Hey guys! So, you're buzzing about FIFA 23 and especially curious about how crossplay works in Ultimate Team? You've come to the right place. Let's break down everything you need to know about playing with your friends across different platforms in FIFA 23's most popular mode.

What is Crossplay in FIFA 23?

First things first, let's define crossplay. Crossplay, or cross-platform play, allows players on different gaming platforms to play with or against each other. In the context of FIFA 23, this means if you're on a PlayStation 5, you can potentially play against someone on an Xbox Series X/S or even a PC. This is a massive deal because it broadens the player pool and makes it easier to find matches, especially with friends who might not own the same console as you.

How Crossplay Works in FIFA 23

In FIFA 23, crossplay isn't universally enabled across all game modes, but it does feature prominently in Ultimate Team. Specifically, crossplay is available between players on the same generation of consoles. This means:

• PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC players can all play together.
• PlayStation 4 and Xbox One players can play together.

This division is primarily due to the technical differences between the older and newer generation consoles, ensuring a fair and consistent gameplay experience.

Crossplay in Ultimate Team

Now, let's dive into the specifics of how crossplay functions within FIFA 23 Ultimate Team. The good news is that crossplay is integrated into several key areas of Ultimate Team, enhancing the overall experience.

Ultimate Team Game Modes with Crossplay:

• Ultimate Team Rivals: You can match up against players from other platforms in Division Rivals, testing your skills against a broader player base.
• Ultimate Team Champions: Compete in the Weekend League against players on different platforms, vying for top rewards and bragging rights.
• Ultimate Team Online Friendlies: The most straightforward way to play with friends on other platforms. Just add them to your EA Friends list and start a match.
• Ultimate Team Co-Op: Team up with a friend, regardless of their platform, and take on other duos in various co-op modes.
• Ultimate Team Draft: Enter the draft mode and play against opponents from different platforms.

Benefits of Crossplay in Ultimate Team

So, why should you care about crossplay in Ultimate Team? Here are some compelling reasons:

• Larger Player Pool: Crossplay significantly increases the number of potential opponents, reducing matchmaking times and ensuring you always have someone to play against. This is especially beneficial for players in regions with smaller FIFA communities.
• Play with Friends: The most obvious and perhaps the most exciting benefit is the ability to play with friends who own different consoles. No more console wars preventing you from teaming up!
• More Competitive Matches: With a larger player pool comes a greater variety of skill levels. This leads to more competitive and engaging matches, pushing you to improve your game.
• Unified Market (Limited): While the Transfer Market isn't fully unified across all platforms, there is some level of integration between the PC, PlayStation, and Xbox markets, allowing for more dynamic trading opportunities.

How to Enable or Disable Crossplay in FIFA 23

If you're wondering how to manage crossplay settings, it's actually quite straightforward. Here’s how you can enable or disable crossplay:

1. Go to the Main Menu: Start up FIFA 23 and navigate to the main menu.
2. Access Settings: Head over to the settings menu. This is usually found under the 'Customize' or 'Options' tab.
3. Find Online Settings: Look for 'Online Settings' or a similar option related to online gameplay.
4. Crossplay Option: You should find a 'Crossplay' setting. Here, you can toggle crossplay on or off according to your preference.

Keep in mind that disabling crossplay might increase your matchmaking times, as you'll only be matched with players on your own platform. However, some players prefer this for various reasons, such as perceived differences in gameplay quality or concerns about cheaters on PC.

Potential Drawbacks of Crossplay

While crossplay is largely a positive addition to FIFA 23, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider:

• Connectivity Issues: Playing with users on different platforms can sometimes lead to connectivity issues, depending on the network infrastructure and geographical locations of the players involved.
• Fair Play Concerns: PC players have historically been associated with a higher prevalence of cheating in online games. While EA has implemented measures to combat this, some console players may still be wary of facing PC opponents.
• Market Differences: Although there's some market integration, the economies can still vary slightly between platforms, potentially affecting trading strategies.

Optimizing Your Ultimate Team for Crossplay

To make the most of crossplay in Ultimate Team, consider the following tips:

• Build a Balanced Team: With a wider range of opponents, it's more important than ever to have a well-rounded team that can adapt to different playstyles.
• Improve Your Skills: Practice your skills and tactics to stay competitive against a more diverse player base. Pay attention to player instructions, custom tactics, and set-piece strategies.
• Manage Your Chemistry: Ensure your players have good chemistry to maximize their performance on the field. Chemistry styles can further enhance specific attributes.
• Stay Updated: Keep up with the latest FIFA 23 news and updates to take advantage of new features and gameplay tweaks.

Crossplay and the Transfer Market

The Transfer Market in FIFA 23's Ultimate Team is partially unified for crossplay. This means that the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC share a single market. This integration aims to create a more robust and dynamic economy, benefiting all players. Here’s what you need to know:

Unified Market Benefits

• Increased Liquidity: A larger market means more cards are available, making it easier to buy and sell players.
• More Stable Prices: With more participants, the market is less susceptible to price manipulation and sudden fluctuations.
• Wider Trading Opportunities: You can find more deals and potentially profit from price differences across platforms.

Limitations

It's important to note that the Nintendo Switch version of FIFA 23 (if available) typically has its own separate Transfer Market due to technical and player base differences.

Cross-Progression in FIFA 23

One feature that many players have been eagerly anticipating is cross-progression – the ability to carry over your progress and items between different platforms. Unfortunately, FIFA 23 does not fully support cross-progression for Ultimate Team. This means:

• No Transferring of FIFA Points: You cannot transfer FIFA Points between platforms. If you switch from PlayStation to Xbox, your FIFA Points balance will not carry over.
• No Transferring of Ultimate Team Progress: Your Ultimate Team progress, including your team, players, and other items, is tied to the platform where you initially created your team. You can't move your team from one platform to another.

This lack of cross-progression is a significant drawback for players who own multiple consoles or who are considering switching platforms. However, EA may address this in future iterations of the game.

The Future of Crossplay in FIFA

Looking ahead, the future of crossplay in the FIFA series looks promising. As technology evolves and the gaming community becomes more interconnected, it's likely that EA will continue to expand and improve crossplay features. Here are some potential developments we might see in future FIFA titles:

• Full Cross-Progression: The ability to seamlessly transfer progress and items between platforms would be a game-changer, allowing players to enjoy FIFA on any device without losing their hard-earned rewards.
• Unified Transfer Market: A fully unified Transfer Market across all platforms would create a more vibrant and stable economy, benefiting all players.
• Crossplay in All Game Modes: Expanding crossplay to include all game modes, such as Career Mode and Pro Clubs, would further enhance the overall FIFA experience.
• Improved Connectivity: Continued improvements to network infrastructure and matchmaking algorithms would reduce connectivity issues and ensure a smoother online experience for all players.

Conclusion

So, there you have it – a comprehensive look at crossplay in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team! While it's not a perfect system, the benefits of crossplay are undeniable. A larger player pool, the ability to play with friends on different platforms, and more competitive matches all contribute to a more engaging and enjoyable FIFA experience. Keep an eye on future updates and developments, as crossplay is likely to play an increasingly important role in the FIFA series. Now get out there and start playing! Good luck, and have fun building your Ultimate Team across platforms!