EA SPORTS has confirmed the persistent rumours: FIFA 22 will get a crossplay test “in the near future” that will bring the different platforms together
At the latest since the renowned gaming editor Tom Henderson announced the integration of a crossplay feature for FIFA 23 on February 28, the entire community was waiting for official confirmation from EA SPORTS. This took place late on Monday evening, a test phase should still take place in FIFA 22.
To be more precise: “In the near future”, as the developer announced. A majority of FIFA fans have been hoping for concrete signs of a cross-play feature for their favourite series for years. The mechanic will allow followers to compete with and against players on other platforms.
For now, only for two modes and next gen
So far, players on the PlayStation family can only interact with other players on PlayStation consoles in FIFA – the same goes for Xbox and PC users. With the test coming soon, owners of a PlayStation 5, an Xbox Series XS and Stadia users will be able to cross the known platform boundaries.
However, the trial will only be played in the Online Seasons and Online Friendlies modes; in FIFA 22 Ultimate Team (FUT), for example, the restrictions will remain in place. EA SPORTS cites the reason for this measure as wanting to “reduce the chance of introducing new issues into the game”.
New widget for the main menu
Perspectively, however, the crossplay feature will not be limited to the two test modes. “We are confident that the game data and feedback we draw from these modes will show us how crossplay can be implemented more widely in future titles,” the developer writes.
EA SPORTS intends to inform via the in-house Twitter channel “FIFA Direct Communication” as well as in the game itself as soon as the crossplay test is available – there is no detailed schedule. A new widget in the main menu on the right side of the screen will activate crossplay.
No effect on gameplay
New friends from other platforms will be able to be found by searching for their username after opening the widget. In online seasons, opponents from different platforms are automatically taken into consideration when crossplay is activated; the function should have no effect on gameplay.
If the test does not show catastrophic results, it can be assumed that EA SPORTS will integrate the crossplay function – possibly in an extended form – in FIFA 23 from the beginning. The further future is still uncertain against the background of the separation between the developer and FIFA.
