For professionals it is a time saver, for casuals it holds frustration: The new Weekend League mode in FIFA 22. But both camps agree on one thing: In its current form the mode is a danger for everyone.
There were times when the Weekend League was the measure of all things. The much quoted “30:0 bomb” still stood for quality in FIFA 21. And every now and then not even that was enough for a good ranking in the Top 100. But the mode has changed and with it the value and recognition of the league among the players.
“I actually play competitively throughout the week in the Elite Division, so it’s more of a relaxation on the weekend,” says Matthias ‘STYLO’ Hietsch when looking at the new Weekend League mode, now called “FUT Champions Finals”.
The 2019 World Cup coach, who is a professional and streamer with FOKUS, had estimated the level in the Weekend League to be higher before the season: “I believed it would be sweaty but it was more relaxed than suspected.” Only one of 49 Weekend League games so far on his regular console has been lost for him.
Less time spent, worse rewards
Low hurdles for the best possible rewards mean that the Weekend League has lost its appeal. 16 wins in 20 games are needed for the best possible rewards.
80 per cent win rate would have been just 24 wins last season – Elite 2. However, ‘STYLO’ sees something positive: “We used to have to do 40 games in 48 hours, it’s much more relaxed now.”
An even bigger reason for the dwindling attractiveness of the Weekend League is the change in qualification for the Global Series. As of this year, the points for this are collected via the Elite Division, so the competitive part has been outsourced from the Weekend League.
The pros are not enthusiastic about the new mode because it holds few advantages for them and still costs time – albeit less. In the camp of the casuals, the verdict is even clearer.
“I understand if casuals are upset about it “
“I’m not going to sit down for over two hours and play playoffs and then fail to qualify for the third time in a row,” says Mike Copertino. He has an all-round view of the scene: He himself sits at the console as a casual, at the same time he manages the eSports organisation Mizka eSports and promotes young talents in the competitive area.
So once you’ve reached a division in which you’re overmatched, there’s no going back. I understand if casuals are upset about it,” says “SYTLO” and, like Copertino, sees a danger for everyone in the FIFA community.
Because if the frustration at the player base leads to casuals turning away from the game on a broad scale, the click numbers on YouTube videos and Twitch streams will also drop. A downward spiral that could sweep away the entire community, including the professionals.
Copertino has an idea to counteract the whole thing: “Why not have an extra bracket for all those who didn’t manage to qualify for the Weekend League?”
All those who would have picked up only two to five wins in the playoffs would be allowed to participate. The rewards would be toned down from the Weekend League but still motivation enough to sit down for 20 games, Copertino suggests.
It doesn’t make a good impression that the players feel forgotten who don’t belong to the best and still had fun with FIFA.
‘STYLO’ knows: it is these players who form the broad base, buy the game, consume streams and videos and thus also support the pros and streamers. And therefore warns, “Interest can be lost quickly. “
