EA introduced crossplay into the FIFA franchise for the first time in FIFA 23 after a successful short trial period at the back end of FIFA 22. While crossplay is not available across all platforms and game modes, it certainly is a positive start!
Crossplay allows players in FIFA 23 to play with or against other players using a different platform. For example, you can now challenge your friend to a match even if they are on Xbox, and you are using a PlayStation.
As mentioned though, there are some limitations to crossplay in FIFA 23, so make sure you know everything about crossplay in this season's game.
FIFA 23 Crossplay
EA confirmed the arrival of crossplay in FIFA 23 during the reveal trailer long before the game was released, hyping up the arrival of the much-anticipated feature. In a statement, EA said the following:
Play together against friends on different platforms as FIFA 23 introduces crossplay for players on the same platform generation. Connect with friends and play in 1v1 modes, including Online Friendlies, and in FIFA Ultimate Team in FUT Play A Friend.
Plus, compete against players on different platforms in Online Seasons, FUT Online Friendlies, FUT Rivals, FUT Champions, and FUT Online Draft to help you to get into your next online match more easily than ever before.
The arrival of crossplay across multiple game modes was music to the ears of FIFA players, but there are some notable exclusions.
Crossplay Game Modes
Crossplay is limited to certain game modes in FIFA 23, including FIFA 23 Ultimate Team, Online Friendlies, Online Seasons, and the Virtual Bundesliga. All players have access to crossplay upon launching the game.
The compatible game modes for crossplay are:
- Ultimate Team - Division Rivals (except co-op), FUT Champions, Online Draft, Online Friendlies (except co-op), Play a Friend.
- Online Friendlies
- Online Seasons (except co-op)
- Virtual Bundesliga (only available to players based in Germany)
Pro Clubs is a notable omission from the list of playable modes, something we hope to see rectified in FC 24.
Compatible Platforms
Just like certain game modes, some generations of consoles are not crossplay compatible with one another. Players can only compete against or team up with players who are using the same generation of consoles.
What this means is that players using a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S Stadia, and PC can play together as these versions of FIFA 23 are all crossplay compatible.
PlayStation 4 and Xbox One players are also crossplay compatible with one another, thus meaning the ld generation consoles and current generation consoles will not be compatible for cross-play.
FUT Transfer Market Explained
With cross-play introduced in FIFA 23, the Ultimate Team Transfer Market will be populated in a slightly different way.
There will be three different grouping pools, with PC having their own separate market to trade with other PC users, and Switch doing the same.
That means that PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox X|S and Stadia users will all be using the same Transfer Market Player Pool in FUT, despite next-gen consoles not interacting with older models in online matches.
You can read more about crossplay in the FUT Transfer Market.
FC 24
EA has revealed that FC 24 will be the name of the franchise moving forward after their high-profile split with football's governing body, FIFA. What this means for the game is unclear for now, although EA has promised that all our favourite game modes will remain available to play, and potentially some exciting new features!
Licenses are always a big talking point of any football game, and other than the name change, EA has stated that the game will include "more than 19,000 fully licensed players, 700 teams, and 30 leagues, with the support of over 300 global football partners that will allow further expansion into areas including both women’s and grassroots football."
The release date of FC 24 is likely to remain similar to the FIFA franchise, although there are rumours of an early release in line with the start of the football season in August!