The inclusion of Arabic commentary acted as a massive catalyst for the growth of in the Middle East. With the game menus, text, and audio now fully localized, a massive wave of new players entered the online ecosystem.
For many fans, loading up FIFA 14, selecting a favorite club, and hearing Essam El Shawaly scream his opening lines remains the pinnacle of nostalgic sports gaming. It was an exclusive audio experience that captured the beautiful game at its most passionate.
, "exclusive" Arabic commentary usually points to the inclusion of legendary voices like Essam El Shawaly Abdullah Al-Mubarak
In standard FIFA, a goal call lasts 3 to 5 seconds. In the , El-Shawaly could hold a single "GOOOOOOAL" for 15 seconds, running out of breath, followed by a whispered prayer. For a last-minute winner, the commentary actually drowned out the stadium noise, creating a surreal, euphoric broadcast effect.