EA Sports FC 27 players have criticised the game's latest update, v1.1.0, claiming it does not address the issues that have made the game "boring" within a month of release. The patch, which focuses on bug fixes across several modes, has been met with frustration from fans who are calling for gameplay tweaks.
Fans React to Lack of Gameplay Changes
Players have complained that online matches in Ultimate Team feature the same formations, tactics, and players, with the game not offering a viable alternative to the current meta. Issues such as the 'fidget-spinning' mechanic in the box are said to make the game "frustrating".
EA Sports has confirmed there will be no immediate changes to gameplay, instead committing to tweaking issues based on player feedback in the next Title Update. In the official patch notes, EA Sports stated: "This will not be an update that changes gameplay balance and tuning significantly. This is a large update that is meant to address a number of issues in different areas of the game."
Developer Notes and Player Feedback
The company added: "Later this week we will release another set of Gameplay Developer Notes, containing some observations from the first month of live play in FC 27 along with some discussion about potential adjustments that will follow in our next Title Update. The changes we’re working on are based on player data and your feedback, as well as testing done with player representatives on the Design Council, and we’ll look to answer your questions about those upcoming changes following the release of the Developer Notes."
Fans on Reddit expressed their dismay, with one saying: "So this is a whole bunch of nothing? Cool, just what we needed..." Another added: "No gamplay fixes going in to November is crazy." A third Redditor said: "There are some footballing elements I like with this game. Crosses are relevant again, strikers who can hold off defenders and distribute the ball are somewhat useful, players who hug the sideline can contribute. But overpowered spinbots with ponytails have to go and these kick-offs have to go."
Key Fixes in v1.1.0
Some of the bugs fixed in v1.1.0 include problems with Squad Building Challenge (SBC) Storage in Ultimate Team, stability issues in The Grounds, and new settings to allow further customisation in Career Mode. The full patch notes list a wide range of fixes across Gameplay, Ultimate Team, The Grounds, Career Mode, and General, Audio, and Visual categories.
In Gameplay, the update addresses issues where players could become stuck during the game opening tutorial, and a PC-only issue where the mouse could become unresponsive when playing as a Goal Keeper with mouse and keyboard if moved too far outside the penalty box.
Ultimate Team changes include streamlined SBC filters that save previously applied filters when completing multiple SBCs in the same session, and a reduced duration for the pack opening sequence. Several issues were also fixed, such as SBC Storage Player Items temporarily appearing when completing other SBCs, incorrect stats highlighted in green when previewing Pathway Evolutions, and national flags appearing incorrectly for Holographic Player Items.
In The Grounds, fixes address instances of matches partially resetting after a player joins an ongoing match after initially failing to Hot Join, expired Live Events being visible in menus, and a PC-only issue where key bindings could not be modified when playing on Keyboard Only. Other fixes include issues with 2 goalkeepers in Clubs 11v11 Live Events, players not being able to enter the Grounds Store from the Clubhouse, and infinite loading screens when joining a Clubs lobby after declining cross-play.
Career Mode received two new objective types for Player Career Rivalries: Consistency Rivalries, which require avoiding being the first to fail an Objective, and Match Limit Rivalries, which require completing Objectives within a specific time limit. Visual updates were made to the Team Management UI, and a setting was introduced in Manager Career to allow user control over Press Conferences. Two new settings also allow control over the frequency of Press Conference interactions and Unexpected Events, all editable during a save file.
General, Audio, and Visual changes include a Claim All button in objective screens, various stability fixes, and updates to kits, text, cinematics, cameras, audio, commentary, and other visual elements. The patch also addresses issues such as referee kit colours being too similar to team colours, Player Avatars under 21 not being created, and PC-only graphics settings requiring a restart to take effect.
