After three years, a new part of the UFC series will be released in October. Federation president Dana White is already going out on a limb – plus Frostbite is making its debut in the Octagon
UFC 5 is not even on the market yet, but federation president Dana White is sure: The game “is the most realistic MMA experience fans can have outside of the Octagon”. The 54-year-old said this in EA SPORTS’ press release.
In it, the publisher officially announced that the MMA series will receive a new addition with a new part – starting on 27 October 2023. For the first time, a title of the UFC games has been developed with the Frostbite engine, which EA SPORTS has been using for some time in FIFA and now also in EA SPORTS FC 24, among others. The Real Impact System was also announced as a big draw of the new features.
Like cut from TV?
This means that the “characteristics and abilities of the athletes” adapt in the course of the fight. There would be a total of 64,000 new facial damage combinations, as well as “new fluid physics and particle systems”. These are designed to get blood and sweat flowing in the Octagon and provide “a near 1:1 representation of a Pay-Per-View main event”.
“From our Real Impact system, which helps maximise the performance of the generational hardware, to the enhanced lighting, detailed characters and strand-based hair and facial animation system, every aspect has been improved,” said Nate McDonald, lead producer of EA SPORTS UFC 5.
Community wishes come true
In addition to these two headline new features, many community-requested upgrades have also been included, he said. Starting with the Cinematic Knockout Replay. This “shows the end of a fight with enhanced graphics and heightened tension” and presents the decisive strike in super slow motion. Unlike in UFC 4, interruptions can occur during a fight as soon as you “do not save the injured person from further damage”. This is supposed to offer fans of the series new “sporting-strategic variables”.
For this to happen, however, you have to dish it out in the Octagon. In this regard, there are new strike animations that mimic “heavy hitters, professional kickboxers and more” – “paired with new movement variations for ground-and-pound elbow strikes, spinning attacks, body punches and calf kicks. In addition, hit reaction animations and physics can trigger clean connecting blows during a frenetic fight – moments that fans can feel with high immersion during gameplay. “
Submissions become more fluid
The seamless submissions have also been reworked. The “enhance the existing grappling system with faster animation transitions and the removal of mini-games. Grapple Assist helps newcomers while veterans can explore deeper levels. Seamless submissions provide a more fluid, authentic ground game for grappling enthusiasts.” If it’s “It’s Time!” again virtually, there would be “a revamped live service with features like Fight Week and Fight Picks tied to real-world UFC events. Alter Egos are all-new versions of top fighters that capture authentic, career-defining moments and offer alternative looks and associated skills.”
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will grace the cover of the UFC 5 Deluxe Edition. As described, the latest instalment in the series will be released on 27 October. However, only on the new generation consoles, i.e. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series XS.
