The first Deep Dive trailer for the gameplay in EA FC 26 announces the separation of solo and multiplayer. On MeinMMO, we explain what this means for the gaming experience and discuss further changes in gameplay mechanics.
What kind of trailer is this? Deep Dive trailers are intended by EA Sports to present changes in the new EA FC game more precisely. New gameplay mechanics are introduced. An expert explains, using different gameplay scenes, how the innovations affect gameplay.
The biggest announced change marks a turning point for the football simulation: From FC 26, there are 2 separate gameplay settings:
- Competitive Gameplay
- Authentic Gameplay
This completely new approach emerged from fan demands for more realism on one side and faster gameplay on the other. To meet both desires, EA apparently felt compelled to make a separation.
How will gameplay differ in the future? Simply put, you play different gameplay in multiplayer modes like Ultimate Team or Clubs than in classic single-player modes like Manager or Player Career.
Competitive Gameplay is designed to give you maximum responsibility over your actions regarding movements, shots, or passes against real opponents. Additionally, random factors like rebound balls after tackles by defenders or saved balls by goalkeepers should be minimized.
Authentic Gameplay in single-player aims to provide the maximum realism. It is noticeably slower and thus should reflect real football. Random deflections are just as much part of the game as slips on wet ground.
Note that you can also use Competitive Gameplay in single-player. The other way around is not possible.
The major innovation, as well as further adjustments, can be seen in the Deep Dive trailer. After the video, we will explain all other changes to gameplay.
Deep Dive: Gameplay Fundamentals and Other Changes
What are the new gameplay fundamentals? The following changes apply to both gameplay types. They represent fine-tuning for existing gameplay mechanics that were criticized by fans in FC 25:
- Improved goalkeeper play: smarter positioning and small movements make it harder for the shooter to score goals
- More agility: players can turn faster in all directions and respond more quickly to your commands, speed advantages for the fastest players
- Rewarding defense: won balls are likely to remain in your possession and not bounce back to the opponent
- Faster passing and dribbling: the speed and control of dribbling and passes have increased
- Smart attacking runs: more options for your attacking play through clever runs by the A.I.
- More assertiveness in direct duels: balls can now be better shielded from your opponents
Additionally, every shot can now be executed flat by double-tapping the shoot button. This abolishes timed finishing (since FIFA 19 in the game). The new precision setting for shots (since EA FC 25) replaces timed finishing for maximum accuracy.
High Contrast Mode to Fix Several Issues
What is the High Contrast Mode? In EA FC 26, you can adjust the colors of players, jerseys, referees, and balls even in-game with the High Contrast Mode. This is EA’s response to a known issue. It could happen that similarly looking jerseys were selected when choosing jerseys, making them hardly distinguishable in the game.
In EA FC 25, there was also an issue in the friendly match mode with jerseys that were difficult to differentiate in color, which annoyed not only people with visual impairments. These visual differentiation problems should now be a thing of the past.
Furthermore, the dark stadium shadows that made some match arenas appear too dark in the past can now also be removed. The difference between well-lit areas and barely visible, shady spots could cause quite a headache. That should now be fixed.
New PlayStyles and Player Roles for More Individuality
What new PlayStyles are there in FC 26? In FC 26, there will be 5 new PlayStyles. These give your players in offense and defense even more unique abilities:
- Precise Header: for precisely placed headers on goal
- Header Power: for more assertiveness in defensive headers
- Gamechanger: for flair finishes with the backheel or outside of the foot
- Creativity: for flair passes, for example with the backheel
- Assertiveness: for improved shielding off the ball
What new player roles will there be? 4 new player roles contribute to an even greater tactical diversity in modern football:
- Participating Goalkeeper: supports you in build-up play through a higher positioning
- Wing Defender (CB): center back moves out wide to secure wing backs
- Inverse Mobile Winger (RB, LB): supports attacks far up in a central position
- Variable Midfielder (CDM): pushes into the opponent’s penalty area when the opportunity arises
These are the main changes from the Deep Dive trailer on gameplay. More Deep Dives will follow in the coming weeks. Next, the new archetypes will be introduced.
We are interested in your opinion: What do you think of the innovations for gameplay? Feel free to write it in the comments! More announced changes can be found here: “The best trailer in 8 years” – EA FC 26 shows over 20 innovations in just 2 minutes
