EA Sports played up an especially juicy ending: upon feedback from the players, it confirms a huge gameplay overhaul. The reactions? Let’s just say nobody is doing the wave.
The official EA Sports FC tweet listed the biggest three new changes in the game about to be released because of two gameplay presets, fine-tuning of fundamental mechanics, and features inspired by the communities. What a lovely marketing phrase in theory, but Twitter replies tell the complete opposite.
The presets: supposedly for different playstyles. Yet players like KK68617516 are saying no to this: “So still no build up play.. same through balls to the attacker.. where is AI line setup like real life.. They Never learn it..” Ouch. That is more than just being criticized. That is a big facepalm moment.
On servers: Fideliostheone went right to the jugular, saying “fix servers please” – a comment that T1_Mantiss seconded: “Just sort the laggy servers and the game will stand a good chance.” It’s like EA promising you a five-star meal while the restaurant’s roof is leaking.
On the community-inspired-features front, there was suspicion: Mekziikana called for doom immediately: “You’ll end up destroying it with updates. Not excited at all.” HappyDon1985 smashed the hype: “The gameplay looks exaaaaaactly the same. Don’t fall for it folks.” That protracted “exaaaaaactly” just makes the doubt even louder.
Perhaps not all is gloom. A few actually want to try out those playstyles as explained by OSAKABRADYCR7: “bro playstyles are amazing.” ElPonete praised the offline improvements, while asking for just more on the online front.
The real kicker? Cross-platform Pro Clubs is the other end on which AmuricanCFC, while joined by several players, is imploring. AmuricanCFC cut right into it, “Fuck that, just make pro clubs cross platform.” If your fanbase has started swearing at you for adding some basic features, that might be an indication for you.
According to EA, this will be the fine dining event of updates, but the playerbase has an uncanny recollection of how thisonepaned out: Same old gameplay with just a fresh paint-job; servers crashing under pressure; and features that few even asked for instead of the ones everyone is screaming for.
Will FC 26 be the deliverer? The jury is still out. However, if EA wants to bring the crowd back, maybe they have to start listening to what players are actually saying and, I hate to say it, maybe even acknowledge it instead of claiming they do. Because right now, the gap between marketing and the actual product seems larger than an off-side trap in a Sunday league game.
One thing is for sure: the numbers will tell the real story. Will players take a bite on these promises, or will they wait and see if EA finally gets it right this time? After years in the same cycle, skepticism out ranks a goalkeeper’s clearance.
