KEY POINTS

  • "FIFA 21" and "Madden NFL 21" will arrive on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 next month
  • A digitally delivered free upgrade will be given to those who are buying them before Dec. 4
  • Those who bought the physical versions need to go to the EA website for the upgrade

EA Sports announced that both “FIFA 21” and “Madden NFL 21” will arrive on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X just a few weeks after the launch of the consoles.

The target date for the launch of the games is Dec. 4 or three weeks after the gaming machines hit the shelves. The next-generation versions of each game are free upgrades for those who already own copies for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

This will mark the first time that the flagship titles from EA Sports will not launch with a new console since the FIFA series missed the launch of the Xbox 360 back in 2005.

Gamers who have the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of the games or will buy them before Dec. 4 will receive a digitally delivered upgrade for free on that day. For those who have the disc version, they just have to go to the EA website to get upgraded.

The offer expires when “FIFA 22” and “Madden NFL 22” are released next year in what EA calls “Dual Entitlement.” The offer remains good, however, whether or not either game is bought before the next-gen consoles’ launch or after.

Initially, EA limited the free claim on the newest versions of both titles to Dec. 31, 2020 to effectively keep it out of the Smart Delivery program of Xbox Series X. Smart Delivery allows people to always have access to the best version of a game no matter what console they choose to play on.

Consumer outcry followed and EA then extended the offer to the launch of “Madden NFL 22.”

Player progress and collected items in both “FIFA 21” and “Madden NFL 21” will also be carried over across both generations, according to Polygon. This includes the Ultimate Team modes for both games, Franchise and The Yard modes for “Madden NFL 21”, and Volta Football mode in “FIFA 21.”

“Madden NFL 21” partnered with ESPN this year to reveal preseason player ratings for some of the league’s top players. Reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs emerged as the top-rated quarterback with a 99 rating followed by a 97 for Seattle Seahawks signal-caller Russell Wilson.

PS5 Xbox Series X
The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are pictured. Sony; Microsoft
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