Title Update 6 will be released in EA FC 24 soon. The announced Christmas update brings, among other things, an innovation that was eagerly desired by the FIFA community. We’ll introduce you to the change and summarize the fans’ reactions for you.
What innovation is it about? An important change will come to AI-controlled pressing. According to the latest pitch notes, opposing players should be less aggressive in the future. This applies to both the wings and the center of the field.
More space in midfield and less pressure on the wings
What do the changes mean for gameplay? EA writes in the pitch notes that they want to “provide even greater tactical range” (via EA Sports). For example, there should be new open spaces and more play stations in the center. It is hoped that this will result in more pass relays in the midfield.
This could create a new competitive situation for the two best formations in EA FC 24, almost all of which are professionals.
There should also be less pressure and more time for the wing players, because “it could happen so far that too much pressure was put on this professional and the defending team was too high.” (via EA Sports). Now the professionals would have more space to turn and turn so that they can create new playing and passing situations.
Given these new circumstances, formations like the 4-1-2-1-2 (narrow diamond) or the 4-3-1-2 could become really interesting again. These are careful to combine with lots of passes through the center.
EA Sports is responding to the ongoing criticism of the last few months and is willing to make adjustments to the AI’s automatic OP pressing. This new approach not only sounds promising, but the community also likes it.
Fans are thrilled: “I can finally play differently again.”
How does the community react? On Reddit, the Christmas patch was welcomed with open arms by most of the community. There has already been a lot of commenting on the subreddit “EA Sports FC Holiday Update Patch Notes”. Many of the comments celebrate the contents of the new patch.
The top comment sums up this euphoria aptly: “I just saw someone get on their knees in an Asda (English supermarket chain, editor’s note).” (via Reddit) This post is intended to… Fans expressed their relief that their demands have finally been heard by EA Sports.
Another comment with many likes is already optimistic about the weekend in view of the weakened AI and is looking forward to the Weekendleague with its new rewards:
Regarding the reduced pressure on the wing players, he writes: “Thank God. I’ve finally been able to play differently in FUT Champions for a month now.” What this means is that the previous pressing meta hardly allowed any variability in playing with the ball. According to the patch notes, this should now be relaxed.
But not everyone is convinced: But some also warn against enthusiasm too quickly. Thanks to the weakened AI, you have to be able to trust your own skill in manual defense again. In this context, one user puts the brakes on the euphoria: “I think a lot of people believe that the reduced pressing is good for them. But it’s not.” (via Reddit).
In the end, it remains to be seen what impact the changes will have on the gameplay. The patch notes at least show many good approaches. You will probably be able to try out for yourself tomorrow, Thursday, December 7th, 2023, how exactly the adjustments will affect the gameplay. We assume that the patch will appear in the morning and will be available for download.
If it really happens that the AI presses and defends less, you will have to be able to rely more on your own defensive skills again. If you still need some help, we recommend our 5 tips for conceding fewer goals in EA FC 24.