Ahead of the UFC 251 pay per view tonight, Electronic Arts has announced EA Sports UFC 4. The mixed martial arts video game is set to release worldwide on August 14 and will feature current UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and BMF titleholder Jorge Masvida on the cover.
A reveal trailer for EA Sports UFC 4 was shared alongside the cover art, emphasizing the game's new and improved Career Mode in which you can create your very own fighter and select background performance details, like weight class and MMA discipline. As you progress through career mode, your fighter's skillset will evolve in that discipline.
As you take your fighter from an unknown amateur to UFC fighter, you'll develop backstories that determine your ultimate career path. You'll build relationships with other fighters, resulting in partnerships and rivalries; fight in all-new environments such as The Kumite and The Backyard; and unlock unique gear (of which there is over 1,600 unique pieces) and different emotes (over 120) to express yourself with. All of these customization options and background details aim to ensure that no two careers are the same.
“I am the face of the new wave of UFC fighters, so it feels right to represent the sport on this new generation UFC game,” said UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. “I look forward to my fans playing as me as much as I have enjoyed playing as myself.”
"MMA is more than about the belt. It’s about who you are as a person and the determination that drives a fighter to go from unknown to selling out arenas all over the world,” said Jorge Masvidal, who will compete at UFC 251 for the welterweight title against current champion Kamaru Usman. “I grew up backyard fighting so it’s exciting for me to see that style of fighting come to UFC 4 where players can bring out their Gamebred mentality.”
In an effort to create a more realistic fight experience, EA has completely overhauled the takedown and ground mechanics, developed more fluid clinch-strike combinations, and created new takedown animations driven by player control and fighter attributes. The goal is to make players feel like they are at "the center of every fight." The reveal trailer does a good job of showcasing just how intense the action will be when you step into the Octagon.
“UFC 4 is the most authentic MMA game ever,” said Brian Hayes, Creative Director, EA SPORTS UFC. “We’ve created a visceral fighting experience that allows players to create their own UFC legacy with Create a Fighter, explore the origins of MMA through our new fighting grounds and be in full control of every strike and takedown with our overhauled core gameplay mechanics.”
EA Sports UFC 4 will be available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on August 14. Those who pre-order can unlock boxers Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua as well as cosmetic items via the Backyard Customization Pack and Kumite Customization Pack.