Siddharth Ganguly

Dalot Tifo, Butt Passes, and Squid Game Cards – EA FC 26 Is Unhinged

FC 26

FC 26 might be in the news for all the amazing gameplay tweaks and additions, but some areas of social media are going gaga over some elements of the game that are too hilarious to be true. While the shots might or might not be true, they surely provide some amazing material for memes. So, without much ado, let’s get the show started.

Diogo Dalot Tifo?!

While Diogo Dalot has been a good servant for Manchester United, being their starting fullback for the last few years, he surely has not done anything to warrant a Tifo on him, right? United Fans, even the most ardent ones, were surely surprised when they noticed this.

The Portuguese right-back, 26, joined Man United in 2018, under Jose Mourinho. He solidified his position in United’s starting line-up after a successful loan spell at AC Milan. While a dependable right back who can also play as Right Wing Back, the position where current manager Ruben Amorim seems to deploy him, he has never reached the potential he was supposed to reach when he joined United. A serviceable player at best, he has copped criticism from fans for his average defending and crossing abilities, in a league that has seen fullbacks like Trent Alexander-Arnold perform to a world class ability.

A Tifo for him in the game screams non-realism, and is surprising to the point of being hilarious.

A Ridiculous Skill Move

In this hilarious pass from Bruno Fernandes, the player passes the ball by bouncing it off his backside. While this skill move could very well be a glitch, it looks like it isn’t. Based on fan reactions, there is a slight chance that pressing L2 (flair pass button) could make this move work. While there have been a few examples of gameplay, it remains a challenging move and is not for the faint of heart.

Gi-Hun from Squid Game!

Are characters from Squid Game in EA FC? A recent screen grab from the game shows a Gold card for Seong Gi-Hun, played by Lee Jung-jae in the world-famous Korean Netflix show, Squid Game. Just behind Gi-Hun, a card for Jang Geum-ja, played by Kang Ae-shim, is also visible. This is almost unbelievable, as there have been no rumors or reports of Squid Game collaborating with EA Sports.

While Gi-Hun is an iconic character and the protagonist of all the seasons of Squid Game, the inclusion of Geum-ja, a character from Seasons 2 and 3 makes the screengrab a well-edited gag. Even the flag under Geum-ja, which showcases Japan, is wrong as the characters are primarily Korean.

Although no Squid Game cameos are happening in-game, celebrity cameos like DJ Snake and Dua Lipa have been featured in the FIFA series before.

EA FC 26 is a true Ego Stomper

Content Creator and Twitch Streamer Mavric put out a video on his Twitter/X account yesterday talking wholeheartedly about the new multiplayer gameplay in EA FC 26. Citing the complete lack of AI, he called the game a “serious ego stomper.”

Highlighting how there are not “a clear and concise, out-and-out formation” to play. Over his two-minute video, the streamer talks at length about how EA has finally levelled down the AI to a way that only truly pro players can win games, leaving “medium-skilled” players like him in the dust. This is a comparison to earlier FIFA games where players still had a superior AI which allowed lesser-skilled player to salvage their matches. That includes, strong goalkeeper AI, interception AI and tackle/ball-winning AI that defenders would automatically display. That has been severely toned down and that has made only the pro players stand out.

While this video is not specifically a rant, although it might as well be, what Maveric says holds genuine weight. The game’s multiplayer is going to polarize fans, and casual gamers are the ones who are going to be most affected; as it is not viable for everyone to load up the game and become a pro player mastering skil moves over night. This time, the tactics and formations have to be mentally mapped out, making the game tougher for players.

Earlier a 4-2-3-1 with pacy strikers and wingers would usually make for a straightforward win, but FC 26 has swayed the directives aside and made the game truly challenging without the need for heavy AI scripting.

Dani Olmo Exit from Barcelona

Looks like the end of the road for Spanish winger Olmo in this viral tweet.

Olmo has been catching strays this season. While the Spanish winger entered Barcelona with much fanfare, he seems to have cut a forlorn figure in Flick’s squad. Out of form, Olmo’s stint at Barcelona seems to be ending. Seems like the same sentiment is being echoed in Career Mode, as this user has posted. While Olmo has a 85 rated card, his pace which comes at a 73, makes him a slow midfielder and sometimes that could make a player surplus to requirements. It has become almost a custom now for new players entering Manager Mode, to ship off Olmo as soon as possible.

Streamer Breaks Chair in Rage after Chiesa mistake

This will surely leave anybody in splits. Guess this guy didn’t like the new physics put by EA.

Ryan Haber, a proud Manchester United fan, is also a relatively popular streamer. While playing (and losing 3-0 ) an Online Friendly, his winger Federico Chiesa receives the ball and then proceeds to collide with the ad board, and then tumble over. In a fit of rage, he smashes his controller on the table, throws his chair, which somehow sends the wheels of his chair flying around, and the reaction is too funny to say the least.

Haber even makes a joke about how his wall is in “the process of being patched up.”

While rage-quitting and getting mad at the various flaws of the game have been a penchant for gamers for many, many years, it is still hilarious to see gamers react the way they do.

While these sensational memes and talks about EA FC 26 have gained quite a bit of traction, the game has copped criticism as well as fanfare from gamers. The popularity of the game also leads to fake news and speculations, like the Dalot Tifo and the Squid Game meme. However, the game has still received enough love and hate to warrant even more discussions as the days come by.

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