FIFA 23 gameplay features revealed with major changes to dribbling, shooting and more

Just one week after EA Sports dropped their first look at FIFA 23, another new trailer has now been released focusing on FIFA 23's gameplay.

After the unveiling of the brand-new FIFA 23 cover stars and the reveal trailer, fans of EA Sports' FIFA franchise had every reason to be excited about EA's final FIFA game, with FIFA 23 confirmed to get a UK and worldwide release on Friday, September 30, 2022. FIFA 23 will be the end of an era for EA and FIFA after it was confirmed that their 30-year partnership would be coming to an end.

The reveal trailer gave a first look at some new features coming to FIFA 23 including a revamp to FIFA Ultimate Team, the addition of Women's football at club level, official FIFA World Cup modes for both the men's and women's game and the long-awaited introduction of cross-play. However, EA received backlash regarding the latter as it was confirmed that the Pro Clubs game mode will not receive cross-play, leading to the #SaveProClubs hashtag trending on social media.

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So, what was released in the FIFA 23 gameplay trailer? Let's take a look.

FIFA 23 HyperMotion2 Technology and Machine Learning

HyperMotion 2 is the new technology used in FIFA 23, an upgrade on HyperMotion which was introduced in FIFA 22. HyperMotion2 was created using the state-of-the-art Xsens suits to capture two full 90-minute games at Real Zaragoza's stadium in Spain - double the amount of gameplay was captured than FIFA 22, with 71 players captured at once including the benches and officials.

HyperMotion is the foundation for FIFA 23 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Stadia. This technology is composed of two major anchors: Advanced 11v11 Match Capture and Machine Learning. As well as the two 11v11 match capture games, EA continued to capture new animations by running five different training drills in the Xsens suits to help capture a high volume of actions and animations which may not happen often in a match.

Samantha Kerr is a cover star of FIFA 23 (EA SPORTS FIFA)

The use of the advanced match capture was to help create a full team authentic motion, with the Xsens suits capturing over 6000 true-to-life HyperMotion enabled animations. With the introduction of women's football, one of the 11v11 match captures was an all-women's game.

This was used to help try and create animations specific and distinct to female players, all based on real-life movement. Some of the new features tailored to the women's game are three unique sets of movement archetypes based on height variance, totalling hundreds of distinct animations, signature run styles based on real players, including Sam Kerr and more, and added hundreds of new women-exclusive animations,including shots, kick-offs, stationary idles, celebrations, jockeys, passes, ball control, dribbling and more.

In FIFA 23, EA are expanding their machine learning algorithm to new areas of the game. Using the data captured from the 11v11 match capture, the machine learning algorithm will study and learn the animations, resulting in different and new motion and animation each time.

In total, the algorithm is learning from 9.2 million frames of data which was captured in the 11v11 match to write new animations in real time to create six new realistic and new football motions in FIFA 23.

Technical Dribbling

EA are introducing Technical Dribbling into FIFA 23, a brand new dribbling system that incorporates the Active Touch system to calculate a player’s path to the ball more intelligently. Technical Dribbling's aim is to improve the feeling of movement while controlling the ball, making turning and dribbling feel more responsive.

Technical Dribbling is the new default dribble style in FIFA 23 which is done by using the Left Stick, but the quality of the dribble is still heavily dependent on the player’s dribbling stats, with higher attributes having a better impact. Attributes like Dribbling, Ball Control, Agility, Reactions and Balance all impact how the attempted dribble will pan out, down to the speed of the dribbler, how close or far the ball stays to the dribbler, the speed of the animation and how quickly the ball carrier can transition between different animations.

FIFA 23 will feature HyperMotion2 Technology (EA SPORTS FIFA)

Technical Dribbling will only be used with the Left Stick, with dribbling modifiers such as Agile Dribbling, Strafe Dribbling, Shield Dribbling and Slow Dribbling separate systems that do not use Technical Dribbling.

ML-Jockey

The new Machine Learning Jockey aims to give the player more control and responsiveness when defending attackers in FIFA 23 whilst Jockey (L2 on PlayStation controllers || LT on Xbox controllers) or Sprint Jockey (L2+R2 || LT+RT) are being used. ML Jockey has been introduced to help expand the use of the Machine Learning algorithm into a fully player-controlled feature and also provide a counter to Technical Dribbling.

Machine Learning technology writes animations in real-time, which means as you defend with Jockey, the Jockey system will be constantly updated to improve the fluidity, consistency, player behaviour and positioning of the defensive situation. In FIFA 23, the Jockeying player will have the ability to turn more versatile to improve their defensive coverage and the deceleration of players will be slower when dropping from high sprint speeds into Jockeying, making it tougher for players to rely on unrealistic stops and turns.

Players' defensive awareness will impact a player's maximum speed whilst Jockeying in FIFA 23, whilst the player's Sprint Speed will not have an impact at all. The higher the Defensive Awareness, the faster a player can perform the Jockey movements. Players can also now Jockey with their hands behind their back within the box.

AcceleRATE

An expansion to EA's player movement system, AcceleRATE divides players into unique archetypes, enabling the chance to showcase personality in player acceleration with the goal of improving the viability of different player types in FIFA 23.

Inspired by real-life differences between footballers, AcceleRATE is being introduced because even though players can have similar top speeds, there are factors that need to be considered that impact how they move across the pitch. Most players will fit into the default acceleration type which FIFA 23 have labelled as Controlled, but there are two other acceleration types - Explosive and Lengthy.

The new gameplay update in FIFA 23 will see more realistic animations (EA SPORTS FIFA)

Controlled is the category that most players in FIFA 23 will fall into as they accelerate uniformly in a controlled manner. Explosive are shorter and more agile players who are able to quickly cover short distances and get ahead of their opponents, even if that means slowing down after the initial burst of acceleration.

And lastly, Lengthy applies to taller and stronger players that accelerate more slowly but are able to catch up to anyone and even surpass them, provided they have enough distance. In short, Explosive players can likely do better at short distances and one on one situations as opposed to Lengthy players who will do better over long distances such as in breakaways after a through ball for example.

This is how the AcceleRATE categories are assigned:

Explosive:

• Agility >= 65
• (Agility - Strength) >= 15
• Acceleration >= 70
• Height <= 180 cm (~ 5’11”)
• Example player: Vinicius Jr.
  

Lengthy:

• Strength >= 65
• (Strength - Agility) >= 15
• Acceleration >= 50
• Height >= 174 cm (~ 5’9”)
• Example player: Virgil van Dijk

Controlled:

• Any player that does not meet the other two requirements above.
• For example - Son Heung-Min

Power Shots

Another new addition to FIFA 23, Power Shots are a new high-risk high reward skill-based shot type that adds extra power and accuracy, but when attempting a power shot, input precision will become an even bigger factor.

Here’s how to perform a Power Shot:

• Press L1+R1+O on PlayStation controllers || LB+RB+B on Xbox controllers
• For a successful shot, plenty of space around the ball carrier is usually needed, as each Power Shots requires a significant wind-up.
• Aiming generally needs to be more precise, since Power Shots do not behave like default Assisted Shots and rely heavily on the player’s aim to be successful.

The addition of Power Shots adds a new layer of skill to shooting, rewarding the players who can find the space and aim precisely with a better chance of scoring. The following Attributes that impact Power Shots the most are:

• Shot Power, Finishing (if taken inside of the box) or Long Shots (if taken outside of the box) and Composure.
• These Attributes not only impact the accuracy of Power Shots, but also the speed and aim precision required from the player.
• The higher the aforementioned Attributes, the better a player can be at taking a Power Shot.

Redesigned Set Pieces

There's new ways to shoot in FIFA 23 (Football manager 2022)

There are new systems in place for set-pieces in FIFA 23 as EA try to give players more control over how the ball travels to the target. For free-kicks and corners, players can now choose where they strike the ball by using the left stick to pan the camera and change the kick direction.

The right stick is then used to control a reticle behind the ball to decide curl, elevation and the style of kick. A small trajectory line will also appear to show how the ball will travel for the first few metres. Attributes such as Curl, Shot Power, Crossing, and Free Kick Accuracy are all taken into consideration.

Players also have a new way or trying to defend free kicks in FIFA 23, with EA now allowing a player to lie down behind the wall to stop shots from creeping underneath. Using the left stick, one player can now lie down in an attempt to block shots.

Penalty Kicks

Penalties have also been refreshed in FIFA 23, with Composure now playing a big part in scoring from the spot. A shrinking composure ring will appear based on your players Composure Attribute.

Timing the shot when the ring is at it's smallest will give you the best chance of scoring, and when aiming with the left stick, there is no reticle and the aim is fixed, meaning shots wont re-centre. Timed Finishing has also been removed from penalties in FIFA 23.

Throw-ins

• A normal throw-in (X || A) with a player lock will now always go towards the locked target.
• Manual throw-ins (△ || Y) are always manual, even when the player is locked.
• Players with the Long Throw Trait will now be selected to perform throw ins.

Goal Kicks and Other Set Piece Improvements

• You can now move your outfield players unlimited times within the allotted time for a goal kick. Using L1 || LB for upfield movement and R1 || RB for coming closer.
• The previous goal kick goalkeeper position is maintained on the next goal kick to improve the flow of taking subsequent set pieces.
• Pass direction/target for goal kicks, free kicks and deep free kicks can now be changed until ball contact.

Shooting

Some of the updated shooting mechanics in FIFA 23 are Reworked Semi Assisted Shooting, Low Shots, Outside Of The Foot on Demand using the L2 || LT button and an updated variety of shooting techniques including dipping shots, downward shots, side foot shots, sliding shots and bouncing shots, diving headers and an animation refresh.

Composed Ball Striking

FIFA 23 will see new shooting animations added with Composed Ball Striking, a new system enabled by HyperMotion2. A refinement of Composed Ball Control in FIFA 22 allows players to transition more smoothly in certain shooting situations such as first-time shots or shots being performed to balls travelling in the air.

FIFA 23 is the only place to play the WSL (EA SPORTS FIFA)

Passing

A whole bunch of new passing options are available in FIFA 23, giving players more variety when it comes to the types of passes they make. Changes have been made to Competitive Passing, Semi Assisted Lobbed Through Passes, Semi Assisted Lobs, Outside Of The Foot Passes on Demand and Goalkeeper Passing with Feet.

There are also new pass settings in FIFA 23 including an Extended Crossing Zone - Expanding the regular crossing zone to allow for crosses at the top of the box. Hundred of new passing animations have been added as well for Volley Passes, New Back and Buttock Flair Passes, High Powered Outside Of The Foot Passes, Outside of Foot Lobs, Agile/Extended Passes, and Kick Offs.

Skill Moves

EA has added four new skill moves to FIFA 23 and three new fake shots, with the new explosive fake shot able to be used by players with at least 4-star skill moves. Players can also now perform skill moves with their left foot.

Here's how to do the new skill moves in FIFA 23. The following abbreviations will be used for controls: LS = Left Stick, RS = Right Stick.

Chloe Kelly will feature in FIFA 23 for the first time as a Manchester City player (EA SPORTS FIFA)

Stutter Feint (3 Stars):

• Hold L2 || LT + flick RS Left, flick RS Right, OR
• Hold L2 || LT + flick RS Right, flick RS Left
• Can be canceled with L2 + R2 || LT + RT

Heel to Ball Roll (4 Stars)

• Hold L1 || LB + flick RS Forward, flick RS Back
• Left Stick input determines the direction of the Skill Move (Left or Right)

Heel Fake (5 Stars):

• Hold L2 || LT + flick RS Left, flick RS Right OR
• Hold L2 || LT + flick RS Right, flick RS Left
• Available from a standing position only

First Time Feint Turn (1 Star): Hold L1 + R1 + flick LS Back || LB + RB + flick LS Back

• This Skill Move can only be performed as a first touch

Explosive Fake Shot (4 Stars):

• Fake Shot + flick LS while running
• Acceleration and Sprint Speed Attributes must be greater than 85.
• This Skill Move is not available to be requested in all directions.

Jog Open Up Fake Shot (1 Star)

• L1 || LB + Fake Shot + flick LS Right or Left
• This Skill Move sends the player in a right or left direction, depending on LS input.

Stand Open Up Fake Shot (1 Star)

• L1 || LB + Fake Shot + flick LS
• This Skill Move is not available to be requested in a backwards direction, relative to where the ball carrier is facing.

Super Flicks (1 Star)

• Hold RS in any direction or press in and hold R3 || RS + LS in any direction
• You can hold RS/R3 to get a further flick, the flick distance is based on the time that the right stick is held.

Skilled Bridge (4 Star)

• Hold L2 || LT + flick RS Forward, flick RS Back

Disguised First Touch (1 star)

• Hold L1 + R1 + LS Forward || Hold LB + RB + LS Forward
• This Skill Move can only be performed as a first touch.

The following Skill Moves have Left Footed variants and left-footed players will now use their strong foot for the following skills:

• Elastico, Reverse Elastico, and Triple Elastico
• Drag Back (jog/sprint)
• Simple Rainbow and Advanced Rainbow
• Hocus Pocus
• Flick Over (jog only), Sombrero Flick, and Flick Up to Self
• Running Fake Drag

Attacking Positioning improvements

Double Teammate Support

• Call more than 1 teammate close to support the ball
• This support can be requested by tapping R1/RB twice

Deep Lying Playmaker Player Instruction

• We added a new Player Instruction for midfielders to consistently ask for the ball and gravitate towards ball handlers
• Can only be applied to CDMs

Better Offside Awareness

• Players are less likely to drift offside and will hold their runs more often
• Players will try to stay behind the ball carrier when on a breakaway

More Separation Runs

• Players that are closely marked can create space from defenders by changing their run direction if they have an 85+ Positioning Attribute

Pin Down Defenders

• Players with Target Man Player Instruction or physically strong players (85+ Strength Attribute) will now try to back into defenders when inside the box
• You can make use of this behaviour to more effectively roll off of the defender after receiving the ball or perform a lay off pass to a teammate

Updated Tactical A.I.

• This update prevents players from being stationary for too long, adding more variety to player movement and match flow
• More attacking support is offered to the ball carrier when inside the opponent’s box and during build-up play

Controlling the Ball improvements

Step-Ins

• Stronger players in control of the ball can now step into the defender’s way and generate a bigger displacement when contacting weaker players
• Press and release L2 || LT to request a step-in

Contextual “Let Ball Run”

• This can happen in appropriate situations and only when your Left-Stick is pointed roughly 180 degrees during ground balls, in low urgency situations and the player is not close to the byline

Shield Pushback

• While shielding the ball, holding the Left Stick backwards (towards the opponent) will make your player attempt to push the player behind them with their body

Consistent Slide Traps

• Revamp of the system with dozens of new animations, used mainly to prevent the ball from going out of play

Defending

EA have enhanced Kinetic Air Battles to add further interaction between the goalkeeper and a heading player. This included dozens of new interactions, allowing 'keepers to more confidently jump to catch a cross. These animations occur when interacting with an opponent or a teammate.

Goalkeeper improvements

Goalkeeper Line of Sight

• GKs can be slower to react if their vision is blocked by players
• The goal with this change is to make blocked vision situations play out in more authentic ways, potentially creating new challenges to goalkeepers
• The Reflex and Reaction Attributes impact how much line of sight affects the goalkeeper’s saving ability

GK Throws

• Increased throw speed, improved accuracy, and added more effective trajectories
• GK Driven Roll - R1 + X || RB + A

New Save Animations

• Added multiple new save animations from Advanced Match Capture [NG], like reflex saves and knee saves
• Added new gestures to increase personality, such as adjusting gloves, giving instructions to teammates, new post-save animations, new conceded reactions, near miss shot reactions, and more

Defensive Positioning improvements

Partial Team Press (PTP)

• Double tap and hold R1 || RB
• Partial Team Press sends two of your players to closely mark the opponent’s passing options
• While PTP can be rewarding, it also risks potentially putting your players out of position if you’re not careful when using it
• Teammates continue to mark until R1 || RB is released, the players are switched, or their Teammate Contain Stamina runs out

Tactical Changes - Depth Tactics

• We’ve set greater differentiation between both extremes of tactical depth
• Higher Depth teams will hold the defensive line high and be quicker to push up the field when the opponent retreats
• Lower Depth teams will sit deeper and not push up

Defensive Awareness Quickness [NG]

• The Defensive Awareness Attribute influences how quickly defenders can get back into position if they are found outside of the zone they are intending to cover
• Generally, higher rated defenders will more easily recover and close down spaces

Tackling

In FIFA 23, there are more ways than ever to defend against attacking players, including new animations and types of tackles. Hard Slide Tackles are new to FIFA 23, a more aggressive type of challenge than can also act as a clearance

Hard Slide Tackles can be performed by pressing R1 + O || RB + X. Slide Tackling, Defensive Awareness and Aggression Attributes play a part in how successful the outcome of the Hard Slide Tackle is.

Another new tackle is the Backheel Tackles, giving higher-rated players the chance to make a last-ditch tackle in a skilful manner. To trigger these tackles, defenders need to have high Defensive Awareness and Standing Tackle Attributes.

Here are some of the additional changes made to tackles:

• Tackle outcomes are intended to reward players that accurately predict the direction of a feint and other movements
• Slide tackles are now a part of the Active Touch system with increased responsiveness, and improved tackle outcomes
• Standing Tackles will sometimes attempt to put the defender's body in front of the attacker when winning the ball
• A dispossessed player will no longer attempt to make an unrequested tackle after losing the ball.
• Shepherding the Ball: You can use a player’s body to shepherd the ball out of play. This will request your player to engage in a shielding action to prevent the opponent from getting to the ball and will attempt to ensure that your team wins the set piece if the opponent touched the ball last. To shepherd the ball, Hold L2 || LT with no Left Stick input
• Clearance Improvements: Clearances now use attributes like Defensive Awareness and Long Passing or Heading Accuracy, depending on foot or head clearance. Bicycle Clearances can also be performed on demand with L2 + O || LT + B
• Acrobatic Clearances, Agile Volley Clearances, Extended Volley Clearances, and Volleys are new ways of clearing the ball

Player Switching

Adaptive Right Stick Switching

• This is a new setting for Right Stick Switching
• Holding the Right Stick in a direction will allow a switch to players further away
• A visual indicator will expand from your input to show where you are aiming on the pitch
• Flicking the Right Stick allows you to switch to the closest player in that direction, just like Classic switching
• Our goal with this new switching system is to make it easier to switch to players further away without having to flick the Right Stick multiple times

Right Stick Switching Reference

• This setting determines who or what is used as the reference point for right stick switching
• Can be Ball Relative or Player Relative
• Icon Switching can now be used with either reference

Rules

5 Subs Rule

• With more leagues and associations reintroducing the 5 substitutes rule, FIFA 23 will also allow players to make up to five substitutions per match, except in Online Seasons and Seasons Co-Op matches

New Offside Advantage Indicator

• An icon will display in the corner of the screen indicating that an Offside Advantage has been called, when appropriate
• The defender can dismiss their advantage by asking for the offside call with L2 + R2 || LT + RT

Cancel Offside

• An attacking player that is offside running to the ball can cancel their run with Super Cancel (L2 + R2 || LT + RT) to take themselves out of the play and no offside will be called, letting the game progress and possibly triggering an offside advantage for the defenders

Referee Strictness Setting

• This is a new setting for offline modes that allows players to define how strict the referees will be during a match
• The options included are very lenient, lenient, default, strict or very strict
• Online matches use the default referee strictness

Player Movement

Increased Player Top Speed

• Further increased the max possible speed for all players to closely reflect a more authentic match flow, along with the intent of requiring players to use more space to reach their top speed

New Avatar Run Styles

• Added 5 new Avatar styles - The Norse, Dasher, El Pato, The Captain and Rising Star
• Can be applied to Avatars in Career Mode, Pro Clubs and VOLTA

New Star Signature Run Styles

• Added new Signature Run Styles for the new players
• Kylian Mbappé, Sam Kerr, Christian Pulišić, Vinícius Jr., Alphonso Davies, Pedri and more
• Over 130 players are now using Avatar Styles (instead of their normal run style) to more
• closely match their real-life movement

Physics

Advanced Impact Physics

• Blocks from defenders can now result in grazing deflections
• Players’ legs and feet can be pushed away by the ball, provided the impact has enough speed and force
• Goalkeepers’ arms, hands and fingers will be pushed by the ball after deflections and saves
• This will not affect the outcome of the save, it is a visual only change

Net Interaction Physics

• Goal nets now react to the motion of players running, sliding, or falling into them
• Higher Fidelity Net Interaction Physics [NG] - the shape and the reaction of the nets are further refined in the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Stadia versions of FIFA 23

Player Awareness

• Players will now act more intelligently and avoid colliding with the opponent in multiple scenarios, such as after a successful dribble or nutmeg

• Added new self-preservation behaviours, including reactions when the ball hits the player and goalkeepers bracing against the post

Authentic Falls

• Falling players now conserve velocity and bounce more after landing on the grass. Velocity will also be maintained when players are getting up

Stumbles

• We added new animations, and physical Attributes now affect how much players stumble and how quickly they recover from stumbles

CPU AI

CPU AI opponents have been refreshed for FIFA 23, with the AI now reacting better and more realistically to on-pitch situations and also having a greater tactical understanding. The AI can now act smarter and better when it comes to understanding the subs, formation and play style during a game.

The AI will also analyse the score, match type, match time, availability on the bench, and the match difficulty to change their approach appropriately. This means if the AI is losing 2-0 for example in a game, they could bring on attacking players for defensive players and change to a more attacking formation rather than remaining the same and accepting the defeat.

New CPU AI Only Traits

• Can go round the Keeper
• More First Time Shots
• More willing to commit riskier fouls, crosses, and counter attacks.
• Less likely to rely on backwards dribbles and can make more use of the sidelines and generally smoother dribbling transitions.
• More likely to consider a variety of passes and rely less on first time passing.
• Player-Based Difficulty now works on Legendary/Ultimate difficulty.
• Players affected by Player Based Difficulty get a +10 boost on all Attributes when on the ball.

Deeper Match Analysis

• Fairer ratings based on the player’s position.
• Less rating reduction for not scoring when playing anything besides a forward position.
• Ratings for players that excel at playing defensive roles should now better reflect their match accomplishments.
• Duels evaluate players' offensive and defensive effectiveness in one on one situations.
• Crossing Stats - Crosses Attempted and Crossing Accuracy.
• Offsides Caused
• Beaten By Opponent - a count of opponents who have beaten your player specifically by a dribble.

Celebrations and Crowds

FIFA 23 will see an improvement on Big Goal Movements, a new feature added to FIFA 22. in FIFA 23 there will be more scenes following last-minute winners and big goals, and there's also an array of new crowd songs and noises to be heard in-game.

PlayStation 5 Enhanced Haptics

Added new vibrations for Power Shots, the new Penalty Kick system, clean ball contacts after a tackle, and missed tackles.

New Skill Games and features

• Skill Games for Power Shots and Semi Assisted shots
• Skill Games for Defending with Hard Slide Tackles.
• Skill Games for Long Passing to train Semi-Assisted Lofted Through passes.
• Added point total needed to achieve the next rank which displays next to your current point value.
• Rebalanced all Skill Games to encourage more high score hunting.
• Rebalanced Career Mode Skill Games to fit better into the mode due to different scoring criteria from their main menu counterparts, and certain Career Mode Skill Games will feature some variation.

What are your thoughts on the FIFA 23 gameplay trailer? Let us know in the comments below!

FIFA 23 is developed by EA Vancouver and EA Romania and will be available worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Stadia, PS4, and Xbox One on September 30. Early access for FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition begins on September 27, 2022.