The fifa-ng-db-meta.xml file is a that acts as a schema or "blueprint" for the main FIFA database file ( fifa_ng_db.db ).
Because EA Sports games utilize the Frosty or LiveEditor environments, fifa-ng-db-meta.xml is securely packed away inside the game's core archive files ( .cas and .sb assets). To extract and view it, follow these steps:
In the Frostbite engine and earlier iterations of the FIFA series, game data—such as player stats, team rosters, and league structures—is stored in a binary format, typically found in . However, this binary file is unreadable by humans and standard software without a guide. The fifa-ng-db-meta.xml provides this guide by:
: It defines columns (e.g., playerid , rating , contractlength ) within tables like players , teams , or leagues . fifa-ng-db-meta.xml
The location of fifa_ng_db.db and fifa_ng_db-meta.xml files depends on the game. For older titles, they were often found inside .big archive files. For modding, they are typically placed in a folder structure like FIFA [Year]\Game\data\db . For modern games, the files are more accessible, often located directly within the game's installation directory.
Modifying this system requires precision; a single broken XML tag or typo can prevent the game from launching.
Navigate to the tab inside the editor software. Follow the folder path: data > db . Right-click fifa_ng_db-meta.xml and select Export . The Role of Meta XML in Modding The fifa-ng-db-meta
Open your game files using a program like the FIFA Editor Tool . Navigate to the database folder, export both fifa-ng-db.db and fifa-ng-db-meta.xml to a secure folder on your desktop.
: Once loaded, you can edit tables, such as changing player faces, attributes, or team finances.
Is that column a boolean (true/false), a string (text), or a foreign key linking to another table? The Meta XML defines this. For example, it tells the editor that a player’s preferredfoot uses a lookup table (0 = Right, 1 = Left). However, this binary file is unreadable by humans
: It ensures the game reads the binary database files correctly without crashing. Where is it Located?
In the world of FIFA and EA FC modding, the fifa_ng_db.db file is the "master database" that holds all the game's structured information, such as player names, attributes, transfer history, team lineups, and much more. However, a raw database file is not very useful on its own—it needs a map or a blueprint to make sense of it. This is where comes in.
Localized strings
If you are converting a database from FIFA 14 to FIFA 16, you use the FIFA 16 meta.xml as a reference to map the old columns to the new required columns.
Paper Title: Decoding the EA Sports FC/FIFA Database Schema: A Structural Analysis of fifa-ng-db-meta.xml