Electronic Arts (EA) is set to take football video gaming to new heights with the use of cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology in their upcoming title, EA Sports FC 24. This year's game, which will be available on PS5 and Xbox, marks the first FIFA successor in decades and promises to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience.
Gone are the days of using motion capture suits on players from lower divisions to gather movement and gameplay data for the game. Instead, EA has implemented Volumetric video capture technologies and an AI mimic tech that can generate hyper-realistic animations of the world's top football stars. Additionally, AI machine learning algorithms are being employed to enhance players' movements, further elevating the authenticity of the simulation.
Real-life gameplay footage from crucial matches involving renowned teams like Manchester City and Arsenal is now digitally integrated into the FC 24 Frostbite game engine. This innovative approach allows the game to replicate real football more accurately, as it captures the movements of elite players like Erling Haaland and Bukayo Saka directly, eliminating the need for Spanish third division volunteers in cumbersome mo-cap suits.
Sam Rivera, senior producer on EA Sports FC 24, expressed his excitement during a producer showcase for the game, stating, "This is the culmination of multiple years of research and development to bring the real world of football into the world’s game. We can directly, from video, create animation for our game without the need for mo-cap suits. It creates a deeper connection to football because we can put the motion from real football in our game."
Moreover, the developers have introduced fledgling AI technology to improve ball physics. In the past, human animators had to manually adjust parameters to simulate realistic ball movement. Now, an algorithm learns from real-life ball behaviour, leading to more genuine ball bounces and overall movement.
Another fascinating aspect of EA Sports FC 24 is the introduction of AI hands. Utilising a new technology called Stretch Sense, the game captures the motion of players' hands in real life through a glove, which is then replicated digitally using algorithms, resulting in more organic hand and wrist motion.
The game's developers believe that these advancements have culminated in the most authentic football gaming experience ever created. Furthermore, EA's commitment to interconnectivity enables gamers to cross-play across all major game modes on PC, Xbox Series X, and PS5.
EA Sports FC 24 will feature an array of footballing giants, as the game has secured exclusive deals with the Premier League, UEFA, LaLiga, and Bundesliga to faithfully represent their athletes, clubs, and stadiums. Additionally, the game showcases a stronger emphasis on women's football, with the women's game featuring in the popular online mode Ultimate Team for the first time. Players will be able to mix teams, incorporating both male and female players.
Andrea Hopelain of EA Sports emphasised the inclusivity and diversity of the game, stating, "Celebrating sport for all is what continues to drive and inspire us. That’s why we’re proud to announce the most inclusive and diverse iteration of the game so far."
Football gaming enthusiasts can look forward to experiencing EA Sports FC 24 on September 29, promising a revolutionised gaming experience like never before.