Are EA servers down? FIFA 21 server status, maintenance & downtime - Dexerto
FIFA

Are EA servers down? FIFA 21 server status, maintenance & downtime

Published: 13/Oct/2020 8:40 Updated: 23/Oct/2020 18:32

by David Purcell
EA SPORTS

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FIFA 21

FIFA 21 players are never happy when the EA servers are down, and it appears that the latest offering of the popular football franchise is struggling with issues on Friday, October 23, with widespread reports from players unable to connect to the servers. 

Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC players started dropping into the online servers of EA’s flagship football game on October 6 with the release of the Champions and Ultimate editions of the game, while others needed to wait until October 9 for the general release of the game to hop into modes like Ultimate Team, Seasons, and Pro Clubs.

As always though, there are a few teething problems with the online services with so many players trying to hop onto the game at once, and it appears that on October 23, many were unable to gain access to FIFA 21’s online capabilities.

So, let’s take a look at the latest update on connectivity issues.

Co-Op in FIFA 21
EA SPORTS
Players won’t be celebrating when the EA servers go down.

Are EA servers down for FIFA 21?

October 23, 2020

It seems that EA is running through some scheduled maintenance, but not everybody will have been aware of this taking place. This was confirmed by FIFA Direct Communication.

Fans around the world tweeting that the EA servers are down, leaving them unable to connect. They have been posting on social media and sending reports into Down Detector, which is a website that monitors the server status of different titles.

The website confirms there are reported “issues” with EA’s servers, as expected, meaning players are unable to play FIFA Ultimate Team and their Division Rivals matches, fight for promotion in Seasons or join up with their pals to take on the world in the always popular Pro Clubs mode.

The server instability likely results from the new Rulebreakers update which brings a new set of FUT cards to the game.

EA has confirmed this should only last an hour, though these things often go over their deadlines. We’ll keep you posted with updates to this article in due course.

Stick with us @UltimateTeamUK for more updates on EA servers, FIFA 21 news, and more. We’ll be updating this page when we have more details.

FIFA

FIFA 21 Rulebreakers promo LIVE: player leaks, start time, predictions

Published: 23/Oct/2020 16:31 Updated: 23/Oct/2020 18:06

by Isaac McIntyre
EA SPORTS

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FIFA 21 FIFA Ultimate Team Rulebreakers

EA SPORTS has begun officially unveiling this year’s Halloween promo event for Ultimate Team, and it looks like we’ll actually be getting something a little out of the ordinary in FIFA 21… “Rulebreakers.” Here’s everything we know so far.

The last few years have seen Ultimate Scream rule the last weeks of October. The Halloween themed promo was trotted out in Ultimate Team for the last three years, but the special event’s ‘reign of terror’ seems to be coming to an end.

Instead, a new “Rulebreakers” promo is coming soon. 

EA SPORTS teased the event on Twitter on Oct. 21, with only three letters ⁠— two Rs and an S ⁠— and a fragmented FUT card. Soon after, Dexerto data miner FutWatch confirmed the hidden word would eventually spell out ‘Rulebreakers.’

The following day, Oct. 22, EA SPORTS confirmed the promo’s name. They also revealed, “Rulebreakers leave behind their previous styles of play and transform into different kinds of stars with game-changing stat updates.”

When will the “Rulebreakers” promo begin?

FIFA’s spooky Ultimate Team promo ⁠— or at least, what Dexerto assumes is replacing the Ultimate Scream event this time around ⁠— is still based around Halloween. That means the promo will start this week, on Friday, October 23.

The event should run for just over a week, past the Halloween weekend.

If the timing on the “Rulebreakers” promo is the same as FUT’s spooky Ultimate Scream, we should see it last for just over a week. That means any special packs, challenges, and promo deals that hit Ultimate Team will last until November 2.

We’ll likely get a first-look reveal of the new promo event, and an upgraded team along with it, ahead of that 6 pm Friday release time. Keep your eyes peeled on our Twitter accounts, @UltimateTeamUK, and @FutWatch, to see the news.

Rulebreakers predictions: new FIFA 21 upgrades?

Here’s where it gets a little tricky ⁠— EA SPORTS hasn’t really given us any clues about the potential upgrade team beyond the name. In fact, they haven’t even given us that yet, and we had to rely on Ultimate Team leaks to learn the truth.

It does sound like “Rulebreakers” could be one of two things. The first is those ‘destroyer’ players who pick up cards left and right, get stuck in on the pitch, and just rule the roost with their imposing presence in-game.

FIFA 21 richarlison
EA SPORTS
Everton striker Richarlison is a good Premier League shout for the “Rulebreakers” team.

The second could be more meta. The title, ‘Rulebreakers,’ could refer to cards featuring players out of position, and breaking the rules. Maybe we’ll see a 90+ pace center back ⁠— lord knows this meta needs one ⁠— or a 99 physical wingback upgrade.

This second suggestion is probably more likely, considering EA’s description of Rulebreakers: players will “leave behind their previous styles of play.”

EA has already confirmed two players for the promo too: Dries Mertens and Harry Kane. They also teased a third, a Brazillian star, but they have not yet confirmed it.

Confirmed ‘Rulebreaker’ players

FIFA Rulebreakers

  • Harry Kane
  • Aymerick Laporte
  • Douglas Costa
  • Dries Mertens
  • Radja Nainggolan
  • Lucas Ocampos
  • Marcos Llorente
  • Manuel Lazzari
  • Boubacar Kamara
  • Denzel Dumfries
  • Andre

Previous Predictions

  • Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
  • Diego Costa (Atlético Madrid)
  • Pepe (Arsenal)
  • Richarlison (Everton)
  • Erik Lamela (Tottenham)
  • David Luiz (Arsenal)
  • Luis Suarez (Atlético Madrid)
  • Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
  • Arturo Vidal (Juventus)
  • Nigel de Jong (Al-Shahania)
  • Hatem Ben Arfa (Bordeaux)
  • Radja Nainggolan (Inter Milan)

So there you have it ⁠— everything we know about FIFA 21’s new Rulebreakers Halloween promo so far. Make sure if you’ve got a few spare FUT coins you keep them in your back pocket; there could be some cracking cards on the way!

We’ll update this article when the promo begins. As always, stick with us on Twitter @UltimateTeamUK for all the latest FIFA news, updates, and content.