The Pitch Notes
EA SPORTS FC™ 24 | Pitch Notes - Gameplay Deep Dive
My name is Keegan Sabatino, Gameplay Producer on EA SPORTS FC™ 24, and helping me today I have my colleagues Thomas Caleffi, Breno Leao, and Rory Hilson, with special thanks to everyone in the Gameplay Team. Together, we are going to dive deep into the most important gameplay improvements and adjustments we have crafted for EA SPORTS FC™ 24.
Note: The following abbreviations will be used for controls: LS = Left Stick, RS = Right Stick
Gameplay Improvements in EA SPORTS FC™ 24
Feel closer to the game with new cutting-edge technologies powering unparalleled realism in every match—HyperMotionV, PlayStyles optimised by Opta and an enhanced Frostbite™ Engine — as well as new gameplay features across the pitch like the new Precision Pass, Effort Dribble and Controlled Sprint features amongst many more that improve your gameplay experience in EA SPORTS FC™ 24.
HyperMotionV
HyperMotionV [PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC]
Driving the biggest leap forward in gameplay authenticity and realism to date, HyperMotionV translates the rhythm and fluidity of real-world football into The World’s Game using volumetric data of more than 180 top-tier matches from competitions like the UEFA Men’s and Women’s Champions League, Premier League and LaLiga EA SPORTS. This means that movement in EA SPORTS FC™ 24 comes from teams like Real Madrid, PSG, and Manchester City and that the animations of hundreds of in-game players are influenced by actions of real-world professionals on the pitch.
Advanced 11v11 Match Capture and Machine Learning combine to bring HyperMotionV to life:
Advanced 11v11 Match Capture [PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC]
Volumetric data helps to power HyperMotionV—full teams playing full matches in the top competitions around the world, captured live by a bank of cameras around the stadiums, meaning data from players influence how they move in-game.
Machine Learning [PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC]
Using Advanced 11v11 Match Capture data HyperMotionV teaches the EA SPORTS FC™ proprietary machine learning algorithm how to recreate true-to-football motion, even in real time to make The World’s Game feel immersive and unique.
In EA SPORTS FC™ 24, we used machine learning to enhance the movement between Technical Dribble touches and to evolve the ML-Flow feature.
HyperMotionV gameplay technology unlocks the following features in EA SPORTS FC™ 24:
Full Team Volumetric Motion [PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC]
HyperMotionV volumetric data powers authentic 11v11 movement by capturing all 22 players at once in real competitive matches. The result is over 11,000 true-to-football animations, nearly twice as many as last year, so that both squads move like the top clubs in the world—as a team.
AI Mimic [PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC]
AI Mimic takes footballers’ real-world volumetric data and uses advanced artificial intelligence to recreate unique body movements live in EA SPORTS FC™ 24, allowing fans to experience Haaland’s signature running style—plus 1,200 more of the best footballers in The World’s Game.
AcceleRATE 2.0 [PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC]
AcceleRATE 2.0 significantly expands our AcceleRATE feature, dividing our player movement system into more unique archetypes. This allows us to showcase more granular personalities in player acceleration and further improve the viability of different player types in EA SPORTS FC™ 24.
A quick refresher on the base Acceleration Types:
- Controlled: Most players in EA SPORTS FC™ 24 will fall into the basic Controlled type, as they accelerate in a more balanced and controlled manner.
- Explosive: Shorter and more agile players who are quicker to start, but their acceleration rate slows down after the initial burst of acceleration.
- Lengthy: Taller and stronger players that start slow but thrive over longer distances once they get going.
In EA SPORTS FC™ 24, we are introducing four new acceleration archetypes to represent more players’ movement styles:
- Controlled Explosive - 50% Explosive, 50% Controlled
- Mostly Explosive - 70% Explosive, 30% Controlled
- Controlled Lengthy - 50% Lengthy, 50% Controlled
- Mostly Lengthy - 70% Lengthy, 30% Controlled
AcceleRATE is assigned automatically to players based on a combination of their Acceleration, Height, Agility, and Strength Attributes. That said, Acceleration and Sprint Speed are still the main factors in determining how fast a player is overall.
This is how the AcceleRATE categories are assigned:
Type |
Height |
Agility |
Strength |
Acceleration |
Agility vs Strength |
Explosive (Pure) |
<= 175 cm (~5’9’’) |
>= 80 |
— |
>= 80 |
>= 20 |
Mostly Explosive |
<= 182 cm (~6’0’’) |
>= 70 |
— |
>= 80 |
>= 12 |
Controlled Explosive |
<= 182 cm (~6’0’’) |
>= 65 |
— |
>= 70 |
>= 4 |
Controlled |
Any |
Any |
Any |
Any |
Any |
Controlled Lengthy |
>= 181 cm (~5’11’’) |
— |
>= 65 |
>= 40 |
>= 4 |
Mostly Lengthy |
>= 183 cm (~6’0’’) |
— |
>= 75 |
>= 55 |
>= 12 |
Lengthy (Pure) |
>= 188 cm (~6’2’’) |
— |
>= 80 |
>= 55 |
>= 20 |
Kinetic Physical Play
- Kinetic Shielding [PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC]
- Utilising the same technology as Kinetic Air Battles, these new 2-players shielding animations provide more authentic battles over a ball when a player is attempting to shield their opponent.
- Shield Pushbacks - Allow you to create space from your opponents by pushing them away from the ball
- Press L2 || LT to request a Shield Pushback
- Pushbacks are more effective the higher the difference in Strength between the shielder and the player they are attempting to push
- Shielding when holding L2 || LT
- The effectiveness of the shielder is reduced the longer the Shield button is held.
- The stronger the player, the longer they can shield effectively.
- The impact of Attributes in the Shielding mechanic has been increased, with Strength having the biggest impact.
- Improvements have been made to the shielding system, including shielding effectiveness, shielder strength, and interactions.
AI True Flight Ball Physics
Artificial intelligence powers AI True Flight Ball Physics, studying hundreds of real-world passes, shots, free-kicks, and crosses and tuning them to make the ball dip, swerve, and soar in EA SPORTS FC™ 24 the same way it does when kicked by some of the best players in football.
AI Hands
StretchSense gloves capture natural hand movements at a new level of detail and pass that data to AI to generate on-the-go hand motions that mirror how hands, wrist, and fingers move when footballers play The World’s Game.
PlayStyles optimised by Opta
Optimised by real-world Opta, PlayStyles dimensionalise athletes, going beyond overall ratings to bring to life the on-pitch abilities that make players special. Each PlayStyle affects gameplay, giving players unique capabilities you’ll see and feel that make their way of playing more authentic. PlayStyles+ enhance those signature abilities to a world-class standard—think Haaland’s Power Shot, or Sam Kerr’s Finesse Shot—reflecting elite players’ abilities to play at a level that few others can reach.
SCORING
Power Shot
Who Has It
A player who is known for taking powerful shots from outside the box.
Gameplay effects - PlayStyle
Performs power shots faster and with increased speed.
Gameplay effects - PlayStyle+
Performs power shots much faster and with a significant increase in speed.
Dead Ball
Who Has It
A player who is known for being a specialist at taking set pieces.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Set pieces are delivered with increased speed, curve, and accuracy. Ball trajectory preview line is longer.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Set pieces are delivered with exceptional speed, curve, and accuracy. Ball trajectory preview line is at maximum length.
Chip Shot
Who Has It
A player who is known to often try to chip the goalkeeper when shooting at goal.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Performs chip shots faster and with greater accuracy.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Performs chip shots more quickly with exceptional accuracy.
Finesse Shot
Who Has It
A player who is known to try and place the ball when shooting at goal.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Performs finesse shots faster with additional curve and improved accuracy.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Performs finesse shots significantly faster with maximum curve and exceptional accuracy.
Power Header
Who Has It
A player who is known to strike with power when heading towards goal.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Performs headers with increased power and accuracy.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Performs headers with maximum power and accuracy.
PASSING
Incisive Pass
Who Has It
A player who is known for making defence splitting passes for a teammate to run onto.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Through Passes are more accurate, Swerve Passes are delivered with more curve, and Precision Passes travel faster to the destination.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Through Passes are far more accurate, Swerve Passes are delivered with maximum curve, and Precision Passes travel at top speed to the destination.
Pinged Pass
Who Has It
A player who is known for making high speed ground passes.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Passes travel faster along the ground without impacting the trapping difficulty of the receiver.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Passes travel much faster along the ground without impacting the trapping difficulty of the receiver.
Long Ball Pass
Who Has It
A player who is known for performing lobbed long passes to teammates.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Lob and Lofted Through Passes are more accurate, travel faster and are more difficult to intercept.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Lob and Lofted Through Passes are even more accurate, travel faster than ever, and are far more difficult to intercept.
Tiki Taka
Who Has It
A player who is known for making first-time accurate and short passes.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Executes difficult first-time Ground Passes with high accuracy, using backheels when contextually appropriate. Short distance Ground Passes are highly accurate.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Executes difficult first-time Ground Passes with even greater accuracy, using backheels when contextually appropriate. Short distance Ground Passes are exceptionally accurate.
Whipped Pass
Who Has It
A player who is known for making high speed whipped crosses into the box.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
All crosses are highly accurate, travel faster and with more curve.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
All crosses are highly accurate, travel faster and with more curve. Performs driven crosses with exceptional power.
BALL CONTROL
First Touch
Who Has It
A player who is known for accurate first touch control in difficult situations.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Has reduced error when trapping the ball and is able to transition to dribbling faster with greater control.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Has minimal error when trapping the ball and is able to transition to dribbling much faster with greater control.
Flair
Who Has It
A player who is known to try flamboyant moves (traps, passes, and shots).
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Fancy passes and shots are performed with improved accuracy. Performs Flair animations when contextually appropriate.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Fancy passes and shots are performed with even greater accuracy. Performs Flair animations when contextually appropriate.
Press Proven
Who Has It
A player who is known for keeping ball possession under physical pressure from the opponent.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Keeps close control of the ball while dribbling at jog speed and can shield the ball more effectively from stronger opponents.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Keeps exceptionally close control of the ball while dribbling at jog speed. Can shield the ball much more effectively from stronger opponents.
Rapid
Who Has It
A player who is known to use speed and knock the ball ahead of their opponent to beat them whilst dribbling.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Reaches a higher sprint speed while dribbling and has reduced chance of an error when sprinting or performing knock-ons.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Reaches even higher sprint speed while dribbling and has greatly reduced chance of an error when sprinting or performing knock-ons.
Technical
Who Has It
A player who regularly tries to beat an opponent by using technical dribbling ability (with little to no use of skill moves or little to no physical contact).
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Reaches a higher speed when performing Controlled Sprint and performs wide turns while dribbling with more precision.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Reaches even higher speed when performing Controlled Sprint and performs wide turns while dribbling with greater precision.
Trickster
Who Has It
A player who is known for being able to perform skill moves in 1v1 situations.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Grants the ability to perform unique flick Skill Moves.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Grants the ability to perform more unique ground and flick Skill Moves. Is significantly more agile when strafe dribbling.
DEFENDING
Block
Who Has It
A player who is known for performing elastic and overreaching blocks.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Increased reach when performing blocks and improved ability to make a successful block.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Even greater reach when performing blocks and improved ability to make a successful block.
Bruiser
Who Has It
A player who is known for winning possession by physical imposition.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Greater strength when performing physical tackles.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Even greater strength when performing physical tackles.
Intercept
Who Has It
A player who is known for performing interceptions and keeping ball possession.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Increased reach and improved chances of retaining possession of the ball when performing interceptions.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Even greater reach and improved chances of retaining possession of the ball when performing interceptions.
Jockey
Who Has It
A player who is known for being successful in 1v1 situations.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Increased max speed of Sprint Jockey and improved transition speed from jockey to sprint.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Increased max speed of Sprint Jockey and greatly improves transition speed from jockey to sprint.
Slide Tackle
Who Has It
A player who is known for often performing slide tackles.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Grants the ability to stop the ball directly at their feet when performing a slide tackle.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Greatly improved slide tackle coverage. Also grants the ability to stop the ball directly at their feet when performing a slide tackle.
Anticipate
Who Has It
A player who is known for having a high success rate getting ball possession on tackles with a low fouling rate.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Improved chances of standing tackle success and grants the ability to stop the ball directly at their feet when performing a standing tackle.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Significantly improved chances of standing tackle success and grants the ability to stop the ball directly at their feet when performing a standing tackle.
PHYSICAL
Acrobatic
Who Has It
A player who tends to perform acrobatic passes, clearances, and shots.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Performs volleys with improved accuracy and has access to acrobatic volley animations.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Performs volleys with significant accuracy and has access to unique acrobatic volley animations.
Aerial
Who Has It
A player who is known for having a high success rate winning aerial battles in both offence and defence.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Performs higher jumps and has improved aerial physical presence.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Performs even higher jumps and has greatly improved aerial physical presence.
Trivela
Who Has It
A player who is known for passing, crossing and shooting with the outside of the foot.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Contextually triggers "outside of the foot" passes and shots.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Contextually triggers "outside of the foot" of passes and shots. Reduced error on “outside the foot” passes.
Relentless
Who Has It
A player who is known for covering a greater area of the field compared to other players in the same position.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Reduces fatigue loss during play and increases fatigue recovery during half time.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Greatly reduces the long term fatigue effects on attributes, reaction time, and defensive awareness. Reduces fatigue loss during play and significantly increases fatigue recovery during half time.
Quick Step
Who Has It
A player who is known to have a quick burst of speed when accelerating on and off the ball.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Accelerates faster during Explosive Sprint.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Accelerates significantly faster during Explosive Sprint.
Long Throw
Who Has It
A player who is known to throw the ball further than the average player.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle
Performs throw-ins with increased power to cover a greater distance.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyle+
Performs throw-ins with more power to cover maximum distance.
GOALKEEPER
Note: Goalkeeper specific PlayStyles are limited for EA SPORTS FC™ 24. Most of them have only regular AI behaviour. PlayStyle and PlayStyle+ buffs are limited to Be a Goalkeeper modes (Player Career and Clubs).
Far Throw
Goalkeeper can target players further away with thrown passes.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyles
BAG (Be a Goalkeeper) players will have increased reach and handling closer to the end of the match.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyles+
BAG players will have greatly increased reach and handling closer to the end of the match.
Footwork
Goalkeeper will perform saves with their feet more frequently.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyles
BAG players will have increased reactions and speed in 1-on-1 situations
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyles+
BAG players will have greatly increased reactions and speed in 1-on-1 situations
Cross Claimer
Goalkeeper will try to intercept a cross if they can get to it slightly before the opponent.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyles
BAG players will have increased reflexes and reactions during opposing set pieces.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyles+
BAG players will have significantly increased reflexes and reactions during opposing set pieces.
Rush Out
Goalkeeper is more aggressive when coming out of the box to gather over-the-top balls or long through balls.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyles+
BAG players will have increased speed when running.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyles+
BAG players will have greatly increased speed when running.
Far Reach
BAG exclusive
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyles
BAG players are more effective at saving shots from outside the box with increased reach and jumping.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyles+
BAG players are significantly more effective at saving shots from outside the box with greatly increased reach and jumping.
Quick Reflexes
BAG exclusive
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyles
BAG players have increased reflexes and reactions when saving shots from inside the box.
Gameplay Effects - PlayStyles+
BAG players have greatly increased reflexes and reactions when saving shots from inside the box.
Attacking
Passing
Passing provides new tools for you to bring out your inner world-class passer. New features such as Precision Passing, Swerve On Demand, and Headers On Demand are just some of the mechanics that give you more control over your desired outcome.
Precision Passing
Precision Pass allows you to bend and shape the perfect pass with manual precision. This skill-based passing mechanic respects your accuracy when aiming at a target location. The player receiving a Precision Pass will attempt to move toward the ball’s destination.
To perform a Precision Pass, you have a few options:
- Press R1 + ▲ || RB + Y for a Precision Ground Pass
- Can be modified to add Swerve with L2 || LT (More info below)
- Press R1 + ■ || RB + X for a Precision Lob Pass
This new mechanic introduces more skill to passes and is designed so that players who can carve out their own space and aim precisely are rewarded for it.
The following attributes are the ones that matter most when attempting a Precision Pass:
- Long Passing and Short Passing, with Vision and Composure contributing to a lesser extent, Curve for Swerve attempts.
- These attributes increase Precision Lob Passes' accuracy and the quality of Precision Ground Passes.
Swerve On Demand
Having the power to control more aspects of your player is a crucial pillar we focused on this year, so the idea of Swerve On Demand was born. It allows you to curl your Ground, Through, and Precision Ground Passes to achieve passes never before possible.
To request a Swerve On Demand Pass:
- Press L2 + X || LT + A for a Swerved Ground Pass
- Press L2 + ▲ || LT + Y for a Swerved Through Pass
- Press R1 + L2 +▲ || RB + LT + Y for a Swerved Precision Ground Pass
- Power of the pass must be above (40) power
The Curve attribute is added to the pass quality calculation and dictates how much curve the pass will have.
Headers On Demand
Are you confident that a quick header pass to start a counterattack is the best choice? Now you can request that with Headers On Demand.
To request a Header On Demand Pass:
- Press L2 + R2 + Intended Pass type || LT + RT + Intended Pass type
- Player will attempt to make a header if the ball is above three feet from the ground.
Other Passing Changes
Input Changes for Passing:
- Driven Through Pass has moved to L1 + R1 + ▲|| LB + RB + Y
- From R1 + ▲|| RB + Y
- Driven Lob / Driven Cross has moved to L1 + R1 + ■ || LB + RB + X
- From R1 + ■ || RB + X
Outside of the Foot Passes:
- Only players with Trivela PlayStyle can perform Outside of the Foot swerving passes contextually.
- Outside Of The Foot Passes on Demand (L2 + Pass || LT + Pass) have been replaced with Swerve On Demand.
- Outside of the Foot Passes now only use the strong foot of the passer.
The following commands were removed to make room for our new Precision Passes: Driven Lobbed Through Pass (L1 + R1 + ▲ || LB + RB + Y), High Driven Cross (L1 + R1 + ■ || LB + RB + X).
Other Improvements:
- Passes can now be cancelled by performing a variety of Skill Moves.
Added hundreds of new and refreshed animations for Headers, Jostling Passes, Toe Poke Passes, and Sliding Passes.
Controlling the Ball (Dribbling)
A key aspect of football is your mastery of controlling the ball at your feet, so like other aspects of EA SPORTS FC™ 24, we want to give you more control over how you express your footwork.
Effort Dribble Touch
Effort Dribble Touch is a new mechanic in EA SPORTS FC™ 24 that allows you to quickly knock the ball in any direction and set up your next move. This is a great tool for moving the ball out of the path of your opponent’s feet, or to take a defender by surprise with a Controlled First Touch when used as your first touch of the ball.
An Effort Dribble Touch can be performed while dribbling or as a first touch, making it a versatile attacking weapon.
To request an Effort Dribble Touch:
- Press R1 + Right Stick || RB + Right Stick for an Effort Touch.
- A quick flick with the Right Stick will result in a shorter distance knock on the ball while holding Right Stick will knock the ball a greater distance.
Effort Dribble Touch can be used to cancel Passes and Shots.
Orbit Dribble
Orbit Dribble allows you to move around the ball without taking a touch. Use this to adjust your body position and set yourself on your stronger foot for the best shot or pass opportunity. This can also be used to draw in your opponent and combined with Effort Dribble to outmanoeuvre your opponent.
To perform an Orbit Dribble:
- Hold L2 + L1 + LS || Hold LT + LB + LS to start moving around the ball.
- Can be turned on/off in the settings menu.
Controlled Sprint
Controlled Sprint introduces a new dribbling speed that is faster than a Jog, but slower than fully Sprinting. Controlled Sprint has more controlled touches, keeping the ball closer to your player.
To perform Controlled Sprint:
- Hold R1 || Hold RB.
- Your player's Dribble and Sprint Speed attributes will affect your speed and control over the ball.
Additional Controlling the Ball Changes
- Backpedal Traps - Added several new animations with increased directional coverage.
- Head Traps - Added multiple new head-controlled Trapping animations.
- Header Accuracy attribute now affects your accuracy and control of Head Traps.
Input changes
- Agile Dribble input has been changed to L2 + R2 + LS || LT + RT + LS.
- From R1 + LS || RB + LS.
- Slow Dribble input has been changed to L2 + R1 + LS || LT + RB + LS.
- From L2 + R2 + LS || LT + RT + LS
Shooting
There are several changes to Shooting this year to improve responsiveness, and adjustments were made to shot assistance types to reward player skill.
Precision Shooting
For EA SPORTS FC™ 24, we took all the feedback we received on Semi-Assisted shooting and reworked it into what we now call Precision Shooting. This new shooting type can be enabled in the settings menu under Shot Assistance. As before, our goal is to reward players for their aiming ability with more consistent shot outcomes.
Precision Shooting consists of three main elements:
- Aiming Reward - A vital part of the system, where players are rewarded with increased accuracy the closer they aim to the net.
- Compared to an Assisted shot in a similar position, the accuracy of a Precision shot will be greatly increased.
- Aiming Indicator - New aiming indicator under your player. When you take a shot, it helps you understand where you are aiming.
- This indicator can be turned off in the Trainer Visuals options menu.
- 6-Yard Box Assist - New logic to assist first-time shots near the 6-yard box, so you don’t need to be as precise in the split second you have to get your shot off.
Headers On Demand
Do you sometimes cross the ball into the box and know that the best choice is to attempt a diving header? Now, as with Passing, you can request that with Headers On Demand for a shot.
To request a Header On Demand Shot:
- Press L2 + R2 + O || LT + RT + B
- Player will attempt to make a header if the ball is above 3 feet from the ground.
Shooting Improvements
- Quick Release Shots - When tapping O || B near the goal, your player will attempt to take the shot with the earliest animation possible for a very responsive shot.
- Power needs to be below 30% of the bar.
- Needs to be requested within the 18-yard box - anything outside this range will be a Low Shot.
- Advanced Shot Cancels - Shots can now be cancelled with a variety of Skill Moves.
- After powering up your shot, you have a brief window to use the Right Stick to transition into a Skill Move.
- Power Shot transition - You can now transition to a different shot type during the Power Shot animation.
- By pressing L1 || LB, you can transition into a Chip Shot
- By pressing R1 || RB, you can transition into a Finesse Shot
- Animation Refresh
- Added and refreshed new Acrobatic kicks, Headers, Shots from Jostling, Quick Release Shots, and much more.
Skill Moves
We have added new skill moves to the game and made some changes to existing ones.
Note: The following abbreviations will be used for controls: LS = Left Stick, RS = Right Stick
New Skill Moves
- Ball Roll Drag (4 Star)
- Hold L1 + Flick RS Fwd, Left/Right || Hold LB + Flick RS Fwd, Left/Right
- Drag Back Turn (4 Star)
- Hold L2 + Hold RS Back || Hold LT + Hold RS Back
- Flair Nutmegs (4 Star)
- Hold L1 + R1 + Flick RS Direction || Hold LB + RB + Flick RS Direction
- Flair Rainbow (5 Star)
- Hold L1 + RS Back, Forward || Hold LB + RS Back, Forward
Skill Move Changes
- New Trickster Playstyle Flicks and Skill Move controls below
- Trickster Flicks - R3 + LS in desired direction.
- Trickster Ball Roll - L2 + R2 || LT + RT from stand.
Trickster Ball Catch - LT + Fake Shot || LT + Fake Shot from stand.
Attacking Positioning [PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC]
Several updates have been made to the Positioning system:
Diagonal Runs
- Players will now attempt to make more decisive diagonal runs to cut through gaps in the defensive line or hold their position onside
Find Space in the Box
Players may position themselves higher inside the box while attempting to find a passing lane to empty space
Dynamic Defensive Line
Players will adjust to accommodate Wingbacks making attacking runs. They will shift or drop to cover their space while the Wingbacks are out of position.
- If one Wingback has pushed up to an attacking position, the rest of the defensive line will shift to cover and play in the shape of a 3-back
- If both Wingbacks push up to attacking positions and a Defensive Midfielder is on Drop Between Defenders then the two Center Backs will increase their width to allow the DM to drop between them and play as a 3-back
Defending
Defensive Actions
To give players more control over their defensive actions and promote more user-initiated interactions, we are adding some new defensive elements:
Advanced Defending
Advance Defending is a new setting that changes the layout of the defending buttons. The goal is to give players the choice of what defensive action they want to launch.
- Press X || A to request a Shoulder Challenge or Seal Out
- Press O || B to request a Stand Tackle
More Defensive Improvements
- New animations for Seal Outs and Shoulder Challenges from the front to increase the usefulness and situations where these mechanics happen.
- Animation cleanup, adding hundreds of new tackles, including back heel slides, stop-ball tackles, and blocks, and improving their coverage and efficacy.
Defensive Positioning
Zonal Defense
- When using a depth higher than 45, players will attempt to mark opponents higher up the field and close to the ball possessor, cutting off possible passing lanes.
- This can open up gaps for the attacking team to exploit if the initial press is broken
- When the ball is close to the sideline, the defenders will attempt to close down the ball carrier to reduce their near-passing and support options.
- This can leave the far side of the pitch open to attacking opportunities
Pressure Tactics Changes
When using pressure tactics, such as Constant Pressure, Pressure After Possession Loss or Pressure on Heavy Touch, a player’s marking tightness will be more varied, so not all players will be tightly marked. The goal for this change is to prevent the flow of the game from completely changing when one user switches to a pressure tactic, allowing the attacking team to make smart passing decisions to break the pressure.
Goalkeeper
The following changes have been made for goalkeepers in EA SPORTS FC™ 24:
New Push Deflects: When the Goalkeeper cannot catch the ball, they will now attempt to push a shot deflection into safer areas or out of play.
- Tip Overs: Improved detection of lobbed trajectory shots to use Tip Over saves and improved results of these saves.
Animation Refresh: New and refreshed animations for Saves with Feet, Diving Saves, Deflects, and Reflex Saves.
Player Switching
Player Switching allows you to customise the switching to your preferences
- Right Stick Switching Sensitivity
- Gives you control over what is more important when performing a Right Stick Switch: The distance of the player or the angle that was inputted
- When adjusting the sensitivity for Right Stick Switching, the higher the sensitivity, the more the game will respect your Right Stick input when selecting the next player. The lower the sensitivity, the more likely the system will select a player in closer proximity even if your Right Stick Input is not pointed directly at them.
- Next Player Switching Preference
- Nearest to Ball: Prefers players that are closer to the ball even if they may be slightly behind the current dribbler
- Goal Side: Prefers players that are on the goal side of the ball even if they may be further away from the current dribbler
- Classic: A combination of multiple factors, the previous default
Across The Pitch
Set Pieces
Free Kicks
- Increased Lob Passes power, curve and dip to provide more options when crossing the ball in from deep Free Kicks.
- Increased power, curve, and dip for shots from Free Kicks to allow for more shot types to be viable from different ranges.
- Added the ability to perform an Outside of the Foot Lob Pass.
Penalty Kicks
- Increased the save zones for Goalkeepers from 3 to 5 in order for more authentic decision making required from a Goalkeeper in Penalties.
- Last year, Goalkeepers in penalty kicks needed to select 1 of 3 zones to save a goal
- Left, Centre, and Right
- Now Goalkeepers will need to select from 5 zones to save a goal.
- Top Left, Bottom Left, Centre, Top Right, and Bottom Right
- Last year, Goalkeepers in penalty kicks needed to select 1 of 3 zones to save a goal
- [PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC] New Penalty Kick Avatar runs can be applied to Avatars in Player Career, Clubs, and VOLTA.
- Turtle, The Norse, King, Goalscorer, Freight Train, The Professor, Ranger, The Dutch, and Short and Sweet
- New Penalty Kick animations for Erling Haaland and many more.
Competitive Settings / Master Switch
As a refresher, Competitive Settings are mandatory in some modes but are available for all players in every mode of EA SPORTS FC™ 24 if they wish to play with them. The Competitive Settings / Master Switch has found a new home in the settings menu as a Preset. Selecting the Competitive Preset will adjust only the settings required for said modes below.
Here’s the list of modes that automatically turn on Competitive Preset:
- Ultimate Team Rivals, Ultimate Team Champions and Ultimate Team Draft (Online)
- Online Seasons and Co Op Seasons
- Clubs
- In Ultimate Team Friendlies and Online Friendlies, the Competitor Master Switch is on by default, however it is not mandatory.
One new setting has been added to the Competitive Preset
- Advanced Defending
- You can select between Tactical Defending or Advanced Defending with the Competitive Preset enabled.
Rules
- Referee Strictness: Added new systems to differentiate between the referee strictness options. Now referees of different strictness will call offsides, push pulls, and many more types of fouls differently from each other.
- Better Tackle Detection: Using a new physics system to better detect tackle trajectories and calculation for increased accuracy of foul calls.
- General Improvements: Improved Breakaway logic and last-man-back situations to make better foul decisions.
Player Movement
New Avatar runs can be applied to Avatars in Player Career, Clubs, and VOLTA FOOTBALL:
- Turtle, Matilda, Lioness, and more
Player Humanization
- Upper Body Injury Animations: Players who have an upper-body injury will now play a new set of animations during gameplay.
- Attacking Player Appeals: Attacking players will now appeal to the referee when a ball is cleared off the goal line.
Additional changes:
- Ad board collisions: Players will play new animations when unable to stop before colliding with ad boards for more realistic anticipations for collisions.
- Movement Preservation Everywhere: Goalkeepers will preserve their movement when diving and falling to the ground to bring more authentic motion to the game.
- Avoidance:- Added new animations for players avoiding each other to provide more coverage.
CPU AI
CPU AI will use the new PlayStyles and mechanics added to EA SPORTS FC™ 24, such as Precision Passes, Swerve On Demand, Shield Pushback, and Quick Release Shots. We have also made several improvements to the strategies and decision-making of the CPU AI during the game to further strive for authentic gameplay across all difficulty levels.
Deeper Match Analysis (Eval Engine)
Eval Engine
- Added new stats seen in broadcasts, such as Win Probability Prediction, Contested Possession, Ball Recovery time, and Line Breaks
Additional Changes
We also made changes to some other areas worth calling out:
Practice Arena
- Scenarios Practice Arena - Move, add, and remove players to create new scenarios.
- Move back and forth between playing your scenario and scenario set up, and keep practicing and changing your scenarios as you desire.
- Your last created scenario is saved, so when you return to the mode it will be set up for you to continue.
- Practice Match is also now available.
- Jump into a match where no score is tracked. Simply hop in, play, and leave when you feel like it.
- In both new modes, you can choose the difficulty of the opponent's team.
- New Jumping Barrier prop has been added to the Free Kick Practice Arena to help you improve your skills in Free Kicks.
PS5 Enhanced Haptics
- Intense Haptics: New haptics options for PS5 will allow players to turn the haptics feedback up to the maximum possible on the controller.
Skill Games
- Added new Skill Games focused on teaching new mechanics and high-score hunting, such as:
- Precision Passing
- Precision Shooting
- Controlled Sprint
- Try out the new PlayStyles in Skill Games to truly feel the difference it makes on players.
Reworked Career Mode Skill Games to make them more challenging and engaging to fit the new training system.
Thanks for taking a dive into EA SPORTS FC™ 24’s deep gameplay changes. We hope this was informative and entertaining, and that you all have fun with EA SPORTS FC™ 24!
EA SPORTS FC™ 24 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC and Switch
Stay in the conversation on all things EA SPORTS FC™ by following us on our official X, Instagram, and YouTube, our Dev X channel @EASFCDIRECT, on the EA SPORTS FC™ Tracker and participating in the official EA SPORTS FC™ Forums.
