The next game in the long-running FIFA franchise, presumably FIFA 23, is set to bring along a huge feature to the series that fans have long asked for. As of now, there is no word on when the game will release or even any official announcement/acknowledgement of its existence but if past releases are anything to go by, we can expect the game to come out in Q4 of 2022 with a reveal somewhere in Q2.
EA Sports‘ FIFA games have been available on a wide variety of platforms from the start but one thing that has always marred them down is the fact that you cannot play with your friends on another platform. If you own the game on PC, you will only be matched with PC players, same goes for consoles so if you’re on PlayStation, you can’t play with your Xbox buddies. However, that’s all about to change.
Popular video-game journalist, Tom Henderson has just revealed that EA is planning on adding Cross-play support to FIFA 23. This will finally allow players on conflicting platforms to play with each other for the first time in the series’ history. This will enable players on console to play with those on PC and vice-versa.
Big things are coming to FIFA 23 ?? pic.twitter.com/lsb76osWEE
Not only that, but there’s also reports of EA adding both Men’s and Women’s World Cups to this year’s edition of the annual football franchise. This is all possible due to EA’s extended licensing agreement with FIFA that now goes deeper than ever allowing the publisher to enrich the game as much as possible by adding real-life elements. This is likely going to be the last time we see a partnership of such level between the two, which may be why EA wants to go out on a limb with an explosive outing.
That’s because rumors have suggested that FIFA 23 will be the last edition in the series to actually carry the “FIFA” branding. EA would change the name to something like “EA Sports Football” and drop the FIFA affiliation entirely. This seems like the natural next step in the series’ evolution after an executive publicly stated that the FIFA name was hurting the franchise. We’re unaware of the exact logistics of this direction, such as does the FIFA name actually make it easier for EA to license other leagues and teams around the world? Perhaps, it lends EA some sort of discount on their end of the deal.
If EA still has to pay normally for all the other branding in its FIFA games then dropping the FIFA name might be the most logical thing to do. However, if removing FIFA from its name means that EA would have to pay more to license other teams then it would outweigh the benefits and won’t make sense. Regardless, only time will tell what the company’s final decision will be but all signs points towards a rebranding of the titular football franchise that fans have come to know and love over the past few years. But, hey, at least you’ll Cross-play support now.
FIFA 23 Will Feature Cross-play Between PC and Consoles for the First Time in the Series’ History – Appuals
