FIFA 23 - EA Sports is apparently considering turning the series 'free-to-play.'
FIFA 22, the next instalment in the popular game, will be released on October 1 this year and will be a full-priced title.
However, according to a leaker, significant modifications may be on the way in next year's version.
After much clamour, Twitter users Donk & Cornerkicks_Football has speculated that cross-platform gaming may eventually be enabled next year.
Free to play🤝 Cross platform #FIFA23
— CornerKicks-Football (@FridayJaime) July 26, 2021
This means that gamers can play with or against one another regardless of whatever console they own.
You want to play against your friend, but you're on
PlayStation while he's on Xbox? Or do you want to create the ultimate Pro Club
on all of your consoles? FIFA 23 has the potential to make that fantasy a
reality.
FIFA 22 has yet to be released, and EA Sports has yet to make an official
announcement.
Konami's announcement of a big update of Pro Evolution
Soccer this year could be a major influence in all of this.
For years, PES has been FIFA's main competitor, but it will
no longer exist in its current form.
PES 22 unveiled as eFootball
— PESUniverse (@PesUniverse) July 21, 2021
New brand, new direction, new game engine.
Free to play
Cross play (fully added post launch)
Named eFootball pic.twitter.com/e0LW6X9vNS
The series will be known as eFootball starting this year, and it will no longer be released yearly or physically.
Cross-generation matchmaking will be accessible at launch, and when winter arrives, that will be followed by total cross-platform play.
Due to Konami's official licencing agreement, major clubs such as Barcelona, Juventus, FC Bayern Munich, and Manchester United will be playable upon release.
Lionel Messi and Neymar have been selected as ambassadors for eFootball, while Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta have been named as "official advisors" on the game.
A new technique called Motion Matching will be used in the first eFootball game, which will be powered by Unreal Engine.
Konami noted in a press statement that "the system produces more than four times as many animations as before, delivering incredibly lifelike movement".
"Motion Matching will be used on all eFootball platforms, including last-generation consoles, PCs, and mobile," says the company.
Although the game is free, some unnamed game types will be available as downloadable extras.
In the meantime, FIFA 22 has teased new options for fans, including 'Create A Club,' which has previously been confirmed.
What are your thoughts on football games that are available for free?
Featured Image Credit: EA Sports