The FIFA 18 demo will be released today at 6pm GMT, EA Sports has confirmed.
That’s a few days earlier than expected, with many believing the trial version of the game to land on September 15.
But it gets better… EA confirmed to Dream Team Gaming that you will NOT need EA Access to play the game early.
Sadly, there will be NO Switch demo – so Nintendo fans will have to wait a little longer.
Now, let’s go through everything you need to know about the demo – from how long it’ll take to download to Ultimate Team and more.
Who will be the best player on the demo?
The best player on the demo will be FIFA 18 cover star Cristiano Ronaldo – although his rating on the preview build was TBC.
If you’re desperate to get your hands on the game, sign up to EA Access to play FIFA 18 five days before launch for a full 10 hours.
Can I play the demo early?
For those who are keen to play FIFA 18 early, follow these steps and you’ll get a head start.
Just be prepared for a lot of people to be downloading it all at once – so act fast!
For the PES fans among you, Konami has kicked off the demo on Xbox One, PC and PS4.
The full game launches on September 14.
But wait, I can already see the FIFA 18 demo on the Xbox store?
Yep, look around and you’ll see the demo, which appears in the Ronaldo Nazario loan tab, but it cannot be downloaded yet.
However, it does reveal some key information about what to expect.
The demo will be approximately 7.3GB in size – pretty hefty, so expect a download time of at least one-two hours, depending on connection.
Wait… how about the Switch version?
We’ve had no news from EA as to whether the Switch version will be getting a demo.
Given its focus on online play, EA may want to hold off until the servers are secure.
Frostbite, the in-house engine developed by EA DICE, powers FIFA 18 on Xbox One, PS4 and PC.
However, FIFA on the Switch will use a ‘custom engine’ based on the Ignite code from FIFA 16.
While EA confirmed the Switch can handle Frostbite, the company opted to build a unique engine because it would have to be heavily downgraded, resulting in a ‘sh***y second rate game’.
Andrei Lazarescu, who leads the team in Bucharest working on FIFA for Nintendo Switch, told Dream Team Gaming: “As much as we would have wanted to (use Frostbite) you can’t without making the whole engine work.
“We intentionally chose to do a custom engine because we felt that rather and try and get Frostbite running and end up having to downsize things and making it just a smaller, lower-quality version of the PS4 and Xbox One versions, we wanted this to be a FIFA that stands on its own two feet.
“We want people to recognise it and play it for what it is rather than saying, hey, you’re getting a sh***y, second-rate game. This is a full FIFA that players players will enjoy.”
For those worried about the lack of Frostbite, Lazarescu is confident the Switch version looks far superior than the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions.
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“If you put the two together you won’t recognise them,” he said. “When you dock it (and connect to the TV), it’s 1080p and 60 frames per second – Gen 3 (PS3 / Xbox 360) never run on this.
“We’re also using physics based rendering, another thing that Gen 3 did not have. We’re even putting ICONS in Ultimate Team – Gen 3 won’t have these either.”
How can I download the demo on Xbox, PS4 and PC?
The demo will appear in Origin, PS Store and Xbox Live. It’ll be ‘Featured’ so should be easy to find.
If there are any issues, use the ‘search’ function and type in ‘FIFA 18 demo’.
Once you find it, click ‘download’ and it’ll begin the process.
How long will it take to download?
This all depends on your connection – but anything more than 7GB is pretty large.
The servers will be under strain given just how many people will be downloading it, so the earlier you can download the game, the better.
To give yourself the best possible chance, make sure to connect your console to an Ethernet cable. You’ll see slightly faster speeds.
Also, try and disconnect other things – such as movie streaming services, whilst you download. They’ll hog the bandwidth.
Can I download it early?
In theory, yes.
Follow our step by step guide to download the FIFA 18 demo early and you’ll be playing it before anyone else.
So, what’s in the demo?
You’ll be able to play as a number of teams in the FIFA 18 demo including Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, PSG and Juventus.
There are 12 teams in the demo:
- Manchester United
- Manchester City
- Real Madrid CF
- Atlético de Madrid
- Juventus F.C.
- FC Bayern Munich
- Paris Saint-Germain F.C.
- LA Galaxy
- Toronto FC
- Boca Juniors
- C.D. Guadalajara
- Vissel Kobe
There are four stadiums, too:
- Santiago Bernabéu
- La Bombonera
- StubHub Center
- King Fahd Stadium
You’ll also likely be able to play through the first part of The Journey: Hunter Returns – although we wouldn’t doing that unless you’ve played the first one.
No sweat, here’s what happens at the end of The Journey – if you won’t have time to play through it.
So, have you played it?
Yes, and we’re very impressed.
Why not take a look at our FIFA 18 early review.
Tell us about the Nintendo Switch version
The relationship between EA SPORTS and Nintendo is a strange one.
When the Wii U launched back in 2012, it took three months for FIFA 13 to make its way on to the console.
When it did finally arrive, it was lacking arguably the most popular mode, Ultimate Team – and gameplay was sub par compared with the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions.
Subsequent FIFA games were scrapped from the Wii U, with EA focusing efforts on the then next-gen consoles and the ageing Wii.
However, the arrival of the Nintendo Switch heralds a new fresh start for the relationship between the Japanese manufacturer and EA.
Here’s why.
You’ll be able to play FIFA 18 on the go
The Switch has already proven itself as a brilliant handheld companion, so being able to play the full game (not just the Web App) on the go will give this version the edge.
Thankfully, FIFA has been ‘custom built’ for Nintendo’s new hardware.
It may not use the latest Frostbite technology but gameplay is sleek, responsive and runs at 60FPS.
Plus, you’re able to detach the Joy Con controllers and play a friend – although this can be a bit fiddly.
A battery life of up to six hours makes it perfect for long journeys.
It has Ultimate Team
As long as you have Wifi you’ll be able to play Ultimate Team and buy packs as you normally would.
Champions won’t feature but that’s not the end of the world.
Graphics and presentation
The Switch version odes not use Frostbite but will still looks great.
In fact, it runs at 1080p 60FPS when plugged into a TV, and 720p 60 when in handheld mode.
EA producer Andrei Lazaresco told Eurogamer about how they made the most out of Switch’s Nvidia Maxwell-based Tegra X1 chip.
“We’re using physical-based rendering,” he said. “The crowds are 3D. The grass is 3D. The lighting is new. And on top of that you’ll have Ultimate Team for the first time on Nintendo – and for the first time you’ll be able to take it on the go. You’ll be able to play on a plane, on a bus, even from just a hotspot.”
Is anything else missing from the Switch version?
Sadly, yes. It won’t feature The Journey or any of the new additions to FIFA 18’s Career Mode. Instead, Career Mode will be much like last year’s version.
Speaking to Dream Team Gaming at Gamescom in Cologne, an EA developer said: “(Career Mode) is probably a similar experience to last year – but it is an experience that has been catered for this season.”
When asked if there’s anything the Switch does differently in the mode, they said: “In Career Mode, no.”
While this may disappoint some players, it could prove very handy for those already familiar with the game.
Menus and gameplay mechanics will be easier to pick up – and you won’t need to get your head around some of the new additions.
Still, it’s a shame interactive transfer negotiations have not been included in some way – but this is likely down the Switch’s inability to run Frostbite at a high-enough level.
Speaking of Career Mode, is there anything else significant missing?
As we’ve mentioned, FIFA 18 will feature interactive transfer negotiations in Career Mode – but they’ll be missing something. Audible dialogue.
According to YouTuber ChesnoidGaming, dialogue will just appear as text at the bottom of the screen, and will not be spoken by the characters.
The decision to not include any audible dialogue may come as a shock to some fans – especially given the mode now closely mirrors the dialogue set up in The Journey.
In that mode, players hear what Alex Hunter is saying and, as in Career Mode, can steer conversations with multiple dialogue choices.
What is in each package and which one shall I get?
This all depends on what you’re after. The cheapest package will still cost upwards of £45 – and is suited to those who won’t be playing a lot of Ultimate Team.
Remember to pre-order – there are loads of bonuses.
Icon Edition
- Play from September 26th with 3 Days Early Access
- Up to 40 FIFA Ultimate Team Jumbo Premium Gold Packs (two per week over 20 weeks – worth up to $120)
- 3 match FUT Team of the Week loan player (one three match loan player for 20 weeks)
- Cristiano Ronaldo FUT loan player for 5 matches
- Ronaldo Nazário FUT Icon loan player for 5 matches
- 8 special edition FUT kits designed by FIFA soundtrack artists
Ronaldo Edition
- Play from September 26th with 3 Days Early Access
- Up to 20 FIFA Ultimate Team Jumbo Premium Gold Packs (one per week for 20 weeks – worth up to $60)
- Cristiano Ronaldo FUT loan player for 5 matches
- 8 special edition FUT kits designed by FIFA soundtrack artists
Pre-order for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC
Standard Edition
- Up to 5 FIFA Ultimate Team Jumbo Premium Gold Packs (one per week for five weeks – worth up to $15)
- Cristiano Ronaldo FUT loan player for 5 matches
- 8 special edition FUT kits designed by FIFA soundtrack artists
WATCH: Dream Team Comedy Sketch – We all have mates that come up with these classic FIFA excuses
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