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Can I Play FIFA 23 Offline? The Complete Guide

Yes, FIFA 23 can be played offline on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. However, the extent of offline play and specific requirements vary depending on the platform and game modes you wish to access. While modes like Ultimate Team (FUT) and Online Seasons unequivocally require an internet connection, single-player modes like Career Mode, Kick-Off, and certain aspects of VOLTA can be enjoyed without being connected to the internet. The introduction of EA AntiCheat (EAAC) on PC adds another layer to the equation, necessitating an initial online connection for installation and verification, even for offline play. Let’s dive deeper into the specifics.

Understanding Offline Play in FIFA 23

The allure of FIFA lies in its diverse modes, catering to both competitive online players and those who prefer a more solitary experience. While the thrill of online matches against real opponents is undeniable, the ability to immerse oneself in a personalized career or quick offline matches remains a significant draw for many. Let’s break down how offline play functions across different platforms and game modes.

PC: Navigating EA AntiCheat

The PC version of FIFA 23 introduced EA AntiCheat (EAAC), a kernel-level anti-tamper and anti-cheat solution. This is a critical component for online integrity, but it also has implications for offline play.

Initial Online Connection Required: Even if you plan to primarily play offline, you must connect to the internet to install and validate EAAC. The game will not launch without this initial validation.
Post-Validation Offline Play: Once EAAC is successfully installed and verified, you can disconnect from the internet and enjoy offline modes like Career Mode and Kick-Off. Some players have found that minimizing the game and disabling Wi-Fi after launching the game can also enable offline play. However, keep in mind this is an unorthodox approach and might not be consistently reliable.
Online Modes Remain Online-Only: Naturally, modes like FUT and Online Seasons require a persistent internet connection. There’s no workaround for this; the game simply won’t allow you to access these modes without being online.

PlayStation and Xbox: Console Specifics

On consoles, the offline experience is generally more straightforward.

PlayStation (PS4 & PS5): As long as you’ve downloaded the game and any necessary updates, you can typically disconnect your PlayStation from the internet and play offline modes without issue. A PlayStation Plus subscription is only required for online multiplayer.
Xbox (Xbox One & Xbox Series X/S): Similar to PlayStation, you can play offline modes without an active internet connection. However, to play online multiplayer, you’ll need an Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Furthermore, the first time you launch FIFA 23 on Xbox you will require internet to download the profile and other data.

Game Mode Breakdown

Let’s look at how different FIFA 23 game modes fare when it comes to offline play:

Career Mode: This is a primarily offline experience, allowing you to manage a team, develop players, and compete in leagues and tournaments without an internet connection.
Kick-Off: The quintessential offline mode for quick matches with friends or against the AI. No internet required.
Tournaments (Offline): Create and participate in custom tournaments offline against AI opponents.
Skill Games: Hone your skills in various challenges without needing an internet connection.
VOLTA Football: While VOLTA SQUADS requires an online connection, you can still experience certain aspects of VOLTA, such as the story mode, offline.
Ultimate Team (FUT): An exclusively online mode, requiring a persistent internet connection for all aspects, including squad building, trading, and playing matches.
Online Seasons: Compete against other players online in a division-based system. Requires an active internet connection and, on consoles, a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold/Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Pro Clubs: Another online-only mode where you create a virtual pro and play alongside other players in a team.

The Importance of Offline Play

The ability to play FIFA 23 offline is crucial for various reasons:

Accessibility: Not everyone has consistent or reliable internet access. Offline play ensures that the game remains accessible to a wider audience.
Preservation: As online services for older games eventually shut down, offline modes allow players to continue enjoying the game long after its online lifecycle ends.
Personal Preference: Some players simply prefer the solitary experience of playing against the AI or managing a team in Career Mode without the distractions and pressures of online competition.
Flexibility: Offline play provides the freedom to enjoy the game anywhere, anytime, without being tethered to an internet connection.

Game developers, like those working on FIFA, are increasingly aware of the importance of catering to both online and offline players. The balance between online connectivity for competitive modes and offline accessibility for single-player experiences is a delicate one, and it’s constantly evolving. Studying these game design choices and their impact on player behavior and learning is a focus of research at organizations like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about playing FIFA 23 offline:

1. Does EA AntiCheat prevent me from playing FIFA 23 offline on PC?

No, EA AntiCheat doesn’t prevent offline play, but it requires an initial online connection for installation and validation. Once validated, you can disconnect and play offline modes.

2. Can I play FIFA 23 Career Mode offline?

Yes, Career Mode can be played entirely offline without an internet connection.

3. Do I need PlayStation Plus to play FIFA 23 offline on PlayStation?

No, you don’t need PlayStation Plus to play FIFA 23 offline. PlayStation Plus is only required for online multiplayer.

4. Do I need Xbox Live Gold to play FIFA 23 offline on Xbox?

No, you don’t need Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass Ultimate to play FIFA 23 offline. These subscriptions are only required for online multiplayer.

5. Can I play FIFA 23 Ultimate Team (FUT) offline?

No, FIFA 23 Ultimate Team (FUT) requires a persistent internet connection and cannot be played offline.

6. Is it possible to play FIFA 23 on PC completely offline without ever connecting to the internet?

No, you cannot play FIFA 23 on PC completely offline without ever connecting to the internet. EA AntiCheat necessitates an initial online connection.

7. How do I go offline on FIFA 23 on Xbox?

To go offline on Xbox, press the Xbox button, go to Settings > General > Network settings, and select “Go offline.”

8. Can I play FIFA 23 VOLTA Football offline?

While VOLTA SQUADS requires an online connection, you can still experience the single-player VOLTA story mode offline.

9. Does playing FIFA 23 offline affect my progress when I go back online?

Offline progress in modes like Career Mode will be saved locally. When you reconnect, your Career Mode progress remains unaffected. FUT is not affected since it’s online only.

10. Can I download updates for FIFA 23 offline?

No, you need an internet connection to download updates for FIFA 23.

11. Can I play a custom tournament in FIFA 23 offline?

Yes, you can create and participate in custom tournaments offline against AI opponents.

12. If I have FIFA 23 on disc, do I still need an internet connection to play offline?

Even with a disc version, the PC version will still need an initial connection for the EA AntiCheat and potentially initial game data download. Console versions require an initial install to play.

13. Can I play FIFA 23 with friends offline?

Yes, you can play local multiplayer matches with friends offline using Kick-Off mode.

14. Is there a difference in the offline experience between FIFA 22 and FIFA 23?

The core offline modes remain similar between FIFA 22 and FIFA 23. However, the introduction of EA AntiCheat on PC in FIFA 23 changes the initial setup requirements for offline play on that platform.

15. Can I play FIFA 23 on Steam offline?

Similar to the answer above, Steam requires an initial online connection, and FIFA 23 on PC needs to connect for the first time to download data such as profiles, leagues, and tournaments.

Playing FIFA 23 offline is entirely possible, and even encouraged for offline career mode enthusiast, and for those experiencing online server issues.

Can I play FIFA 23 offline?