The upcoming Version 1.1.3 Title Update for FC 26 is focused entirely on enhancing the single-player experience, driven directly by “Career Mode feedback” from the community. The goal of this release is to make the opponent controlled by the virtual user- the “CPU AI” – more challenging and engaging to play against.
It is critical to note that the term CPU AI refers exclusively to the team you play against in offline matches. This update has no impact on the player versus player experience.
Core Changes to CPU AI Decision-Making
Version 1.1.3 introduces fundamental changes to the opponent’s logic across both offensive and defensive phases of play, applying to both Competitive and Authentic Gameplay settings.
I. Offensive Enhancements: Fluidity and Retention
The CPU AI has been overhauled to play a more effective and fluid style of football, addressing previous issues where it would often “overdribbled or dwelled on the ball too long,” leading to “easy dispossession.”
- Quicker Passing: The AI will now “look for passes more often and make quicker decisions about them,” allowing it to execute “more fluid passages of play” and “better passing plays.”
- Smarter Dribbling: Dribbling is now designed to be more “effective,” featuring “sharper turns” and “less straightforward movement.” This combination means the AI will “lose the ball less often” and be inherently “harder to dispossess.”
- Game Flow: Overall, the CPU will adopt a more “organic approach,” leading to a “faster and more natural game flow.”
II. Defensive Structure: Discipline and Structure
Defensively, the update focuses on eliminating structural weaknesses caused by poor player switching, ensuring the opponent is harder to break down.
- Improved Switching: The CPU AI is now better at making “player switching decisions on defense.” It can make the decision to “switch to center backs sooner,” particularly in situations where trailing the runner is not beneficial.
- Maintaining Shape: This enhanced switching logic is key to “maintaining a more structured defensive shape,” preventing the opening of “unnecessary pockets of space with out of position players.”
Impact on Difficulty Settings
The developers state that these behavioral changes “will be more noticeable on higher difficulties,” such as Legendary and Ultimate. By fixing the underlying tactical logic, the AI will now utilize its high statistical attributes with superior decision-making, significantly elevating the required level of tactical execution from the human player.
In summary, players can expect the CPU AI to be smarter, harder to break down defensively, and capable of executing more intelligent offensive passages of play across all offline modes.
Read more on the update on EA’s Trello.
