Kiyan Prince FIFA 21 Tribute Arrives as Footballer Debuts in Game, 15 Years After Death
FIFA 21 is paying tribute to Kiyan Prince, a soccer star who lost his life 15 years ago after defending a friend. He’s available now as a playable footballer in the EA Sports video game, fittingly as a member of the Queens Park Rangers. EA Sports shared a special video that features details on Kiyan’s story, along with info on where to find him for the Kiyan Prince FIFA 21 tribute.
Kiyan Prince FIFA 21 tribute video features father, in-game reveal
A Kiyan Prince FIFA 21 tribute video arrived early in the morning on Tuesday, May 18. The video, which runs nearly a minute and 50 seconds, features Kiyan Prince’s father, Dr. Mark Prince OBE, telling “two stories” about his son along with real-life and in-game footage.
“My name is Kiyan Prince and I am a professional football player, or at least I would’ve been had I not been killed when I was 15,” a narrator says in the video.
His father goes on to say there are two stories about his son. One involves his son’s tragic circumstances. However, his father wants to present the second story about “the man he was destined to become.”
The clip includes his father talking about how if his son were alive today, he’d be among the game’s stars. He adds not everyone can become a professional baller, but “everyone’s got something they’re good at.”
“So stand tall. Stand strong and let that be your story. Your only story,” his father says.
“See the man Kiyan was destined to become,” the narrator says as the video reveals in-game footage of Prince on the pitch.
Kiyan Prince’s murder occurred in 2006. A young man with a knife stabbed Kiyan as he was trying to break up a fight. Two years later, Dr. Mark Prince founded the Kiyan Prince Foundation in his son’s honor. The foundation seeks to support “school children and young people from primary through to secondary and tertiary education, through mentoring, life skills and training programmes.”
Kiyan originally played for the Queens Park Rangers U 16 team. Just two years ago, they renamed their home venue as Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium in honor of the late footballer.
Young star recreated, re-signed to QPR club
As part of the Kiyan Prince FIFA 21 tribute, he’s now in the game with the Queens Park Rangers, wearing the No. 30. His look isn’t that of a generic football player either, as they gave him a realistic look thanks to a talented team.
According to QPR’s report, Framestore, the special effects studio behind the Avengers: Endgame film, developed the imagery of Kiyan for the game. They were able to recreate him virtually at the age he’d be today, using “advanced AI technology and photo-real illustration.”
Based on EA’s details, they combined images of Kiyan at age 15 with images of his father at age 30. That helped create an accurate image of what Kiyan would look like today. In addition, Kiyan’s dad, teammates, coaches, and friends, gave input regarding his stats and style of play for FIFA 21.
The Kiyan Prince FIFA 21 tribute is on PCs today. The tribute arrives on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Google Stadia on Wednesday, May 19. Gamers can find Kiyan as a playable footballer for Queens Park Rangers in the game’s Kick Off and Career modes.
There are also other parts of the Kiyan Prince FIFA 2021 tribute with unlockable vanity items. These include a Kiyan Prince Foundation Kit and an honorary TIFO of him.
Read more about the Kiyan Prince Foundation here for more of Kiyan’s story and what the foundation offers.
Visit VGR’s FIFA page for more updates about EA’s international football game.