EA Explains Why Some FIFA 21 Progress Won't Carry Over With Next-Gen Upgrades

EA Explains Why Some FIFA 21 Progress Won't Carry Over With Next-Gen Upgrades

There were "ultimately some trade-offs" made for next-gen console versions.

News by Eric Van Allen, News Editor

Updated on 8 October 2020

FIFA 21 is offering a next-gen upgrade path for players who want to jump up to the next console generation. That doesn't mean every bit of progress will make the jump too, though.

EA confirmed earlier this year that when users take advantage of the Dual Entitlement program to move between playing FIFA 21 on PS4 or Xbox One to PS5 or Xbox Series X | S, not all progression will carry over. Some of the most vital bits to dedicated FIFA fans, like Ultimate Team data and Volta progression, will still be able to move between consoles, but Career Mode and Pro Clubs will stay tied to specific consoles.

Speaking to Eurogamer, FIFA Executive Producer Aaron McHardy gave a brief statement on why the carryover works the way it does:

"When we start developing for a new generation of consoles, there's ultimately some trade-offs we need to make. So we decided that the time required to make all modes transferable was better used to build new features and improvements across the entire game, along with addressing feedback from our players. Since both Volta and FUT are server-based modes it made sense for us to focus on them as a way for players to carry over their progression."

Other games have had strange issues with save carry-over. For example, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales will let saves carry over from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5, but the remaster of 2018's Marvel's Spider-Man won't support PS4 saves. Other games, like the PlayStation versions of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, won't support save transfers between PS4 and PS5 versions of the game.

With the increased focus on backward compatibility during the current transfer of console generations, clarifying what options are supported and how is a pretty good idea. Having some data be server-side seems to have helped with FIFA 21, but it's a good idea to keep an eye out, when buying current-gen games with next-gen upgrade paths, for what can actually make the leap.

FIFA 21 is out now if you've bought the Ultimate Edition. Otherwise, it's available in standard edition for PS4, Xbox One, and PC tomorrow, Oct. 9.

Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. See our terms & conditions.

More about FIFA 21

Eric Van Allen

News Editor

Eric is a writer and Texan. He's a former contributor to sites including Compete, Polygon, Waypoint, and the Washington Post. He loves competitive games, live music, and travel.

In other news

Xbox Is Hosting a Space Jam Game Jam Design Contest

We got a real (game) jam goin' now.

3

EA Agrees to $1.2 Billion Deal for Codemasters, Take-Two Now Reconsidering Its Lower Bid

Two publishing giants want the makers of the Dirt and Formula One games.

Windjammers 2 Delayed To 2021 As Devs Explore Adding Rollback Netcode

In pursuit of a disc-flinging esports renaissance, Dotemu's leaving this sequel in the oven a bit longer.

1

NC Dinos Celebrate First Korean Series Title, Hoist Video Game Sword

You call a cup a trophy? This is a trophy.

1

Need help?

FIFA 20 Best Young Players: Hidden Gems and Wonderkids With High Potential

Here’s a list of the players that have the most to gain in overall rating.

Madden 20 Face of the Franchise Tips - Teams, How to Get Drafted, and More

Here's our walkthrough for Madden 20's Face of the Franchise mode, featuring all the NFL teams, how to get drafted, and more.

All the Best Madden 20 Offensive Money Plays

Here's our guide compiling all the best Madden 20 money plays in one place, so you know which run or pass play to call whenever.

Madden 20: The Best Offensive Playbooks to Use

This is our walkthrough of the best Madden 20 offensive playbooks you can always rely on.