Despite crossplay becoming the norm for most online multiplayer titles, it has been noticeably absent from the FIFA games. Its omission from FIFA 22 was particularly striking, limiting your online play sessions to only those using the same platform as you. From the sound of things, however, EA is ready to change that with FIFA 23.
Crossplay in FIFA, explained
Let’s start off with what happened in FIFA 22. While EA Sports’ signature soccer game did not have crossplay functionality at launch, this feature was integrated into the game later on the life cycle on a trial basis. Crossplay functionality was only available in Online Seasons and Online Friendlies in FIFA 22, but that will be about to change for 23.
How crossplay works in FIFA 23
For FIFA 23, crossplay will be compatible for FUT Division Rivals (except Co-Op), FUT Champions, FUT Ultimate Online Draft, FUT Online Friendlies (except Co-Op), FUT Play a Friend, Online Friendlies, Online Seasons (except Co-Op Seasons) and the Virtual Bundesliga competitive game mode that is available to players based in Germany. This information was confirmed on July 20, alongside the release trailer of FIFA 23.
However, we should note that the users one will be able to match up with will depend on which version of FIFA is owned. Old-gen users on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will be able to match up with each other, but won’t be able to match up with current-gen FIFA owners. On the flip side, PC and Stadia, Xbox Series X, and PlayStation 5 users can all match up with each other.
We should note, however, that the FUT Transfer Market will be crossgen, meaning that users across all platforms can trade with each other, aside from the PC.
Seeing crossplay being added to FIFA 23 is somewhat historic, and a real change from what EA has done with its sports games in the past. Crossplay was not available in prior FIFA games, nor in EA Sports’ Madden and NHL franchises, prior to 2022. While this is not clear confirmation that this feature will be added to EA’s other sports games in the near future, it nonetheless marks a historic moment in the development of FIFA, and what will eventually become EA Sports FC.
