The key to winning them over is a strong trailer that runs down the newest FIFA video game’s features. How will this new FIFA title improve the game? With decades of experience under its belt, how different can FIFA 22 be from FIFA 21?
What Are FIFA Video Games?
What Kind of Game Are They?
FIFA is a soccer simulation video game. It is one of the longest-running game series in the world, with a history spanning almost three decades. In FIFA, players can imagine what it’s like to be a star player themselves. Take part in soccer exhibitions, leagues, international tournaments, and more. Build your career from the ground up, depending on the game mode you play. Unlike other series, there is a new FIFA title every year. Because of this, many have come and gone with the series, with some FIFA games being a bust and others being a triumph. Either way, the FIFA series’ popularity is consistent. As long as there is international soccer, there will be FIFA. The series is available in over 50 countries and over 17 languages.
Developer
The company behind FIFA is Electronic Arts (EA). Like its games, EA has a strong reputation in the world of gaming. Founded in 1982, EA is one of the largest and most popular video game developers in the world. It has headquarters in Canada, California, and more. If you have not heard of FIFA, you may have heard of EA’s other work such as Star Wars: Squadrons, Battlefield, NHL 20, Rocket Arena, and Sims 4. As a leader in entertainment, EA has the upper hand in dictating the future of gaming. The company has over 450 million players across all of its games globally. FIFA 22 and other FIFA titles fall under EA Sports. It is one of EA’s best-performing games.
FIFA 22 Release Date
The FIFA 22 release date is on October 1, 2021. However, players who have their hands on FIFA 22’s Ultimate Edition can play FIFA 22 on September 27, 2021 (four days earlier). Called the early-access trial, this four-day window before the FIFA 22 release date will also be available to EA members.
Platforms
Where does FIFA 22 come out? The game will be available on next-generation consoles such as the Xbox Series X/S and the PS5. However, it will also be available on common gaming platforms such as PC, PS4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch. As you will find out below, FIFA 22 will have different editions. The biggest difference between FIFA 22’s Standard and Ultimate Editions is the Dual Entitlement setting. Dual Entitlement, or cross-generation gaming, is a hot topic in the world of consoles right now. It is when a game can be played across console generations. For Sony players, this means accessing FIFA 22 on both the PS4 and the PS5. Going back, only the FIFA 22 Ultimate Edition has Dual Entitlement. If you get the FIFA 22 Standard Edition for PS4, upgrading the game will not be free. This is the first main difference between FIFA 22 and FIFA 21. For the latter, upgrades for the PS5 and/or Xbox Series X/S were only a simple (and free) download away. What does this mean for players? You should consider your console before you buy the FIFA 22 game. If you plan on getting the PS5 sometime soon, maybe purchasing the FIFA 22 Ultimate Edition is a smarter choice. It has better features and a different FIFA 22 release date. You would not want to buy the same game twice, which would be the case for FIFA 22 Standard Edition users switching from PS4 to PS5.
System Requirements
FIFA 22 will also be available on PC. Because of this, many not only search for the FIFA 22 release date but also its system requirements.
FIFA 22 Minimum System Requirements
For FIFA 22’s minimum system requirements, players must have at least a 64-bit processor and operating system. As of this writing, FIFA 22 will only be available on Windows 10 OS. To run FIFA 22, players must also have either an Intel Core i3-6100 (3.7 GHz) or an AMD Athlon X4 880K (4GHz). Graphics cards must also be NVIDIA GTX 660 (2 GB) or AMD Radeon HD 7850 (2 GB) at the very least. Lastly, FIFA 22 requires at least 8 GB RAM and 50 GB of storage space for playing.
FIFA 22 Recommended System Requirements
To play FIFA 22 in its best quality, EA recommends you have either Intel i5-3550 (3.40GHz) or AMD FX 8150 (3.6 GHz) processors. Like their minimum system requirements, players must also have Windows 10 64-Bit operating systems. The FIFA 22 game is also best to run on graphics cards such as the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 or the AMD Radeon R9 270X. The same memory and storage requirements follow (8 GB RAM and 50 GB storage space). As a bonus, EA recommends players use broadband internet connection to keep FIFA 22 lagging on the PC.
Prices
There are two editions of FIFA 22. These are known as the Standard Edition and the Ultimate Edition. The former will cost around $50 to $60 while the latter will cost around $70 to $80. Other than dual entitlement, the FIFA 22 Ultimate Edition is inclusive of early FIFA 22 access, a “Ones to Watch” player, and over 4000 FIFA points. A Fifa Ultimate Team (FUT) heroes player is also available for Ultimate Edition pre-orders before August 11. Pre-ordering the game will affect its final prices, so if you are sure about buying FIFA 22, you should consider pre-ordering it now. The FIFA 22 release date for these editions is as mentioned above. Pre-order FIFA 22 on Steam Pre-order FIFA 22 on EA’s Official Website
FIFA 22 Game Preview
Game Modes
At the heart of FIFA’s gameplay, no matter what title or setting you are on is simulated soccer. All players can build their roster of soccer moves, face the world’s best soccer teams, compete for tournaments, exhibitions, and more. However, the realism of FIFA follows how technology advances. For FIFA 22, this means HyperMotion technology, better AI battles, and more. Other new features will be discussed later in the article. For now, you can look forward to FIFA’s new game modes. FUT, Career Mode, and Volta are the most popular choices for FIFA players. Still, FIFA 22 packs a punch with updated modes such as Pro Clubs, Tournaments, Co-op Seasons, Practice Arenas, and more. FIFA 22 accommodates up to four players. You can access this four days earlier if you get the Ultimate Edition, which has a different FIFA 22 release date.
FIFA Ultimate Team
When FIFA introduced the FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) mode back in 2009, the series scored a major win. This game mode became a well-received element to the FIFA series and is definitely one of the most awaited gameplay experiences in FIFA 22. In FUT, players can build their dream team without the limitations of contracts and countries. Choosing a player from any league you want is possible. From here, you can compete against other players’ ultimate teams online or offline. The challenge in FUT, other than the actual games, is getting your dream players. Yes, they can play for you no matter what your team is, but you still have to get a hold of them before you get started. You can win players and other rewards by finishing challenges or objectives under the FUT tab. Collect coins, win players, exchange weak team members, and create the best possible team with FUT mode. There is no word yet on the complete FIFA 22 FUT experience, but players should expect upgrades from FIFA 21.
Career Mode
Unlike FIFA 21, FIFA 22 will be introducing a Create-a-Club option under Career Mode. This is the biggest difference between FIFA 22 and other FIFA titles. With Create-a-Club, FIFA 22 players can build their own soccer clubs from the ground up. This can be (somewhat) literal too, as this feature also allows you to make your own soccer stadiums. Choose a league, pick a name, a nickname, and your main rival. FIFA 22 also gives you the power to change your team’s star rating, average ages, and season budget. FIFA 22’s career mode does not stop there. Under Create-A-Club, players can also choose their team’s home and away kits. Other customizable items include stadium colors, club songs, fan chants, and even walkout anthems. Another popular gameplay setting under Career Mode is Player Career. This is another popular option for many FIFA players, mainly because of its unique, singular experience. FIFA 22 is changing up this mode by giving players more autonomy. For example, you can come off your team’s bench mid-match and change the flow of your game. Be wary of your attitude though, because there is also a new manager rating system that will track your progress, standing, and objectives.
Volta
Volta takes soccer back to the streets, and FIFA 22 is more than willing to add to this experience. Not a lot of details have been revealed yet, but new players, locations, clothing, and items are sure to come your way. Under Volta gameplay also comes a new story mode. You can expect more from FIFA 22’s Volta.
Teams
FIFA 22 will not stray away from other FIFA titles’ legacy. This video game will still have over 700+ playable teams from around the world—may they be members of the UEFA Champions League, CONMEBOL Libertadores, Premier League, CONMEBOL Sudamericana, the Chinese Super League, and more. Non-licensed leagues will also be available on FIFA. An official list of the final teams, leagues, and national teams is available on FIFA 22’s Official Website. It is worth noting that FIFA 22 will bear the cross of EA’s contract agreements. A rival eSoccer series, Pro Evolution Soccer (PES), now has the license to use teams such as Serie A Side Atalanta, Napoli, and Roma. Because of this, they will not be available in FIFA 22, 23, and 24.
Players
There is no final count on the player options one will have in FIFA 22 vs FIFA 21. However, FIFA 21 did have over 17,000 soccer players on their roster, so one can imagine FIFA 22 having about the same. For FUT players, there will be a little over 110 icons to choose from. In FIFA 21, a total of 11 players were added to the hero roster. This included Philipp Lahm, Davor Šuker, Nemanja Vidić, Xavi, and more. While a final list of FIFA 22 icons is not out yet, one can speculate on the possible players added to the list. FIFA Online, for example, adds players to its “legendary” list. These may or may not be a part of FIFA 22’s FUT yet. Those who are not FUT Heroes but are legendary players are Park Ji-Sung, Lucio, Iker Casillas, Diego Forlan, and Gabriel Bautista. There is more to this list, viewable on FIFA Online 4. Mario Gomez, Tim Cahill, Abedi Pele, Clint Dempsey, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are all confirmed FIFA 22 heroes.
Graphics
Perhaps the biggest graphics jump from FIFA 21 to FIFA 22 is HyperMotion. Released for the former, HyperMotion is FIFA 22’s main selling point—boasted by EA in the FIFA 22 trailer. HyperMotion makes bigger matches look real. For a simulation game, this adds the bit of magic that keeps people immersed in the fantasy you are selling. Using this technology creates more dynamic player experiences both on and off the pitch. Watch FIFA 22 characters interact with each other like never before. How does HyperMotion work? It works through a patented algorithm, which EA used to study over 8.7 million real frames of player movement. Because of this, FIFA 22 can elevate each rendered player’s move to the most realistic it can be. There are over 4,000 new animations in FIFA 22, all thanks to HyperMotion. While this is one of FIFA’s biggest changes, HyperMotion will not be available on all platforms. This feature is exclusive to those playing on the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Google Stadia. Those who plan to play FIFA 22 on older consoles have to settle for improved AI systems (for FUT, Volta, Career Mode, and more) instead.
Other Features
Through improved AI systems, HyperMotion, and additional characters, FIFA 22 will boast many new features. These additional features include a new goalkeeper system, new strategy opportunities (such as setting different attacking tactics), and new player growth avenues. FIFA 22’s proprietary technology makes for smarter tactical AI. Without getting too complicated, this means that even the computer you combat has a fair chance at winning. It understands attack and defense positions better in FIFA 22 than ever before.
Replayability
FIFA has survived decades of video gaming because it remains relevant and replayable. With hundreds of teams, thousands of players, and more than a handful of game modes, FIFA does not wear easily. For FIFA 22 players, this remains the same. It updates modes such as FUT and Career Mode. In the former, you get to build your dream team with the soccer heroes of the 2020s. For the latter, you can influence every aspect of your soccer team. Both have endless possibilities that shape and are shaped by how you play. There are many objectives to reach when playing FIFA 22. Running through all of them can cover a week’s worth of never-ending gameplay. Not to mention, FIFA 22 accommodates up to four players. This alone makes it a smart choice to keep in your roster of video games. Pre-order FIFA 22 especially if you play with a group of people. The FIFA 22 release date is fast approaching (October 1).
Value
FIFA 22, much like the rest of the FIFA series, has a special hold on soccer fans’ hearts. Its features mirror the state of soccer at the time of its release—the best names, teams, and moves of soccer during that specific FIFA era. Because of this, the value of FIFA 22 is unyielding. Most soccer fans, no matter where they are from, will be represented in a FIFA title. Additionally, whatever the FIFA 22 release date is, people will look forward to getting a copy. FIFA 22 celebrates modern icons and incorporates the most relevant soccer strategies of the 2020s. After studying thousands of hours of soccer content, it will be hard to imagine FIFA 22 being any less immersive than it says it is. If anything, FIFA 22 will be more inclusive than FIFA 21. Such is the case for each FIFA game and its predecessor. New leagues such as the Indian Super League and the National League Conference represent a chunk of the new era of soccer.
The FIFA 22 Cover
Finding out the player gracing the new FIFA cover is part of the annual FIFA experience. For FIFA 22, EA decided to bring back Kylian Mbappé, who is also the previous year’s cover star. Mbappe is the youngest soccer star to be featured on the FIFA frontispiece. He is also one of the three players to appear for two covers in a row, the first two being Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. A FIFA cover star represents where soccer is at and where it is headed. Previous FIFA covers featured players like Neymar, Eden Hazard, Paulo Dybala, and Virgil van Dijk. Before people become icons, they first become a current FIFA star (at least most of them are). This is what the FIFA cover is for.
Who Is Kylian Mbappé?
Kylian Mbappé is one of the youngest star players FIFA has ever seen. He plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and France’s National Team. So far, his soccer legacy was made in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he was the youngest French player to score. Not to mention, he was also the second teenager to score during a World Cup Final. Mbappé still has a long soccer career ahead of him, debuting in the French team when he was only 18 years old. Not only has he graced the FIFA cover, but has also won multiple awards for his skill.
Final Word
The main difference between FIFA 22 and FIFA 21 is the use of AI. FIFA 22 introducing HyperMotion technology includes thousands of moves and strategies that have never been seen in a FIFA video game before. This also affords them higher immersion and character customization. For die-hard soccer fans, FIFA 22’s Create-a-Club feature will surely boost the game’s replayability. Build your own soccer team from the ground up and get lost in the fun of soccer all over again. With the final FIFA 22 release date, the hype for the game continues to build up. A question of “Will it be worth it?” is unlike, “How different will it be from FIFA 21?” However, with what we know so far, FIFA 22 is thousands of moves away from its predecessor. This level of thinking ahead does not only guarantee the success of a real-life soccer game, too. FIFA is only one of the many exciting AI games you should know about.
