Toxic

This is my first FIFA since FIFA 14 and while the single-player side is still enjoyable, the online experience is a mess. I tried Rush yesterday and bailed after five matches because teammates either refuse to play as a team or literally don’t know how to pass. Drop-In is no better, people quit the moment they start losing, which turns every match into a clown show of botched formations and half baked attempts at offense. It is impressive how quickly matches fall apart when basic sportsmanship and teamwork are absent.

Beyond individual behavior, the broader online ecosystem feels designed to frustrate. The Pro Clubs progression and matchmaking increasingly mirror NBA2K’s MyCareer/MyPlayer model. Their system that rewards spending over actual skill. Allowing players to shortcut progression with purchases destroys the balance and incentive to learn and improve. If one side can buy an edge, every match becomes an uphill battle for anyone who wants to grind legitimately. That monetization model actively corrodes competitive integrity and long-term enjoyment. Don't even get me started on the so called, "Zenners."

Meanwhile, toxicity is rampant: constant rage-quitting, abuse in "chat", and a “do whatever gets you the win” mentality. There seems to be almost no penalty for quitting or griefing, so bad actors face no disincentive to keep ruining other people’s games. Matchmaking also seems broken, the skill spread in many matches is laughable