The home of total football, the birthplace of Johan Cruyff, and possibly where modern football was ‘invented’, there was no better place than Amsterdam for EA Sports to officially reveal EA Sports FC 24. For the uninformed, this is basically FIFA 24, albeit without the ‘FIFA’ branding, due to EA losing that particular right. All things considered, however, EA Sports FC 24 is shaping up to be yet another captivating instalment in the world’s most popular football franchise.
Welcome to the Club
Adorning the cover of the Ultimate Edition of FC 24 is a mish-mash of players from across the world. This includes poster-boy Erling Haaland (we will hear more from him later), icons like David Beckham, and a variety of women’s players such as Chelsea forward Sam Kerr.
EA Sports’ football series has captured the hearts of many a football fan since its inception decades ago, and the team at EA don’t see that changing anytime soon. Cam Weber – president of EA Sports – had this to say at the reveal:
EA SPORTS has defined interactive football for 30 years, and now we’re bringing fans closer to the sport they love through EA SPORTS FC… This is the next great chapter in our mission to create the future of football with fans everywhere, and it begins with FC 24 delivering incredible authenticity combined with a massive leap in gameplay innovation. Welcome to the Club.
Further still, David Jackson, VP of Brand at EA Sports, boasted of the far reach the series has on fans:
This is a massive moment… EA SPORTS FC is the world’s biggest football club, with a community of fans that already spans more than 150 million. Through an incredible product and services, globally resonant brand partnerships and investment in community-level football, FC 24 marks the start of our ambition to grow the love of football through our platform. There’s so much more to come.
New Levels of Realism
As is customary with FIFA / EA FC launch events, the team love to boast of their next-level graphical improvements, all brought about by the Frostbite engine. Some of the biggest improvements in this department are as follows:
- HyperMotionV* is our biggest leap forward in realism to-date, translating the rhythm and fluidity of real-world football into The World’s Game using volumetric data from more than 180 professional men’s and women’s football matches that allows us to reflect real-world movement in-game more than ever before.
- PlayStyles optimised by Opta dimensionalises athletes, going beyond overall ratings to bring to life the on-pitch abilities that make players special. Each PlayStyle gives players unique capabilities you’ll see and feel that make their way of playing more authentic.
- An enhanced Frostbite™ Engine delivers The World’s Game in lifelike detail, bringing a new level of immersion through redesigned player models, smoother animations and visibly unique characteristics that make each player special. Kits now move like real-world materials, reacting to a player’s stride, shifting as they change direction, and flowing along with them as they play.
It must be mentioned, however, that the ground-breaking HyperMotionV tech is only enabled for Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PC editions of the game.
Nick Wlodyka – SVP and GM of EA Sports FC, followed up with this:
Our mission is to bring fans even closer to the world’s game, and EA SPORTS FC™ 24 truly is the best iteration yet… Over the last few decades, we’ve witnessed not only a seismic shift in how our community embraces football, but also a major evolution of how they engage and connect with our interactive experiences. EA SPORTS FC 24 leverages new gameplay technologies to build the most realistic expression of the beautiful game we’ve ever created.
Everyone’s Game
One of the biggest changes made to the series in EA Sports FC 24 is the expansion of the women’s game. Not only are the German and Spanish women’s leagues coming to the game, as well as the UEFA Women’s Champions League, but female players will be available in Ultimate Team for the first time. This includes base cards, Heroes, and Icons – they’ll seamlessly fit into your Ultimate Team like a glove!
On the expansion of the women’s game, SVP of Brand at EA Sports, Andrea Hopelain, said this:
Celebrating sport for all is what continues to drive and inspire us… That’s why we’re proud to announce the most inclusive and diverse iteration of the game so far. Whether it’s playing with the biggest player pool we’ve ever had in Ultimate Team™ or with new leagues like Liga F and the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga, EA SPORTS is proud to champion the women’s game virtually and physically.
Additionally, Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA Marketing Director, had this to say regarding the inclusion of UEFA’s club competitions in the game:
It’s an exciting moment… We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with EA SPORTS having both the Men’s and Women’s editions of UEFA club competitions included for players seeking the most authentic gaming experience ever. EA SPORTS FC plays a crucial role in the future of football engagement; we’re delighted to be collaborating on the journey.
The Nordic Robot
After proudly announcing UEFA Women’s Champions League winner Alex Scott to the stage, followed by Real Madrid legend Luis Figo, Chelsea frontman Didier Drogba, and the legendary Ronaldinho, there was really only one way this could be topped.
No, it’s not 1998-2005 Southampton star James Beattie, but instead the man, the myth, the legend – Erling Haaland! As cover star of the standard edition of EA Sports FC 24, Norway’s striker said:
Every footballer dreams of being the cover star. I am proud to play a major role in the launch of the new era of the world’s leading football game in EA SPORTS FC… The first time I held the cover in my hands, my immediate reaction was to think, just imagine if I could show this to myself 10 years ago. I hope that this can also inspire the next generation to believe in themselves to achieve their dreams. It’s an honour not only to be on this cover, but also the Ultimate Edition cover alongside my illustrious peers and legends of the world’s game such as Johan Cruyff, Pelé, Zinédine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Didier Drogba and many more.
Now Available for Pre-Order
EA Sports FC 24 is fully releasing on September 29th, with access a full week early on September 22nd for those with the Ultimate Edition. EA Play subscribers will also have access to a 10-hour free trial of the game from September 22nd.
EA Sports FC 24 will be available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC and Switch. You can currently make a pre-order via the Xbox Store – it’s £69.99 for the Standard Edition, and £99.99 for the Ultimate Edition, which contains many Ultimate Team bonuses for your club.
What are you most looking forward to in this new era of EA Sports football? Let us know in the comments below and on our socials. We will of course provide you with any further updates regarding the game, and a full review closer to release.
