Fifa 22: Release date, how to pre-order it and the new features to expect
The latest launch will boast pitch-perfect graphics with enhanced ‘hypermotion’ technology
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Your support makes all the difference.With England making it to the final of Euro 2020 and losing out to Italy in dramatic style on penalties, it’s been a big year for football fans. Now, the gamers among us can rejoice as Fifa 22 – the latest instalment of EA Sport’s popular franchise – is finally about to be released.
EA dropped the good news and the official reveal trailer just hours ahead of the Euros final back in July, while also confirming a number of new gameplay features – including “HyperMotion” technology, described by the EA as “the biggest animation refresh in Fifa history”. The trailer also announced highly-anticipated updates such as player “humanisation”, composed ball control, new attacking tactics, a goalkeeper rewrite and much more.
Paris Saint-Germain and France player Kylian Mbappé graces the game’s cover for the second year running, and EA also used the July reveal to announce the first names of the “ultimate team” roster. Boasting more than 17,000 players across 700 teams, 90 stadia to play in and more than 30 league tables, Fifa 22 players can participate in competitions including the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the Premier League.
“Each player experiences Fifa in their own way, but on-pitch gameplay is the unifying constant, so we’re excited to offer deep innovation there,” said Nick Wlodyka, the general manager of EA Sports Fifa.
With the game set to be bigger and more realistic than ever before, we’ve got you covered with all the details you need about Fifa 22, including its official release date and how to get your hands on both editions of the game.
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When is ‘Fifa 22’ coming out?
The game is set for worldwide release on 1 October for PlayStation 5, Xbox, Steam, Stadia, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. However, the date football fans can actually play the game differs depending on which edition of Fifa 22 you purchase.
How to pre-order ‘Fifa 22’
For the first time since the launch of Fifa 15, there are only two editions available – the standard edition and the ultimate edition. If you pre-ordered the latter then congratulations, you’ve been able to play the game, set up your ultimate team and tackle the Fifa 22 puzzle master since 27 September. Pre-ordering the standard edition of Fifa 22 means you’ll be able to play from the worldwide release date on 1 October.
Both the standard and ultimate editions of Fifa 22 can be bought right now by visiting the EA website, and the editions are also available on Amazon (from £59.99, Amazon.co.uk), Game (from £64.99, Game.co.uk), Very (from £54.99, Very.co.uk) and GameByte (from £54.95, Gamebyte.com).
Another deciding factor between ordering the standard or the ultimate edition is that on PS4 or Xbox One, you’ll be unable to upgrade to the next-gen version of the game for free with the standard edition. So if you plan on upgrading your Xbox or PlayStation in the near future, you might be better off buying the ultimate edition.
While the standard edition is around £59.99, the Fifa 22 ultimate edition is around £89.99 on all platforms. As well as a free console upgrade, this version includes added bonuses such as 4,600 Fifa points.
When does the pre-order for ‘Fifa 22’ end?
Those looking to pre-order will be able to do so up until the game’s worldwide release date, 1 October. This now only applies to the standard edition though, as the ultimate edition was released on 27 September.
What time is the ‘Fifa 22’ web app released?
While the game itself isn’t being released to everyone until the beginning of October, the Fifa 22 companion smartphone app landed on 22 September. Also released back in September was the FUT 22 web app, used to manage players’ Fifa ultimate team club.
‘Fifa 22’ career mode
After years of pressure from fans, EA has introduced new gameplay into Fifa’s career mode, allowing you to create your own club, manage your team, customise kits, stadia and more.
These player-created clubs will be available in manager mode and can participate in any of the game’s leagues, with your curated club replacing an existing club. Start by creating a name, choosing a preset nickname and assigning a rival club. You’ll be able to customise your home and away kits as well as your crest, pitch patterns, net shapes, walkout music and crowd chants.
This isn’t the only change to the game’s career mode, with other updates including being able to come on as a sub, a manager rating system, match objectives and player growth.
‘Fifa 22’ hypermotion technology
One of the most highly-anticipated updates to Fifa is its new “hypermotion” technology, which is exclusive to PlayStation 5, Xbox series X/S and Stadia. To achieve it, EA used motion capture on 22 professional players and combined this with a machine-learning algorithm that created more realism in the player’s in-game movements and reactions.
Top releases of the year
Fifa 22 rides the tide of a series of exciting launches over the past year, including the instant PS5 hit, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (£55.99, Amazon.co.uk), released in June. “Rift Apart has charm to burn, in its character design, lively combat mechanics, and explorable levels that feel large without seeming maze-like, busy without being cluttered,” said our reviewer, adding that “it’s big, it’s bright, and it’s almost impossible not to love”.
Another popular launch was Ghost of Tsushima (£34.99, Very.co.uk) on PS4, released in July 2020. The atmospheric deep-dive into feudal Japan was met with critical acclaim and earned a spot in our round-up of the best PS4 games. “Set in 13th century Japan, Ghost of Tsushima is the perfect PS4 game for anyone who’s ever dreamed of being a roaming samurai,” said our writer, adding that “what follows is cinematic gameplay with a unique fighting system that sees you using wild new tactics to fend off the Mongols once and for all”.
Making it into our edit of the best PS5 games, Spider-Man: Miles Morales (£44.99, Currys.co.uk) was released back in November 2020 and saw Peter Parker replaced by his awkward protégé, Miles Morales. “This is a streamlined adventure with a more focused story, far less busy work and an endearingly clumsy protagonist still getting to grips with his powers,” said our reviewer. “The city looks stunning too, dressed up in fancy modern ray-tracing effects that make the real world seem unacceptably bleak.”
Discover more immersive titles in our edits of the best PS4, PS5 and Xbox One games.
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