FIFA 21 VOLTA FOOTBALL Deep Dive
The Pitch Notes
Hello FIFA Fans,
My name is Jeff Antwi, the Lead Producer for VOLTA FOOTBALL, and I’m here today to share some news with you.
Before we get into this article, I wanted to start by acknowledging that we’re in unprecedented times and I hope everyone is staying safe. Hopefully, what we have to offer you this year will bring you fun and enjoyment.
Last year, we brought back the small sided version of the beautiful game for the first time since the days of FIFA 98, and this was one of the top requested features by the community.
This year, we’ve focused on delivering the ability to play with friends online with VOLTA SQUADS. This is a new way to play by having teams of up to 4 friends or by dropping in with the community of other VOLTA FOOTBALL players in 5-a-side Online Team Play.
You can connect with friends through a new VOLTA STADIUM HUB that brings your squad and customized Avatars to the center of the action before challenging your opponents, climbing the ranks and earning rewards through weekly events.
With our new gameplay additions, we aim to provide a more free flowing and rewarding small-sided football experience. Some of these additions include improvements to AI behavior in order to create more dynamic opportunities in attack, updates to the Skill Moves system, and Agile Dribbling. We’ve also refreshed the blocking system with the goal of creating more rewarding 1 on 1 situations on both sides of the pitch.
We have also added new single player experiences. You can recruit some of the biggest names from the world of football and beyond to your VOLTA SQUAD in the new FEATURED BATTLES mode. Match up against AI-controlled star players as well as squads from the VOLTA FOOTBALL community as you compete for points and rewards in FEATURED BATTLES.
Today we’re excited to give you a detailed look at our new features and updates designed to give you a fun and rewarding experience.
Overview
Fast and Fun Gameplay
Whether playing solo or with friends, it all starts with our objective of making gameplay fast and fun. Let’s jump into our additions and improvements to existing systems that make for a more enjoyable, balanced, and engaging gameplay experience.
Energized Skill Moves
The team has focused on equipping players with the tools to be able to attack defenders with precise ball control and create special moments. Let’s start with the ball Flick Up.
You can flick the ball in the air with a press of the R3 button, and a combination of R3 + Left Stick to flick the ball in any direction. Players with a high Skill Move Rating will be able to pull off more creative animations.
1 to 3 Star Skill Players always perform basic combos like the one shown in the example below.
4 and 5 Star Skill Players perform a variety of moves such as the Thigh Flick, Ball Roll Flick, Rainbow, Ball Hop Flick, Sombrero, and more.
We also have a few moves that are exclusive to 5 Star skillers which include the Around the World Flick, Drag Back Flick Spin and Ball Roll Flick Spin. Here’s an example of the Ball Roll Flick:
In addition to being able to grow your Avatar into a 5 star skiller (more details on player growth later in this article), they will also have the ability to branch some moves into a pass or shot. Check out this example below.
Hold L2 + ☐/O + X or Hold LT + X/B + A
Agile Dribbling
VOLTA FOOTBALL is built on the foundation of the core FIFA engine which allows us to share fundamental improvements and new features such as Agile Dribbling. Time and space are crucial in the small sided game and the more agile you can be on the ball, the better. The new Agile Dribbling enables you to swiftly get past defenders to open up attacking lanes for passes and shots.
To use Agile Dribbling:
Hold R1 or RB and move LS
Nutmegs
Nutmegs are a big part of small-sided football. The new Nutmeg control allow players to launch the ball in a specific direction using the right stick, giving you a chance of putting the ball through a defender's legs.
To use the nutmeg mechanic:
Hold L1 + R1 or Hold LB + RB and flick RS to where you want the ball to go.
If you’re looking for a simpler method, nutmegs can sometimes occur contextually while dribbling and moving directly towards your defender.
Shooting Improvements
We spent a significant part of the development cycle ensuring our shooting system was better equipped for the small sided game. Our new shooting improvements allow players to shoot with more power and accuracy.
Long shot tuning has been improved, and being able pull off powerful shots from many angles was a priority of us. For matches without a goalkeeper, players will need to be more precise when aiming shots, because shooting will be manual to ensure the game remains balanced and fun.
The example below highlights how players can hit the ball with power.
Defending Improvements
We want to ensure players have fun on both sides of the ball and have the tools needed to do that. So, we’ve drastically improved our blocking system to allow players, both human and AI, to be more effective at preventing goals.
In matches with goalkeepers, you can use outfield players to block passes and neutralize attacks with all new blocking animations which aim to make defending more rewarding.
In Rush matches (where there are no goalkeepers), blocking is even more crucial to winning games and positioning your player to defend the goal acting as the “goalkeeper” and the last line of defense. Players will need to make a choice of tackling the dribbler or falling back to defend the goal and blocking shots.
Attacking Intelligence
Another major area of improvement to our gameplay this year has been the addition of an improved attacking intelligence system, where squad mates now better evaluate what the dribbler is doing in order to create better options. As a result, you’re able to generate fast and free-flowing moments, especially when counter attacking.
The AI will now create opportunities that didn’t exist last year. Here are a couple of examples of the attacking intelligence on display and how they can lead to fast attacks and counter attacks.
In the counter attack below, notice the run of the AI controlled player in the black shirt to read the situation and break into space so you can play the quick pass over the top.
We built this system so players will feel more support with less waiting around for something to happen. We're paying attention to what the dribbler is doing and responding with actions which create a better-paced and more dynamic gameplay experience.
VOLTA SQUADS
VOLTA SQUADS - Play Online Together
In VOLTA SQUADS, you can head online and dive into community Drop-In matches, Squad Up with a group of friends, or Play Solo. Whatever your preference, everyone competes together in the same online mode.
Community Drop In
Drop-In to a public lobby as your created VOLTA AVATAR, and team with up to three other VOLTA AVATARS from the community to challenge other community teams online.
When you Drop-In, captains will be randomly assigned the role. As captain, your Drop-In team will use your Team Crest, Team Name, Home Turf, and AI assigned teammates for any unfilled roles like the goalkeeper.
Captains can also choose to edit the Matchmaking Settings that determine Match Types, whether you want to play with Walls, No Walls, or have no specific preference. Captains can also determine the Opponent Type, such as Co-Op Teams Only.
Players that are not the captain in the Drop-In lobby are able to swap positions with AI players (except the goalkeeper), view the selected Matchmaking Settings, or check out the gear of the other players in the lobby as well as their Title. More on Titles later in this article.
If you find that you have a Drop-In team that has great team chemistry, you can choose to stay together for the next match. Players you compete with in the same Drop-In lobby are also listed on the Recent Teammates tile and can be sent invites to be friends on your friends list. Or course, if you’d like to jump into a new lobby at the end of the match, you have that option as well.
Squad Up with Friends
You can team with up to three of your friends and test your skills against other teams online. Start a private lobby and invite players from your friends list to form your team, with the private lobby host acting as the Captain who has the same abilities that exist in Drop In. If you’re playing with less than 3 friends, the AI teammates will be filled with players from the Captain’s starting squad.
Play Solo
With solo play, you are the Captain of your team. With full control over your AI teammates, you can use Squad Management to determine which players to field based on the style of play you prefer when taking on online opponents.
Climb Divisions & Ranks, Earn Unique Rewards
Divisions
There are multiple Divisions to progress through in VOLTA SQUADS and progression is tied to you as an individual Avatar. Everyone starts with placement matches that determine their appropriate Division.
Each Division has a Matchmaking Ranking (MMR) range calculated by match history. Movement through the different Divisions is determined by an increase in wins/losses in a player’s match history during the active Division event, which is also indicated in the Squad Progress panel.
At the start of a new Division event, a player will be promoted or relegated. Getting promoted into a new Division unlocks an exclusive Division reward including VOLTA COINS and gear only available in VOLTA SQUADS. With Divisions, the intent is to match players of similar skill level so everyone can have fair and fun matches.
Ranks
There are 5 ranks in each Division, 5 being the lowest and 1 the highest, and players earn points towards their rank progress in the Division events. Players participate in weekly events and earn rank points for every win, draw or loss. Along the way, players unlock unique limited time rank rewards for each new rank they reach within the event.
FEATURED BATTLES
Limited Time Events, Limited Time Rewards
During weekly events, players can take their Squads up against a series of AI-controlled opponents to earn Battle Points. By earning Battle Points, users can unlock Milestone Rewards including VOLTA COINS, gear, and featured matches.
Every event will have up to two featured matches. These matches include exclusive rewards available only in Featured Battles, and they are available only for a limited time.
Recruit a Team of Stars
Players will have the chance to match their squad against special Squads — including current superstars such as Kylian Mbappé, ICONS, and some groundbreaking talent along the way.
If you’re able to beat these Star-studded squads before the weekly event ends, you can recruit players from their Squad into yours.
Unlock Featured Club Kits and Attire
Players can earn club jerseys and gear available through Featured Battles. While you will be able to acquire some attire through our monthly New Arrivals, Featured Battles will be the only way to earn official club jerseys, from teams such as a Liverpool F.C. or Real Madrid.
The Debut featuring Kaká
The Debut is designed to help FIFA players better understand the mechanics of VOLTA FOOTBALL, both on and off the pitch. In a 2 to 3 hour cinematic experience, players will discover new locations, grow their Avatar, learn strategies, earn unique rewards, and build their Squad.
The story focuses on your Squad, with the teammates you choose to appear alongside your Avatar throughout the experience. The team you create will travel the globe, meeting football legends along the way. With a friendly nudge from Kaká, pursue glory at the Streets & Icons tournament in Dubai.
Visit New Locations
We’ve added 5 new locations for you to play in: São Paulo, Paris, Sydney, Dubai, and Milan. Each new location has a distinct feel of the local football culture, showcasing the passionate atmospheres around the world.
Grow Your Avatar
Avatars grow from playing matches, and The Debut will have access to optional training drills that will provide additional growth opportunities. The drills have been curated to teach users the fundamental skills needed to succeed in VOLTA FOOTBALL. This includes:
- How to perform simplified Skill Moves
- Quick ball movement
- Defensive positioning
- How to shield the ball
- The best ways to intercept passes
- Shot blocking techniques
- Finishing
- And others
Learn Gameplay Strategies
As players progress through The Debut, they will compete against squads built for particular play styles. From Lisa Zimouche’s skillers in Paris, to Issy Hitman’s powerful crew, to Ed Van Gil’s masters of possession, beating each Squad will require players to adapt to different styles of play.
Earn More Rewards
Players can earn items to kit-out their Avatar as they progress through The Debut, as well as high-skill squad mates to strengthen their team for Featured Battles and VOLTA SQUADS.
Rewards will be given for winning Matches, completing Skill Games, finishing Chapters, and winning Tournaments.
Stack your Squad
You can recruit high-rated players to your Squad as well as earn Legends of Street like Lisa Zimouche and Kotaro Tokuda.
Those who complete The Debut will be rewarded with a surprise and find themselves ready to compete at a higher level in VOLTA SQUADS.
GEAR UP
VOLTA FOOTBALL will have new gear releasing regularly, and we’re bringing football and fashion together with the latest branded apparel from street football, professional clubs, and celebrity designed collections.
We focused on 4 key areas:
- Establishing a Community Connection to unlock authentic street culture gear
- Cause Related gear to support social topics intrinsically linked to the football and the culture surrounding it
- Working with key talent to drive the aesthetic direction of in-game assets
- Adding a limited set of authentic football gear for avatars to support their club
GEAR UP is the gateway into a robust customization experience that reflects your own personal style. It acts as a hub for you to browse, unlock, and equip unique vanity items such as athletic clothes, street clothes, hair, hats, tattoos, and footwear. Items will be released monthly through challenge ladders and for a limited time.
All items fall within a tiered rarity system and many are grouped into ladders of increasing prestige. In each release, our goal is to enable players to climb challenge ladders to unlock the Legendary item through gameplay. You can unlock items by completing gameplay challenges or by using your VOLTA COINS which are earned by completing matches. The higher the difficulty, the higher the rewards.
Let’s highlight some of the gear we’re bringing to you this year.
Adidas Gear
Community Gear
Club Gear
We’ll be dropping a selection of EA SPORTS FIFA Global Partner Clubs lifestyle and training apparel throughout the VOLTA FOOTBALL year.
PROGRESSION
Player Growth
We’ve made improvements to the Player Growth system, your Avatar will grow their attributes by playing and completing matches in all VOLTA FOOTBALL modes faster than the previous year.
After every match, your Avatar will earn a Match Rating based on their Match Performance. Your Match Rating can increase based on successful in-game actions (such as effective passes, getting assists or scoring goals) or decrease based on unsuccessful in-game actions (such as intercepted passes or missed tackles). A higher match rating will result in a faster growth for your Avatar.
Attributes will grow at different rates depending on which of them are considered key for your avatar’s preferred position (Defender, Midfielder, or Attacker).
Objectives
New to the progression system are long term in game Objectives. The Objectives are specifically curated to onboard you to VOLTA FOOTBALL and reward mastery of the mode over time. We’re providing players with the ability to earn even more gear to apply to your Avatar.
Unlike the time sensitive challenges in our ladders contained in New Arrivals these are persistent and can be tackled by the player at their leisure.
Team Chemistry
Team chemistry is an important aspect of building a successful squad. We’ve optimized it for this year’s experience and by taking advantage of it you can give yourself a competitive edge over your opponents.
VOLTA STADIUM HUB
We wanted to ensure we improved your experience with VOLTA FOOTBALL’s UI. We looked at everything from how we onboard players, to how we presented information, and we aimed to eliminate friction points within the player journey. As a result, we have a brand new Stadium Hub that allows you to access everything VOLTA FOOTBALL has to offer quickly and clearly.
The clip above is a snapshot of what you can expect from the navigation, and when the Hub is live it will also feature contextual information relevant to your experience.
Thank you for taking the time to dive into some of the details of VOLTA FOOTBALL as we reach our second year.
We can’t wait for you to get your hands on VOLTA FOOTBALL and give us your feedback. Until then, stay safe and stay tuned to @EAFIFADIRECT for more news on FIFA 21.
The VOLTA FOOTBALL Dev Team, Jeff Antwi and Gabriel Zaro.
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For more deep dives on FIFA from members of the game team, check out the Pitch Notes Page.
The FIFA 21 season kicks off on October 9th. Pre-order* the FIFA 21 Ultimate Edition before August 14th, to receive a guaranteed Ones To Watch Player and more.
Please Note: This article is describing in general terms what updates the Dev Teams are working for FUT on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. We are constantly looking to improve the FIFA experience for everyone, so this article may become outdated as we make adjustments to keep our game fun for everyone.
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