FIFA 23 is aiming to be the most inclusive version of EA Sports’ soccer sim ever released, and that includes its expansion of the women’s game. With this year’s Euro 2022 capturing significant public attention – including record television and stadium audiences – the publisher has recorded unique motion capture specifically for female athletes.
For those of you who haven’t followed the series, HyperMotion was introduced on new-gen consoles last year, and pertains to full 11vs11 motion capture which is then translated to the game. This year, the publisher has captured two full 90 minute matches to complement last year’s data, with one of the games being played by ladies. This means that WSL matches will play differently to those in the Premier League, for example.
In fact, the company’s gone quite hard here. It’s added hundreds of “women-exclusive” animations, and even running styles specific to real-life players, like cover star Sam Kerr. And of course, there are vast improvements to the men’s game as well, with a total of 6,000 new animations overall – that’s a lot!
Having gone hands on with an alpha build of this year’s game, one of the things we noticed immediately is the change to dribbling, which feels more grounded and less like you’re skating on ice. EA Sports has incorporated some new systems like jockeying, which uses machine learning to write animations in real-time, depending on the context. This feels like you’re able to really close down angles and block off passing lanes in a way that you couldn’t before.
But it’s not the only major change to the gameplay. EA Sports has reworked the way pace functions, so it’s no longer a pure footrace between different top speeds. Instead, there are different acceleration types, with the likes of Kylian Mbappé having explosive speed while more languid players such as Virgil Van Dijk are able to catch up using longer strides. This creates variety on the pitch, as not everyone hits maximum speed at the exact same time.
The most controversial addition is likely to be the new power shot system, which has a long build-up time and requires precision aiming, but results in absolute rockets. Based on our hands on time with the alpha, this feels very arcadey, and we’ll be fascinated to see how pro players and long-time fans take to it.
But the changes go on and on. There’s a full Pitch Notes blog post you should consult if you’re desperate to read up on the nitty-gritty, but there are new slide tackles that also serve as clearances, with the risk being you have to commit and have no idea where the ball’s going to end up. Set-pieces have also been completely redesigned, with a new ball trajectory UI making it more intuitive than it has been.
All in all, we’re optimistic about what we’ve seen and played. We think the additions to the women’s football aspect specifically is going to bring even more attention to the ladies game, but ultimately it’s the core tweaks to things like jockeying and dribbling that will truly stand out among long-time fans. How are you feeling about this year’s game?
[source ea.com]
Comments 26
Removed - unconstructive
Very interested in the women's football. I'll more than likely move to 23
Can I play the management mode as a WSL team? If not then they are a token gesture. I want to take charge of a womens team same way I can a man’s team.
If it’s just friendlies or one off cup/trophies it’s not really a big deal - in as much it will seem shallow. I hope the womens teams are given the same modes as the mens.
@EverydayRobot it’s an article about the womens inclusion in fifa. We don’t care if you have no interest. Post in a different fifa thread. Most of us are sick of seeing people post they aren’t interested in threads about the womens game
Germany v France last night was a cracking game. I hope the final on Sunday is a good one. Germany look typically efficient, it's gonna be a tough one for England.
Very much interested in women’s football. Excited for the future since EA are clearly putting effort into this.
@Stocksy No, the article is nothing to do with inclusion. Woman's teams have been included in fifa since 2016 this is nothing new. I am only saying the new features of woman's mo cap and the power shot (which men get as well by the way) don't appeal to me so I'll stick with fifa 22. Its only my opinion, no need to get worked up and jump on your gender equality high horse.
@EverydayRobot
It literally mentions inclusion in the first sentence. We don't want to hear your negative comments on women's football
@Waluigi999 There is no negative comments here. I have no interest in womans football the same way I have no interest in men's volleyball or dog's show jumping doesn't mean I don't respect their athleticism or skill. Why would I want to pay £70 for new features I'll never use? Woe is the perpetually offended.
My naighbour's two early teen daughters play and love football, in fact one of them plays on the boys teams and is one of the best players in them. They are going to adore the fact this game has female teams.
@EverydayRobot you initial comment made you sound offended. You had absolutely no interest in womens football.
So let’s break that comment down….
You like football.
You like fifa.
You don’t like womens football or the inclusion in fifa?
Based just on gender….
Seems legit.
Only one person in this thread is “perpetually offended” and it isn’t me……
The headline of the article is about womens football. It’s an article about that.
This is great news! 🙌
I’ve got to say I’ve really enjoyed following this competition. It’s a nice change from the millionaires running after a ball. 👍🏻
Better focus on women football in games sounds great.
Still no reason to buy fifa year after year as i do a 3 year cycle. Ill stick with what i have
@EverydayRobot Everyone sees through your act is all. There are a ton of across the board improvements but you're choosing to not only dislike this new iteration, but also tell everyone about it, on account of one particular improvement. The dog whistle here is audible enough.
Funny thing is you'll almost certainly still buy it but continue to tell everyone you won't be taken in by woke features like these.
Oh wow that's sick
@Stocksy The article is about new features in a video game, none of which appeal to me.
@zupertramp it's funny my initial comment mentioned I wasn't a fan of the super shot either but of course that was brushed a side.
Fifa 22 was the first I bought in years because new features sounded great. I honestly don't think there's enough in there to merit a purchase.
Remember when Ubisoft said "they couldn't put female Assassins in AC Unity because it was too much work"? Nice to see some things have progressed.
I guess the spike is likely due to people in Europe starting to watch because Canada and the USA aren’t competing so it’s up for grabs?
If you can't manage a womens team in Career mode all this will just look like trying to monetise women without the equal effort of modes.
I only want to play career mode and very much hope I can manage mens and womens teams.
@ReadySlayerOne Probably because the Euro's have more high quality throughout making the matches closer for the most part.
@EverydayRobot Ignore the article then until they mocap a sexist into a game.
@HeeHo are you saying I’m a sexist for believing that if Canadian or American women teams participated in the woman’s Euro’s that they would likely win as they seem to be better than the rest? Conflating your bias and sexist much Blahahahahaha.
@ReadySlayerOne I wasn't calling you sexist...
Unless you have two accounts.
I was saying the competition is more fun to watch because every team was pretty equally matched.
@HeeHo yeah my bad my man. For some reason when I clicked on the link it brought me to a response to someone else with your response to me above and outta sight.
But I was just taking the piss. As with the men’s, it is a more competitive tournament with everyone winning from fans to players to coaches.
I just like pointing out the best ‘international’ teams are outside Europe, haha.
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