The announcement of FIFA 21 focused heavily on PS5 and Xbox Series X. EA presented various new features of the new generation. However, it seems that PC players will not notice this for now.
Which version will land on PC? As EA Sports clarified in an FAQ about FIFA 21, the game on PC will not match the next-gen consoles.
“FIFA 21 on PC will be the same version that will be released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. More information on this will be available in the coming weeks.”
EA Sports in the FIFA 21 FAQ
That the FIFA versions on different platforms can differ is already known from the series. Even in past generations, the PC version sometimes lagged behind. The Nintendo Switch version even gets only legacy versions, which consist solely of roster updates and visual updates.
As harsh as it is for the Switch, the PC will not be hit that hard, but some features will probably only be available on the next-gen consoles for now.
What features do PS5 and Xbox Series X offer?
These features will probably be missing on PC: Regarding the next-gen variants, EA announced that they would provide information in the coming months. However, some features were already introduced during EA Play. These include:
- Super-fast loading times that can start games in seconds.
- Support for haptic controller features. Players are supposed to feel shots, passes, and movements almost in their own hands. The PS5 DualSense controller had such features built as a key point.
- Revamped body models: Next-gen technology is meant to depict players more realistically than ever before. Moreover, player movements are also supposed to look more realistic.
- Deferred lighting & rendering: This new system is supposed to enable authentic environments, especially in the stadium.
Whether more features will be added to the list will be revealed in the coming months. Console players have an advantage over PC players here: Those playing on PS4 or Xbox One can transfer their version to the next-gen consoles for free and take all the benefits with them. So, anyone planning to get a PS5 or Xbox Series X can play on the current consoles until then and simply switch systems afterwards.
Such an upgrade, for example in the form of a patch, seems unlikely on PC for now. It is possible that EA wants to accommodate players who do not yet have a high-end PC that can match the new consoles.
For now, we can only wait to see what information EA has to provide in the coming months. EA has also remained tight-lipped about the topic of crossplay in FIFA 21.
