FIFA 23 HyperMotion2 hands-on preview

FIFA 23 is bringing more to the players than ever before, and one of the big improvements is to the characters’ movements.

Some fans are excited to see the return of Juventus, while others are more interested in the new game offering both the Men’s and Women’s World Cup for the first time.

Whatever your flavour of football, EA Sports has claimed it will be spiced up by the new movement technology. 

GLHF was at the first hands-on showcase for FIFA 23 in Vancouver, in order to play an early build of the game and to speak with producers. 

While we wrote a full preview including all of the new gameplay features, this preview focuses solely on the new technology.

What exactly is HyperMotion2, and how will it improve FIFA 23? We have all the facts you need to know.

Gameplay producer Sam Rivera explained that EA is “trying to do as much as we can in terms of animations”, in order to give the players plenty of variety.

He claims these “change how the game is played.”

What is Hypermotion2?

The first version of HyperMotion allows FIFA 22 to display all 22 players on the field at once, all using full motion capture technology.

This means that every single player’s movements are based on how their real-life footballer moves and plays.

HyperMotion2 has even more player data for developers to work with, giving a more realistic impression of players both on and off the ball.

The tech team recorded two full 90-minute matches, recording both a men’s and women’s match, featuring football professionals dressed in full motion capture outfits.

The players were then subject to training drills while the team recorded each motion they made.

This resulted in EA Sports being able to access 9million frames of player movement, which was adapted into 6,000 different player animations.

Hypermotion2 also involves machine learning.

This means that the software can create new animations based on the ones the developers have created.

What difference does HyperMotion2 make?

All of this serves to make the gameplay feel more realistic and ultimately fair.

The algorithm aims to answer with a higher degree of accuracy who would come off better in each instance of a tackle or challenge for the ball.

The big difference the developers wanted to point out is that when there is an aerial tackle between the goalkeeper and a goal scorer, the player now has a fighting chance.

HyperMotion2 also features AcceleRATE, which animates players in three different running styles.

Players will now run in an explosive, lengthy, or controlled style to give more variety to the action.

Previously, only running speed and acceleration were taken into account of who gets ahead of who.

Now a lengthy runner will ultimately surpass someone running in an explosive style.

What is playing with HyperMotion2 like?

While we didn’t manage to pull off any of the fancy footwork shown off in the reveal trailer, the gameplay felt fast and flowing.

The players have tight turning pivots and no longer feel like they are skating on ice.

Adaptations to the running styles meant the foot races for loose balls looked and felt more tense.

Using powerful players like Rúben Dias to tear up the grass and send the ball flying out into the stands was more than possible.

Compared to previous entries in the series, the box didn’t feel nearly as crowded by the computer AI.

When asked, Rivera claims the team worked hard to improve the AI and make it more intelligent.

“With the position changes that we’re doing this year, we are making the defensive positioning a bit wider and we are creating a lot more runs in the box, because it was too crowded.

 “Also, we are reducing the amount of offside runs.”

Just like the team said, we managed to score a number of goals despite a physical battle with the goalie in the air.

What difference has HyperMotion2 made to women’s football?

Prior to FIFA 23, the women players included in the game used the same models as their male counterparts.

Now women are no longer an afterthought, and the women players have been given their own specific animations.

The players no longer feel like small men with ponytails, but play how actual women play. 

Between the two kinds of clubs, men’s and women’s, the gameplay now feels completely different, from pacing to contesting for the ball.

Finally, FIFA 23 is making steps towards diversity and inclusion that feel genuine.

What will HyperMotion2 bring to online play?

Part of the reason EA Sports invested so much in the new technology was so that players would be encouraged to continue playing the game longer after release.

When asking Rivera about this he confirmed:

“That’s the goal. We’re planning to achieve [longevity] with the gameplay live team that we created for 22.

“So now we have dedicated people just looking at gameplay balance all year round.

“And that, combined with the features that we’re introducing this year in HyperMotion2, is what we’re thinking will cause a more refreshed experience where it’s not just the same meta.”

After trying FIFA 23 for ourselves we believe that HyperMotion2 has added a fresh feel to the game which will keep players hooked.

Hopefully, what we played in our away game at Vancouver is replicated at home.

Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.