FIFA 14 Ultimate Team: Deeper Chemistry, Loyalty and New Features Detailed

EA Sports has finally detailed FIFA 14's highly anticipated Ultimate Team mode.

Those addicted to spending on an endless array of packs may want to "accidentally" lose their wallet. The upcoming game is set to usher in a number of changes that will give players the opportunity to develop their team's character and playing style like never before.

Preceding the official announcement, EA decided to wet the appetite with confirmation that online single matches will return in FUT14:

Such a tweet will be music to the ears of gamers who wish to find online competition without having to engage in a tournament. EA quickly followed the news with a breakdown of FIFA 14's new features, as detailed by lead producer Marcel Kuhn over on VG24/7:

How will these changes affect the new game? Let's take a look.

Deeper Chemistry

This is all about etching your personality over each squad. Player formation and morale items will be removed in order to implement a new system that prioritises FUT Chemistry Style and Loyalty.

It all sounds very confusing on the surface, but users will quickly adapt. As explained on EA's official website, each player's key attributes can be altered to match your needs:

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There are a variety of different FUT Chemistry Styles for goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards. Every Chemistry Style affects different player attributes, which makes each individual play styles stand out within the game.

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In practice, this essentially means two competitors can have exactly the same team playing in completely different ways. Do you deploy Everton's Marouane Felliani in midfield? You can now choose whether or not he receives an attacking or defensive bonus, amongst other choices. Do you favour Fernando Torres as a lone striker? Ramp up his shooting ability.

Take a look at the screenshot below for a better idea of how this works:

This finally allows users to craft individual squads with their own particular flavor and flair. One of FUT13's main problems was the need to buy players in particular formations to ensure maximum chemistry. With FUT Chemistry Style added, your players and squads offer a flexibility that hasn't been seen in the series before.

As confirmed by EA community manager Rob Hodson, you must decide which individual areas you'd like each player to improve. Your team will no longer receive extra boosts of individual swagger through full chemistry.

It is worth noting that Chemistry Style does not work in the same way as last year's attribute items. FIFA 13 allowed players to apply a one-off attribute boost with specially designed cards, but as Hodson confirms, Chemistry Styles will remain until you decide a change is needed:

 Player Loyalty

Ever snapped up a long term target and dismissed his ability after one match? FUT14 encourages you to spend time with your acquisitions. Wine and dine them, take them to the cinema, pester them on Facebook with messages of adoration.

Okay, maybe not. Players found in packs will automatically receive a chemistry boost, while those you pick up via auction will need a little loving to reach their full potential. Players can now muster 10 chemistry instead of 9, but the only way you can achieve this with signings from the market is by playing 10 games. Hodson explained a little further:

Managers' chemistry is now included in each player's 10. The overcoat wearing bosses can also change leagues with a well-placed consumable, ensuring hybrid players have plenty of new options to explore. Hodson confirmed the change:

 Improved Transfer Market functionality

FIFA 13's Transfer Market was rather fiddly to use. Individual criteria had to be painstakingly set if you were to zone in on particular players, but now, you can search by name.

This will also look like the main Ultimate Team menu from last year, providing you with a more appealing visual appearance than FIFA 13's text heavy offering. Although a small change, searching by name will allow speedy improvements to be made between games. No more wading through Paris Saint-Germain's Alex when all you want is a Thiago Silva.

Expanded Seasons Mode

FUT14 is set to build on one of last year's biggest successes with an expanded Seasons Mode. Players can now work through 10 divisions featuring promotion, relegation and the chance to compete in prestigious tournaments. Players can win titles, coins, items and players in a mode that will track all of your stats along the way.

New squad customization options

Simple changes to squad customization will allow you to alter individual squad numbers and set-piece takers directly from the squad screen. This means you'll no longer have Richard Dunne readying himself to take a corner with No. 9 on his back.

What do you think of FIFA 14's Ultimate Team changes? Are you excited to play the new game? Let me know in the comments section and be sure to discuss it with me on Twitter.