FIFA 22 crossplay test begins on PS5, Xbox Series S/X and Stadia

FIFA 22 will soon begin cross-play – or cross-platform play support – for multiplayer matches, EA Sports revealed on Tuesday. The game will allow PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X and Google Stadia users to play FIFA 22 with other players on these platforms. It is currently unknown if the PC version of the game will offer support for cross-play. The test suggests that EA Sports could be working on implementing cross-platform support in more game modes on the upcoming FIFA 23 – or EA Sports FC 23, if the license goes away – due later this year.

In a post on the website, EA said it would begin testing cross-play support on the PS5, Xbox Series S/X, and Stadia versions of FIFA 22 “in the near future.” The test will be limited to Online Seasons and Online Friendlies modes, with cross-platform support on current-gen consoles and Google’s cloud-based game streaming service. FIFA 22 will consider players from other platforms for matchmaking once a user opts into the next cross-play test.

The new widget for Cross-play support on FIFA 22
photo credit: EA

When the crossplay test for FIFA 22 is enabled, players will see a widget in the lower right corner of the screen. Opening the widget will allow players to register or withdraw from the test. The widget will allow users to select a friend’s name to invite them to a match. The Online Friendlies mode will also allow players to choose friends from other platforms, according to EA Sports. Meanwhile, FIFA 22 will also allow cross-play test participation to be toggled through the Matchmaking Options Settings screen.

EA Sports says the upcoming cross-play test will not directly impact gameplay, and matchmaking in Online Seasons will consider players from other platforms once the test begins. While players of the PS5, Xbox Series S/X, and Stadia versions of the game can participate in the test, it’s unknown if previous-gen consoles and PC players will have access to cross-play in the future. Sony’s PlayStation 4 has cross-platform support on select titles, after support for the feature was introduced in 2018.

According to the publisher, the crossplay test for FIFA 22 will only include support for Online Seasons and Online Friendlies to reduce the risk of introducing new issues to the game. gameplay data and feedback from both modes “will help inform how cross-play might be implemented in future titles”, suggesting that FIFA 23 might officially support cross-play in additional game modes when released later this year. .

It should be noted that EA Sports FIFA does not support cross-generational play due to gameplay differences between the PS4/Xbox One version and the PS5/Xbox Series S/X version of FIFA 22. The PC version is considered part of the last -gen, alongside PS4 and Xbox One. Therefore, even if FIFA 23 / EA Sports FC 23 were to have full cross-play support, it would not work on PC and console generations.