EA Sports has announced that FIFA 21, which launches on October 9, will cut back on player celebrations in an effort to curb toxic behavior among gamers. As a result, players can no longer use the shushing move, often used to gloat and halt games after a goal was scored.
FIFA 21's lead gameplay producer Sam Rivera said the company was encouraged by online players to remove behaviors that were considered negative. In addition to shushing, players will no longer be able to make the A-OK hand gesture, and goal celebrations will be shortened.
The post-goal shush was often used by gamers to delay the game, while the A-OK gesture has been criticized for resembling a hand signal made by white supremacists. A similar gesture was removed from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Call of Duty: Warzone last month.
EA said it wanted to ensure the game was focused on playing and not unnecessary celebration. Despite the changes, the developer believes that FIFA 21 will be the most authentic game yet. Since 2018, the FIFA series has sold more than 260 million copies. The latest edition will be released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, as well as, the next-generation Xbox Series X and PS5 consoles.
EA Sports also says the next-gen consoles will afford superior graphics as a result of advanced technology. Nintendo Switch players will enjoy a legacy edition of the game that will feature new kits, teams, and an updated menu system.
FIFA 21 will also introduce new time-saving measures to prevent delays, like time limits during corner and penalty kicks, as well as, shortening the time it takes teams to walk back to their sides of the pitch after a goal.
It should be noted that EA Sports never created these toxic behaviors, but rather reflected what is actually happening in football fields. The A-OK gesture was popularized by Tottenham Hotspur’s midfielder Dele Alli in 2018 after he scored a goal, while the shush move has often been used by former Real Madrid and current Juventus player Cristiano Ronaldo to antagonize his opponents after scoring.
Source: BBC