EA Sports match experience producer Thomas Caleffi has described the Fut 25 Coins changes in FC 25 as the "most significant change to tactics in over a decade" and a "beyond massive gameplay change." These updates promise to fundamentally alter how players and their responsibilities are handled in the game's tactical menus and on the pitch.
Key Changes:
Work Rates Removed:
The old system of work rates, which described how hard a player worked in attack and defense, has been replaced. Previously, this system primarily dictated player positions during gameplay.
Introduction of Roles and Focus:
Players are now assigned specific "roles" and a "focus" within those roles. For example, a central midfielder might be assigned the "Playmaker" role, with focuses such as Balanced, Attack, or Roaming. Different roles have specific focuses available, such as the Box-to-Box role only having Balanced.
This change aligns closely with the "roles" and "duties" system seen in Football Manager.
Dynamic Player Movement:
In a demonstration, various player roles such as Falseback for a right back, Centre Half for a center back, Attacking Wing Back for a left back, Half Winger for a right winger, and Shadow Striker for an attacking midfielder were shown. Players moved simultaneously in more complex and automated patterns compared to previous iterations where runs were manually demanded.
Team-Wide Tactical Changes:
The game now includes preset team-wide tactics like Tiki-taka or Gegenpressing, which can be quickly set up.
Deeper sliders adjustable on a 99-point scale allow for fine-tuning various aspects such as passing directness, influenced by broader settings.
A new code system for sharing tactics across console platforms makes it easier to share setups with friends or online communities.
Smart Tactics and Real-Time Adaptation:
"Smart tactics" provide intuitive and adaptive in-game tactical options accessible via the D-pad. This includes real-time tactical suggestions and prompts.
A new commentary system has been added to react to tactical changes, and the AR graphics highlight tactical elements on the pitch in real-time.
Substitution System Overhaul:
A new system for substitutions allows for custom substitutes or suggested ones to be used on the fly.
Role Familiarity:
Players now have a familiarity setting for each role, determined by their position. There are three levels: base familiarity (can play the role), Role+ (accomplished), and Role++ (world-class). Only a few players will have the Role++ level at launch. Out-of-position players will receive a simplified descriptor.
Impact and Expectations:
FC IQ introduces significant tactical depth, addressing long-standing issues with player intelligence and tactical subtleties. The implementation of these changes promises a more nuanced and realistic football simulation experience. However, how these changes will work in practice remains to be seen. The updates are promising and might even appeal to fans of Football Manager, though they might still find EA Sports' tactical depth lacking in Buy eafc 25 coins cheap comparison.