying demons onto the field. FIFA might have been the original, but this game has a whiff of Mario Strikers in its power-ups – each one adding a new layer of madness to the match.

The nickname “Silent Hill FIFA” spreads rapidly online, and that’s how I initially discover the then-unnamed game. Since then, it’s stuck in my mind, and I can’t help but mention it to Jazz.

It left quite an impression on me as I posted a GIF, only to find it featured in the media the following day.

The game I created was featured in Marca, Spain’s leading sports daily, and a friend reached out to me in the morning with the question: “Aren’t these the games you developed?

Initially created with the aim of engaging his buddies in his own games, Jazz had cultivated a unique style that he wasn’t willing to compromise. In fact, using football as a tool to involve his friends in a horror game turned out to be an ingenious strategy for enticing horror enthusiasts into playing a football game instead.

He goes on to say, “These groups, sports enthusiasts and horror aficionados, are quite distinct. My aim is to create something that blends elements from both worlds.

For this purpose, FEAR FA 98 has consistently advanced its development, transitioning from an initial arcade-style kick-off to currently featuring a campaign reminiscent of the terror-filled PS2 classics, which significantly influence the game’s overall design.

“All my games are in the same universe,” Jazz explains, “It’s a little bit surreal.”

The Story Mode is currently being built, representing a monumental task for Jacob, not just in terms of the work required to make it a reality, but also in integrating it seamlessly within the Jacob Jazz universe.

For Jazz, the narrative and world are crucial elements, serving as tools to garner an audience, foster a group of artists in this emerging horror-sports genre, and potentially pave the way for a Future Association of Golf or Tennis, each with their unique, eerie narratives.

Instead of continually referring to Silent Hill, let’s delve into Neon Genesis Evangelion, a groundbreaking anime by Hideaki Anno that is renowned for its psychological depth. This series has significantly influenced not just the narrative of FEAR FA, but also its overall aesthetic.

Posters advertising the game are adorned with Japanese text. Similar to the recurring Christian symbolism seen in Neon Genesis Evangelion, elements like demons, angels, and vast arrays of crosses can be found integrated into FEAR FA 98 in various ways.

The initial trailer for this game showcases a thunderous tune from the independent Japanese music scene, which harmoniously blends with the theme of an anime’s opening title sequence.

In other words, Jazz recognizes intuitively the significance of a fitting soundtrack in a football match. For many, the FIFA soundtrack stands alone as a unique genre, and Jazz aims to ensure that the horror sports genre also has its own distinctive musical backdrop.

He’s keen on creating some punk or Oi!-style tunes, akin to ‘hooligan’ music, but at the moment, he’s drawn towards making something diverse and unique instead. His passion for music shines through vividly and inspires others.

If you’re familiar with FIFA, you’re aware it offers a variety of tunes. I’ve been in touch with numerous artists, bands, and musicians who span various music genres.

Jazz intends to develop an in-game radio system that allows players to select the genre and songs they prefer to listen to. His network includes a wide range of artists, from punk and electronic to synthwave.

He is trying to create a global feel similar to what FIFA soundtracks do exceptionally well: “I have artists from England, Spain, and America in my selection,” he clarifies.

I’ve been trying to locate some songs on the internet without success so far, and he says, “Apparently, they aren’t accessible at the moment.” Since the music enthusiasts will have to hold off, the soundtrack is planned to be released along with the game. He chuckles and shares, “I often say, ‘Just a bit more waiting!’

At present, it’s regrettable that I can’t access FEAR FA 98 as required. I express regret because my impatience falls short of the level of patience that Jazz demonstrates, and I’m eager to listen to the music he’s been working on.

As a devoted fan, I could’ve rushed to publish FEAR FA 98 swiftly, leveraging the buzz from social media platforms for a quick profit by releasing a superficial title. However, I chose to prioritize quality over quantity, ensuring that every detail of FEAR FA 98 resonates with our passionate community and lives up to their expectations.

It’s great to see that Jazz perceives this as having the potential to grow into something significant – perhaps an innovative indie game similar to titles like Cruelty Squad or How Fish Is Made.

I’ll make an effort to show a little more understanding – given that Jazz works alone on his projects – yet, I must admit, I’m extremely eager for this upcoming game.

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2025-06-30 15:35