E-sport professional Dani Hagebeuk shared his first impressions of FIFA 22 on his Twitter account. He describes the game as too slow and believes that EA is trying too hard to make it realistic. This is not well received by many players and has sparked discussions.
What is the reason for the debate? Dani Hagebeuk is a Dutch e-sport professional who plays for the football club Ajax Amsterdam.
With the start of the early access phase, players now have the first opportunity to get an impression of FIFA 22. Hagebeuk has done this and posted it directly on Twitter. However, what he had to say about the game was not well received by some FIFA players.
In his tweet, it seems that he is not particularly fond of the gameplay. The game is too slow for him, and EA is trying too hard to make it realistic.
Pro player criticizes FIFA 22 for being too slow and realistic – but many find it just right
What exactly does Hagebeuk say? The pro claims that the game is as slow as an actual football match. In his view, this is problematic. It is still a video game, and therefore it should feel like a video game.
The slow pace works in a real match with 90 minutes, but not in a FIFA match with 15 minutes. The game no longer emphasizes what gamers are particularly good at but renders these skills irrelevant.
The quality difference should lie in the things gamers excel at; the incredibly fast finger movements, quick thinking, always being two steps ahead of the opponent, and making the impossible possible.
@DaniHagebeuk via Twitter
When the game is this slow, the “gamer qualities” are, in my opinion, gone. I am concerned.
With his tweets, however, the pro has garnered some backlash, and many players disagree with his view. They appreciate the increased realism and the slower pace. Some players argue, while others react with mockery or anger.
For example, on Twitter, user Kai angrily responds: “If you’re looking for a game where you can beat people with incredibly fast finger movements, maybe you should try Guitar Hero? But hey, how can EA dare to make a game where you have to use your brain and foresight rather than just pressing the thumbstick in every direction.” (via Twitter)
Numerous commentators express similar sentiments, arguing that FIFA is about more than just quick tricks and finger movements. They view the slower and more realistic gameplay very positively. Hagebeuk is not alone in his sentiments. User Daniel Kidd writes: “The game really looks like it’s stuck in the mud. 45-yard finesse shots, Spider-Man goalkeeper movements. Too slow, […]” (via Twitter)
The discussion has also spread to the subreddit for FIFA 22 (via reddit.com). There, the pro’s tweet caused quite a stir. The post has around 2000 upvotes (as of September 25).
Reddit user aford92 illustrates how many players feel: “I have hardly played in the last few years, my playtime has decreased year by year because I simply can’t stand how ridiculously unlike football the game is! Finally, we are making progress, and all the e-sports enthusiasts and people who constantly use the word ‘meta’ are whining about it.” (via reddit.com)
However, many comments are simply insulting and below the belt. Hagebeuk certainly did not expect his impressions to be so controversial.
But what do you think? Is FIFA 22 too realistic for you as well? Participate in our survey:
Players worry that pros have influence on future updates
This might be behind the emotions: It is a phenomenon known from other games as well. Streamers and pros are now a major factor in the industry, with millions of followers.
When they play the game in front of these millions of spectators and criticize certain aspects, it garners much more attention than the “average player” in front of their TV or PC.
Especially in e-sports, major tournaments and championships are held, which receive a lot of attention and also award large prize money. Therefore, players fear that the pros’ words carry more weight in the eyes of the developers and could influence the game.
- Such debates have already occurred in Destiny 2. Developer Bungie has been accused of developing the game primarily according to the wishes of the players.
- The loot shooter Outriders had to face similar accusations after some changes.
Players may fear that EA takes the pros’ feedback too seriously and makes changes to the pace and realism based on that.
The debate shows how diverse the FIFA community is and how different groups value different aspects of the game.
Where do you stand in the discussion? Can you understand the concerns? How do you see the issue? Is FIFA 22 too slow for you, or are you pleased with the changed gameplay and the more realistic approach? Discuss with us in the comments.
If you haven’t played the trial of FIFA 22 yet, you can find 3 tips for the 10 hours in early access – How to make the most of the trial here.
