FIFA 23, developed by EA Sports, marks the final installment in the legendary FIFA franchise under its longstanding partnership with the global football governing body. Released in September 2022, it closes the curtain on a legacy that spanned nearly three decades. With next-gen realism, cross-play innovations, and expanded women's football content, FIFA 23 delivers both nostalgia and a glimpse into the future of football simulations.

The game is more than a seasonal update — it’s a historic sendoff that refines mechanics, deepens immersion, and celebrates global football culture. For fans of the franchise, FIFA 23 represents a bittersweet farewell to an iconic title.

1. A Farewell to the FIFA Name

After nearly 30 years, FIFA 23 marks the end of EA’s partnership with FIFA. Starting in 2023, the franchise transitions into a new era under the name EA Sports FC. This makes FIFA 23 a symbolic milestone.

The developers leaned into this finale by packing the game with special content, tributes to global football, and gameplay refinements designed to celebrate the franchise’s long-standing popularity.

It’s a game that not only represents the culmination of an era but also serves as a bridge to the future of football gaming.

2. Gameplay Refinement and HyperMotion2 Technology

FIFA 23 builds on the momentum of FIFA 22 by refining its HyperMotion Technology. With HyperMotion2, over 6,000 real-world animations are integrated using advanced motion capture from high-level matches.

This technology improves realism in areas such as:

• Player movement and responsiveness

• Defensive positioning and transitions

• Ball physics and shot dynamics

Gameplay feels smoother and more organic. Player collisions are more realistic, first touches have weight, and the general tempo is more in line with professional football. It’s particularly noticeable on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, where HyperMotion2 is fully supported.

3. Cross-Play and Online Integration

One of FIFA 23’s most celebrated features is its cross-play support. For the first time, players across PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC can compete in core 1v1 modes, including:

• FUT Division Rivals

• Online Friendlies

• Seasons mode

Cross-play excludes older-generation consoles and some modes like Pro Clubs, but it’s still a major step toward unifying the community and ensuring competitive fairness across platforms.

Online matchmaking is faster, more consistent, and offers broader competition. This feature dramatically enhances FIFA’s online ecosystem.

4. Ultimate Team Evolution

FIFA’s most-played mode, FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT), receives notable updates in FIFA 23:

• FUT Moments introduce bite-sized scenarios with unique challenges and rewards

• Chemistry system overhaul allows players more flexibility in squad building

• Icons and Heroes return with new additions, including Yaya Touré, Park Ji-sung, and more

While monetization remains a major component, the inclusion of more accessible content and untradeable objectives helps create a balance between casual players and hardcore spenders.

The card collecting meta continues to evolve, keeping FUT as addictive and competitive as ever.

5. Career Mode and Player Personalization

Career Mode in FIFA 23 is more immersive thanks to additions such as:

• Playable Highlights – letting players control only key moments

• Personality system for created players (Maverick, Heartbeat, Virtuoso)

• Real managers like Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp are selectable

• Dynamic cutscenes during transfers and training

These changes don’t reinvent Career Mode but breathe new life into it. Players have more agency over their journey — whether as a manager guiding a club to glory or as a rising star building a legacy.

6. Expanded Women’s Football Content

FIFA 23 makes major strides in women’s football, offering:

• Fully licensed Barclays FA Women’s Super League (England)

• Division 1 Féminine (France)

• Women’s UEFA Champions League and World Cup content

• Female players in Pro Clubs and Volta

The inclusion isn’t just cosmetic — female animations are distinct and tailored using motion capture from real athletes. EA’s effort to create authentic representation moves the sport forward, both in-game and beyond.

7. Volta Football and Street-Style Gameplay

Volta Football returns as the franchise’s take on small-sided, skill-based play. FIFA 23 includes:

• 4v4 and 5v5 modes

• Arcade-style mini-games like Foot Tennis and Dodgeball

• Weekly objectives and gear customization

• Cross-progression with Pro Clubs

While Volta still lacks the depth of classic FIFA Street games, it offers a fun, casual alternative that emphasizes style, trick moves, and quick matches.

8. Visuals, Presentation, and Matchday Experience

FIFA 23’s matchday atmosphere is more immersive than ever with:

• Broadcast-level graphics and replays

• Enhanced crowd reactions and chants

• Realistic pitch wear and tear over 90 minutes

• Cinematic pre-match build-ups

The new Power Shot mechanic adds a visual and tactical layer to shooting, requiring precise input for high-risk, high-reward finishes. Camera angles, commentary, and lighting adjustments all contribute to making each match feel more alive and authentic.

9. Accessibility and Global Reach

FIFA 23 continues EA’s push toward accessibility and diversity:

• Adjustable difficulty scaling

• Subtitles, colorblind modes, and custom control mapping

• Support for multiple languages and global regions

The game’s appeal spans continents, making it one of the few truly global titles. FIFA 23 continues to bring people together around a shared love for football, regardless of nationality, skill level, or platform.

10. Legacy and the Transition to EA Sports FC

As the final installment under the FIFA name, FIFA 23 is a tribute to a franchise that shaped generations of players. From nostalgic fans of FIFA 98 to newcomers joining via cross-play or mobile apps, it unites eras under one final title.

EA has already announced EA Sports FC as the spiritual successor. While the licensing agreement with FIFA ends, nearly all clubs, leagues, and stadiums will carry over. FIFA 23, therefore, stands as both an ending and a beginning — the ultimate capstone to the franchise’s most successful period.

Conclusion

FIFA 23 doesn’t reinvent the game, but it refines and celebrates it. With enhanced realism, expanded modes, cross-play, and the strongest women’s football presence yet, it serves as both a sendoff and a celebration.

For long-time fans, it’s a nostalgic conclusion to an iconic gaming era. For newcomers, it’s a perfect entry point before EA Sports turns the page. Whether you play FUT, Career Mode, or casual Volta matches, FIFA 23 is the culmination of decades of football gaming — and it makes sure to go out on top.