In EA SPORTS FC 24, the players themselves are to become the smiths of their defensive fortune. “More control over defensive actions and more user-initiated interactions” are promised – is the end of AI reliance?
Whether it’s the tactical panacea of 5-4-1 or constant pressure, many fans find defending too easy in FIFA 23. The AI is so good at it that even lesser players can often keep things tight at the back. With EA SPORTS FC 24, the developer promises at least “more control over defensive actions and more user-initiated interactions”. According to the Deep Dive article on the gameplay, the focus is on “Advanced Defence”.
This is a setting that changes the layout of the defend buttons. Professionals are to be given the freedom to determine for themselves which action they want to perform. With X and A respectively, a shoulder bump or “lock” is performed. The corresponding animations from the front have been renewed “to increase the usefulness and the situations in which the mechanics occur”. Circle or B, meanwhile, will trigger a regular duel.
EA SPORTS has also announced “hundreds of new duels” for the unofficial FIFA 23 successor. Among them are chop tackles, ball-stopper one-on-ones and blocks, whose coverage and effectiveness will be improved.
“Zonal defence” and marking density
Also in focus is the defensive positional play – “zonal defence” is the keyword. If a greater depth than 45 is chosen, “professionals will try to mark opponents further up the field and close to the player in possession of the ball”. This is to cut off possible passing routes. At the same time, however, spaces can open up for the attacking team, insofar as the original pressing is overplayed.
If the ball is close to the touchline, the defenders should try to surround the ball carrier to reduce his passing options. The pressure tactics will also be adjusted – with regard to the marking density of the virtual players: With constant pressure, pressure after ball loss or pressure after mistakes, this should vary. Not all professionals will be closely marked in EA SPORTS FC 24, this is to prevent a complete change of the game flow.
Individual sensitivity for player changes
Of course, there is no shortage of goalkeepers, who have been a regular source of criticism in the FIFA series. The goalkeepers will have new deflection manoeuvres for the playing equipment when they cannot catch it. In addition, improved recognition of shots with an outstretched trajectory should ensure that successful over-grip saves are used. There are fresh animations for foot parries, diving parries, deflections and reflex parries.
The last item on the publisher’s defensive list for EA SPORTS FC 24 has been called “Changing Trees” – it’s all about the player changes. The sensitivity of the right stick is supposed to give fans control over whether the distance of the targeted player or the selected angle takes priority. The higher the sensitivity is set, “the more the game respects the input with the right stick”.
Three types of switching preference will be available: “Close to the ball” logically favours those digital professionals who are closest to the ball. Thanks to “Goal side”, players are targeted who are placed on the respective side of the box. And “Classic”, according to EA SPORTS, is simply “a combination of several factors of the previous default”.
