FIFA 23: Release time & date, crossplay, new features, more
EA SportsThe release of FIFA 23 is here, and football fans are eager to discover what EA has in store for them this year. Here’s everything you need to know about FIFA 23, including when you can drop in for the first time.
There’s nothing quite like the launch of a new FIFA title to get football fans excited, as players from around the globe prepare for another year of opening packs and completing SBCs.
Expectations for FIFA 23 are high, and after EA showcased the new features and additions that await players across Career Mode, Ultimate Team, and Pro Clubs, there’s clearly a lot to look forward to.
We’ll break down every new feature coming to FIFA 23 as well as the official release date and times, to best prepare you for an expansive final chapter.
- FIFA 23 release date
- FIFA 23 release times
- Will FIFA 23 have crossplay?
- World Cup content in FIFA 23
- FIFA 23 Ultimate Team new and improved features
- FIFA 23 gameplay changes
- Is FIFA 23 the last FIFA?
FIFA 23 release date
The official release date for FIFA 23 is September 30, 2022. Players who cannot wait to get their hands on the latest iteration of the franchise can pre-order the Ultimate Edition of FIFA 23 and start playing as of September 27, 2022.
Here’s our guide to FIFA 23’s pre-order editions revealing the bonus content you’ll receive from each version.
FIFA 23 release times
FIFA 23 will release at midnight in your time zone, regardless of which region or console your copy of the game is tied to. This means some areas, such as New Zealand, will actually be able to lace up their boots before players in the UK or US due to the time difference.
Those who secured the Ultimate Edition can launch the app at midnight on September 27, while anyone with the Standard Edition will have to wait until 12 AM on September 30.
Will FIFA 23 have crossplay?
FIFA 23 will have a crossplay feature for certain modes at launch. Crossplay in FIFA 23 will be limited to 1vs1 modes when the game releases. This will mainly impact Ultimate Team gameplay as players on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC will face each other. Meanwhile, PS4 and Xbox One users will also match up against each other
This also means that a massive amount of players will be sharing one FUT market in FIFA. To find out more about changes to the market, you can read our article explaining how the Ultimate Team market will function in FIFA 23.
Unfortunately, EA confirmed that there would be no crossplay feature for the Pro Clubs mode. This infuriated players, and after a ton of backlash from the FIFA community, EA hinted that the feature could make its way to Pro Clubs post-launch.
FIFA 23 Ultimate Team new features
FIFA 23 Ultimate Team fans are in for some major changes. For starters, position modifiers as we know them will be removed from the game.
Instead, players will have secondary positions that mirror their real-life position changes. For example, Kyler Walker would be able to operate on full chemistry at RB or CB.
Another major change set to hit the Ultimate Team mode is FIFA 23’s brand-new chemistry system. Chemistry lines across your squad are a thing of the past in FIFA 23. You’ll know have more freedom to build your squad with a less restrictive chemistry system.
This system will factor in nations, leagues, and clubs across the entire pitch in order to give players a chemistry rating between 0-3. Proximity is no longer a factor as Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold produce chemistry from RB to LB.
Check out our guide on Ultimate Team’s new game mode called FUT Moments for a look at what to expect in FIFA 23.
FIFA 23 World Cup modes
The World Cup mode added to FIFA 18 was a massive hit among players, and the community has been urging EA to revisit the feature for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
While we currently don’t know how many game modes will feature World Cup content, EA did confirm that there will be some involvement via the Ultimate Team mode.
It’s understood that both the men’s and women’s versions of the World Cup will be celebrated in FIFA 23, but we’ll have to wait and see what they have in store for players.
Given that the men’s tournament takes place in the winter of 2022 this time around, and the women’s edition is in the summer of 2023, EA would have plenty of time to give both footballing festivals the proper treatment.
FIFA 23 gameplay changes
In addition to changes to the Pro Clubs and Career Mode offerings in FIFA 23, EA were also excited to announce several gameplay changes. These changes are meant to freshen up the way the game feels on the pitch.
For starters, set pieces have undergone an overhaul in FIFA 23, with penalties receiving a simplified mechanic. Set pieces also include free kicks and corners, which you’ll have to learn how to master once more this year.
One of the most entertaining ways to flex your FIFA prowess is through skill moves, and in FIFA 23 there will be more to master than ever before. You can check out our guide to discover all of the gameplay changes being introduced in FIFA 23.
Is FIFA 23 the last FIFA?
FIFA 23 is the last game in the series before EA’s partnership with FIFA comes to an end, meaning the franchise will be rebranded as EA SPORTS FC from 2024.
Little else is known about the future of the football sim. The devs are yet to confirm whether EA SPORTS FC will keep the core features and gameplay that FIFA fans have grown to love, or if we can expect a drastically different game going forward.
For more on the FIFA series, be sure to check out our guide on the Ones to Watch promo, the first major event in FUT this year.
Image credits: EA Sports