So why have EA (Electronic Arts) decided not to release the next-gen console version of FIFA22 on the PC? Are they right to deny PC owners the opportunity to play the game at the full capability of their computer hardware?
The next-gen consoles will be getting Hypermotion which will improve in-game animation. EA is also claiming the game will have improved AI. Below is the FIFA22 reveal trailer which highlights the new Hypermotion tech.
Why are PC owners not getting the next-gen features in FIFA22?
Last November. Executive producer Aaron McHardy told Eurogamer regarding the PC release of FIFA21. “So we made the choice to keep the PC version of the game on the gen four versions of FIFA so that we can open the doors and be inclusive to everybody who wants to play FIFA.”
I checked the latest Steam hardware survey for June 2021. According to the survey, the two most popular Graphics cards are the Nvidia GeForce 1060 and Nvidia GeForce 1050Ti. The survey showed that just under 16% of Steam users are using one or of those graphic cards.
My thoughts on EA decision
Following my survey of hardware on Steam that I mentioned in the previous section. I do have some sympathy with EA position. However, both the PS5 and XBOX S uses modified PC hardware. This means that many PC gamers will have hardware capable of running Hypermotion. Yet those gamers will lose out as they have to pay the same price for a game that has restricted performance.
Is it really beyond EA capability to publish a version of FIFA22 on the PC that checks the capability of the PC hardware on which it is being run? After all, I have played games that recommend the best graphics settings for my hardware and I’m sure you have to.
Conclusion
This year I didn’t buy FIFA 2021 until January when I bought it in the new year sales as I didn’t think FIFA20 was much of an improvement over FIFA19. Why should I pay £50 each year for a game with little in the way of improvement? EA could learn from Saga and SI games on how to keep fans coming back for more with every new release of Football Manager.
What are your thoughts?