FIFA 21 current and next-gen title update #9 – February 3 patch notes

A new FIFA 21 title update is now live for current and next-gen players. The actual update was announced last week, but the patch did not actually hit consoles until February 3. The new patch includes a number of PS5 and Xbox Series X-specific fixes, as well as some gameplay changes. Among those gameplay changes include reducing the effectiveness of certain Volleyed Chip Shots, and nerfing the consistency of flick ups performed while running with the ball.

FIFA 21 Title Update #9

Gameplay

Made the following changes:

• Reduced consistency of the ball trajectory after successfully performing a Skill Move which involves launching the ball into the air.
• Reduced Flick Up ball trajectory consistency in cases where the Flick Up is performed directly following a Skill Move.
• Reduced consistency of Flick Ups performed while running with the ball.
  • This effect is most impactful when the ball carrier is running at a high speed.
• Reduced the effectiveness of Volleyed Chip Shots when taken from 35 feet/10.67 meters and beyond.
  • This effect scales up to 55 feet/16.76 meters, meaning that Volleyed Chip Shots reduce in effectiveness the farther they’re taken from, up until 55 feet/16.76 meters.
  • Volleyed Chip Shots taken at 55 feet/16.76 meters and beyond can be half as effective as those taken at 35 feet/10.67 meters.
• Considerably reduced the probability of the referee calling for the end of the match during a potential goalscoring opportunity.
  • As a result, Injury Time could now last for a slightly longer period.

Addressed the following issues:

• When defending against the Bridge Skill Move while Jockeying, the defending player could temporarily slow down unintentionally.
• When a defending player performed a tackle that was unsuccessful at winning the ball, the tackler’s foot could partially pass through a portion of the ball.
  • This change does not impact the success or failure of tackles, and the tackling player is now more likely to make some contact with the ball in these situations.
• Following a specific type of goalkeeper pass during an offline match, the defending team’s CPU AI would not attempt to pressure the attacking side in order to recover the ball.

FIFA Ultimate Team

Addressed the following issues:

• On the Kit Select screen in Division Rivals, the timer could freeze for the player who confirmed their selection if their opponent was still selecting a kit.
• When accessing the Transfer Market tab on the Squad screen and viewing the Search Results as a list, Bid Status Icons did not display.
• Some text incorrectly overlapped other UI elements when the My Playlist tile was selected on the FUT Friendlies screen.
• During Friendlies matches, the in-game Game Settings screen would incorrectly list the ball being currently used.
• Stadium Themes based on real world teams did not always apply correctly to in-game ad boards.
• The FIFA Playtime FIFA Points limit exceeded message would not display until the limit was exceeded a second time.
• The Live FUT Friendlies UI did not always display the correct visuals when the tile was selected.

Career Mode

Addressed the following issues:

• Managers were incorrectly wearing team kits during matches and other scenes.
• When changing the sorting in the Transfer Hub and Squad Hub, the UI did not automatically scroll back to the top.
• In Player Career, the Virtual Pro was sometimes not receiving loan and transfer offers.
• When entering the Transfer Hub through a News story and attempting to sign a player, a stability issue could occur.

VOLTA FOOTBALL

Addressed the following issues:

• Drop In Match Lobbies could become temporarily stuck during a specific UI flow, and as a result, would not be filled with the maximum number of players.
• Further addressed instances of being unable to successfully matchmake in VOLTA SQUADS.

Pro Clubs

Addressed the following issues:

• When the Captain changes Game Plans during a Pro Clubs match, some AI teammates could have switched positions incorrectly.

General, Audio, and Video

Made the following changes:

• Updated some kits, Tifos, badges, 2D images, celebrations, and boots.
• Added new commentary lines related to David Beckham.
• Updated 1 existing Starhead and added 4 legacy Starheads.
  • Stay tuned to the EA SPORTS FIFA Tracker to learn when these Starheads will become active.

Addressed the following issues:

• An incorrect line of commentary could occur when referencing a specific instance of an offside.
• The Adidas Silver and Black Circuit Board balls did not display in-game shadows.
• Some balls displayed placeholder text in the Match tab of the Game Settings screen.

As mentioned in a previous PItch Notes article, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions of FIFA 21 will not always have the same change list as their PlayStation 4 and Xbox One equivalents. The following Title Update #9 changes will apply to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions of FIFA 21 only.

Gameplay

Made the following change:

• [PS5 Only] Lowered the resistance of Adaptive Triggers when they are enabled at the system level.

Addressed the following issue:

• [PS5 Only] If the TItle was started prior to the DualSense being turned on, haptic feedback did not always function.

Career Mode

Addressed the following issue:

• [PS5 and XSX|S Only] A News headline could sometimes incorrectly swap the club name’s position with a player name.