FIFA 22 was released on new-gen consoles with HyperMotion – an exciting suite of exclusive gameplay features that is still used (albeit improved further) in later FIFA and now EA FC titles. HyperMotion aimed to make FIFA 22 the most immersive and intricate FIFA game at the time, but what was it and which gameplay changes did it introduce?
Well, using a combination of machine learning and motion capture of full, 11v11 football matches, there were hundreds of new and unique animations and AI behaviours to closely mimic a real game better than ever before.
On top of this, there were a couple of new-gen exclusive gameplay features – which made considerable differences to aerial battles and ball control – which you couldn’t find on older-gen versions of FIFA 22. New-gen oomph also allowed some of the player interactions that the 11v11 motion capture recorded to be portrayed in the game.
FIFA 22 HyperMotion platforms
FIFA 22 HyperMotion technology was only available on the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Google Stadia (which has since been discontinued). You could not experience any of the HyperMotion features on PC, PS4, or Xbox One.
FIFA 22 HyperMotion technology
HyperMotion technology in FIFA 22 was achieved by using Xsens motion capture suits to record data and movement of actual 11v11 football matches, plus a new machine learning tool that could generate animations on the fly.
The trailer below gives you a look at players suiting up for motion capture in full 11v11 scenarios – albeit, it is highly edited and stylized.
FIFA 22 HyperMotion gameplay features
So with all of this fancy HyperMotion tech, what actually changed in-game for FIFA 22?
Full Team Authentic Motion
Xsens suits recorded every touch, tackle, sprint, and duel from all 22 players playing at high intensity for the first time ever, capturing data that powered over 4,000 new animations in FIFA 22 to raise the footballing intensity, responsiveness, and physicality of every player in the game.
Tactical AI
Deeper player intelligence driven by the power of next-gen consoles gave each individual the ability to better understand both attacking and defensive formations and movement, creating a new level of tactical realism.
In attack: The ability to make up to 6x more decisions per second gave attackers more awareness of their surroundings, allowed them to make smarter runs in build-up play, and let them react to loose balls quicker.
In defence: Rewritten defensive AI gave teams the ability to act as a tactical unit, retaining their shape to move across the pitch and cover vacant space.
ML – Flow
Learning from more than 8.7 million frames from Advanced 11v11 Match Capture, the ML – Flow machine learning algorithm wrote new animations in real-time, enabling players to better adjust their stride and running cadence on approach to the ball to control or strike it more smoothly.
Kinetic Air Battles
Enhanced two-player interaction technology synced player animations, creating greater realism and responsiveness as they fought to be first to the ball. Defenders and attackers pushed, pulled, and jostled as they rose to meet crosses, clearances, and long passes, increasing quality in headed situations and creating cleaner outcomes.
Composed Ball Control
Longer two-touch animations made controlling the ball more natural and fluid than ever before. You could take down aerial balls with more technique, get more agility when trapping ground balls, and enjoy more strength in shielding situations which gave you new ways to drive forward in FIFA 22.
Player Humanization
Powered by Advanced 11v11 Match Capture, new off-ball player animations and ambient behaviour helped bring on-pitch characters to life. It saw opponents talk, point, and direct each other based on the action, while updated locomotion matched players’ urgency on the pitch to make FIFA more realistic and immersive than ever.
FIFA 22 other gameplay changes
Alongside HyperMotion, all versions of FIFA 22 received some blanket gameplay upgrades and new features.
Goalkeeper Rewrite
A brand new goalkeeper system brought a new level of intelligence to the last line of defence, unlocking more reliable shot-stopping and smarter decision-making between the posts. Goalkeeper positioning personality replicated the different styles of keepers throughout the game – to represent the lightning-fast reflexes of world-class shot-stoppers.
True Ball Physics
Real-world data imported into FIFA 22 took the game’s ball physics to a new level of realism. Tuned parameters including speed, swerve, air drag, air resistance, ground friction, and rolling friction meant every touch, trap, shot, volley, pass, and dribble looked, moved, and flew like the real thing.
Explosive Sprint
A new gameplay mechanic that changed the dynamic of one-on-one situations, Explosive Sprint gave you more control over acceleration when dribbling or defending. You could lure opponents in and choose when to unleash your full speed to get away from the defender as you drove your team forward in attack.
New Attacking Tactics
You could set up your team with different styles in each half of the pitch with new attacking tactics that gave you more control over how you played in FIFA 22: keep the ball in your half and explode into attack with fast build-up in the opponent’s, play direct from box to box, or line up in your own unique style.
Well, that’s everything you need to know about FIFA 22’s impressive HyperMotion technology. While this was great for the time, this technology has been improved even further in later releases in the long-standing series – including EA FC.