Crucial because it allows you to get to a pivotal point in the consumption of an EA Sports soundtrack: discrimination. Once you've figured out the gameplay itself and have begun to master it, your brain has more available space with which to focus on other aspects of the experience. Given its prominence, the music playing anytime you're not actually on the virtual field is one of the first targets. You begin to not only know the songs, you begin to know the songs you love and hate. You start to enjoy some of the tunes EA has chosen for this year, and perhaps even go so far as to look up the bands to see if their other work is any good. You also start to wish there was a skip button for some of the songs, be it because they're in a different language (a FIFA problem) or because they just suck (a universal problem). Your taste grows more distinguished, your consumption of the EA Sports soundtrack more discriminating. You're in the full swing of this year's sports game, and you know just what songs are adding or detracting to the experience.
Freelance writer situated on the east coast of Canada. Ten years writing pop culture, sports, news, and anything else that people will read. Follow me on Twitter @matthewjryder!
