Less than a week separates us from the release of FIFA 23, the one that will be the last of a license of legendary sports simulation games. We present all its new features in detail, but first we explain everything about its early access.
[Mis à jour le 26 septembre 2022 à 14h36] It’s the big day for FIFA players. Electronic Arts offers us the last episode of the license on September 30, formalizing its divorce from the International Football Federation. FIFA 23 is slated for release this Friday, while early access to the game kicks off tonight at midnight. A godsend for the most impatient players, who can take advantage of different means to access this “early access”. We take stock of the entire FIFA 23 release schedule, how to play it in early access, and its content in detail in this article
To get right to the heart of the matter, the release of FIFA 23 is scheduled for the September 30 next. But it will be possible to access it much earlier, from this evening in fact, the September 27 at midnight for anyone with early access. It is possible to join this period of play in “early-access” via three different means, EA Play, Xbox Game Pass and Ultimate Edition, which we detail in the article just below. FIFA 23 is coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S for its “next-gen” version, and to PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch for its “old-gen” version which will not include Hypermotion 2 system improvements.
FIFA 23 intends to make its mark on the world of football games by bringing with it various technical innovations. At the heart of Electronic Arts’ communication, we find the Hypermotion 2 system, the evolution of the motion-capture technology that made the success of FIFA 22. A feature unfortunately reserved for next-gen consoles and PC players, while PS4 and Xbox One players will have to make do with a slightly updated version of FIFA 22. Beyond Hypermotion 2, it is also the defensive artificial intelligence that has been improved, as well as that of the goalkeeper .
Also note that for the first time, FIFA 23 will offer next-gen versions on three different media, the new kid being the PC. Keyboard-mouse players will therefore finally be able to play with their friends on PS5 and Xbox Series via crossplay, and take advantage of the technical innovations of Hypermotion 2. In addition to this information, we already know that the game will give pride of place to the women’s football, by reiterating its integration of women’s national teams, but also by offering players the opportunity to discover the teams of the French, English, German and American women’s championships.
In addition, the game intends to offer us an edition with two very distinct World Cups. There will be the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022, as well as the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. Men and women are thus for the first time placed on equal footing. equality in this new edition of the franchise. These two competitions will not be present when the game launches next September, but will be the subject of subsequent and completely free updates a few months after its release.
If this short presentation of FIFA 23 convinced you, know that it is already available for pre-order! Only, you will not find it yet on the sites of French and European retailers, but of course on the official EA website. The game will be available on PC, Playstation 5, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series and Stadia. Attention, as for FIFA 22, only the next-gen versions (i.e. PC, PS5 and Xbox Series) include the technological improvements of Hypermotion 2. As for the versions, the game is available in version Standard (79,99 € PS5 and Xbox Series and 69,99 € PC, PS4 et Xbox One) et en version Ultimate (99,99 €).
The Ultimate version includes various benefits, such as a FUT World Cup 2022 hero, 3 days of early access to the game, the possibility to upgrade to a next-gen version for free (if you buy it on PS4 or Xbox One), a FUT item to watch, Mbappé on loan on FUT, 4600 FIFA points, a Local Talent in Career mode, and a FUT Ambassador on loan.
FIFA 22 had introduced us to the idea of two different versions of the same game. This release being linked to two generations of consoles with different technical capabilities, EA had then decided to offer two games. The first was the next-gen version (PS5 and Xbox Series) including all the technical novelties of this new generation of football games, and the second was the old-gen version (PS4, Xbox One and PC) which remained a simple upgrade. FIFA 21. A decision that was far from unanimous, players first noting that PCs were confined to the “old” generation, and deploring the lack of crossplay between Xbox One, PC and PS4.
For FIFA 23 things are different. If the two versions of the game still exist, separating the next-gen from the old-gen, the rules have changed. PC, PS5 and Xbox Series players will be able to enjoy the same version of the game, and even crossplay which has been fully integrated into the game. For PS4 and Xbox One players don’t panic, crossplay is also offered to them. These cross-platform play features are of course FUT Division Rivals (except Co-op), FUT Champions, FUT Ultimate Online Draft, FUT Online Friendlies (except Co-op), FUT Play a Friend, Online Friendlies. and finally Online Seasons.
If there is a category of players who have been quite adversely affected by recent FIFA releases, it is Nintendo Switch players. The latter must be satisfied for several years with “legacy” versions of the game, ie a copy without the new technical improvements of its counterparts on PC, Playstation and Xbox. When it comes to FIFA 23, unfortunately, this trend continues. FIFA 23 on Switch will therefore also be a “legacy” version of the game. EA say it themselves: “Gameplay and modes [de FIFA 23] will be identical to FIFA 22 on Switch and will feature the same gameplay as the FIFA 22 Legacy Edition without any significant new developments or changes.“If you or someone close to you owns a Nintendo Switch, we highly recommend playing this edition of the game.
On the sidelines of the arrival of FIFA 23, we couldn’t help but notice that this 25th iteration of the franchise would be the last to bear the same name. Indeed, you may already know it, but the divorce has been pronounced between EA Sports and FIFA. The reason ? On the one hand, FIFA wants to increase the fees paid by EA for the ownership of the license, on the other hand, it also intends to make it accept that FIFA appears in other video game franchises (Roblox, Fortnite… ). A slightly too incredible idea for EA, which has decided to go it alone from the year 2023. FIFA 23 will therefore be the last football game bearing the famous name of the International Football Federation.
As for the future of football simulation games, don’t panic, EA intends to develop its own franchise, which will bear the name of EA Sports FC. Only, EA Sports FC will have to give up content related to the World Cup, directly licensed by FIFA. As for the clubs, however, the game should have no problem according to EA. On the side of FIFA, we are all grumpy, but we intend to find another standard bearer for the official football simulation. Various candidates could enter the dance, among the biggest studios in the video game world, but for the moment, no information has emerged on this subject.