EA SPORTS FC 25 - GAMEPLAY REFRESH UPDATE

What’s New with the Gameplay Refresh Update?

With this update, you can look forward to:

• Significant enhancements to core gameplay elements such as passing, shooting, goalkeeping, and defending.
• Smoother offensive play to enable better ball movement.
• Reduced tacklebacks and fewer unnecessary AI interceptions.
• Fixes for defenders catching up too quickly to faster attackers.
• An updated Rush Club Search feature in Football Ultimate Team.

Let’s dive into the key updates coming with this refresh.

Balancing Defensive and Offensive Dynamics

Slower Defenders vs. Faster Attackers

We’ve addressed the issue of defenders catching up to attackers too easily, even when attackers had superior Pace Attributes. With Update #8, slower defenders will now struggle to keep up with faster ball carriers, making offensive gameplay more fluid and realistic.

Enhanced Offensive Positioning

To make attacking gameplay more engaging and effective, we’ve improved:

• AI teammate runs: Smarter runs to beat the offside trap and return onside faster.
• Offensive player support: Better movement into attacking spaces and quicker responses to opportunities.
• Playstyle familiarity: Players now perform support tasks like positioning and passing more effectively.

These changes will create a more dynamic and rewarding attacking experience.

Tacklebacks Reduced

We’ve made key improvements to tacklebacks, where opponents would regain possession too often after being tackled:

• Anticipation upgrades: Defenders with the Anticipate PlayStyle now redirect the ball to safer areas.
• Improved tackling touches: Tackles are more precise, reducing unintentional outcomes.

Upgraded Goalkeeper Behavior

Goalkeepers now handle near-post shots more authentically, including:

• Corrected positioning closer to the near post.
• Fixed issues where goalkeepers moved away from the near post in tight angles.

Passing and Shooting Adjustments

We’re making passing and shooting feel more responsive and rewarding:

Passing

• Ground Passes are faster and more accurate.
• Semi Assisted Through Passes are significantly improved.
• Reduced effectiveness of first-time Lofted Through Passes.

Shooting

• Higher accuracy and speed for shots inside the box.
• Improved finesse shot performance for players without specific PlayStyles.

Improved Defensive AI

While encouraging manual defensive control, we’re fine-tuning AI defensive positioning:

• Reduced AI marking tightness near the box.
• Better man-marking during counterattacks from corners.
• Balanced defensive roles, with players returning to appropriate positions more effectively.

Rush Club Search Update

Building your Rush Squad is now easier with a revamped search system:

• Search directly based on Rush Point Bonus criteria.
• Smart defaults show your best Player Items when criteria aren’t met.
• Manual search options remain available for full flexibility.