The DB contains tables like players, teams, leagues. The Meta XML explains that the field overallrating in the players table is an integer stored at a specific offset.
Modding of EA Sports’ FIFA franchise (now EA Sports FC) relies on editing proprietary database files (e.g., fifa_ng_db.db, fifa_ng_db-meta). Tools like RDBM (Relational Database Manager) and Frosty Editor expose tables but lack explicit metadata for field constraints. Community efforts have produced unofficial metadata files, among which fifa-ng-db-meta.xml has gained traction in PC modding circles (Fifa Infinity, Soccergaming forums, 2023–2025).
This paper provides the first systematic documentation of this file’s structure, semantics, and application. We ask: fifa-ng-db-meta.xml
The fifa-ng-db-meta.xml is crucial for several advanced modding workflows:
Tool Compatibility: Custom modding tools (like FIFA Mod Manager) utilize this file to dynamically generate User Interfaces (UI). When the tool reads the XML, it automatically creates checkboxes for booleans and text boxes for strings, ensuring the modder inputs valid data. The DB contains tables like players , teams , leagues
Cross-Version Porting: When porting databases from newer games (e.g., FIFA 23) to older engines (e.g., FIFA 14/16), the database schemas often differ. The meta file highlights these differences, allowing modders to map fields from the new schema to the old schema.
A modded FIFA 23 installation was used. We altered the players table’s potential field from int(3) to int(4) via the meta file, rebuilt the database using a custom tool, and tested in-game stability. Tool Compatibility: Custom modding tools (like FIFA Mod
Author: [Your Name]
Publication Date: April 13, 2026
Journal: Journal of Game Data Engineering & Modding (Hypothetical)