FIFA 23 seemingly leaked today, briefly making the entire game playable - and it may even have revealed some real-life kits that hadn't yet been shown to the public.
According to some players, a pre-load that was sent to those who pre-ordered the game was accidentally made live, allowing Ultimate Edition players to launch and play the upcoming FIFA 23 game. Additionally, the EA Play trial may have gone live early, allowing others to access the game, too.
FIFA 23 isn’t supposed to be playable until September 27.
People some how getting on FIFA 23 on Xbox already. Game isn't even released yet and mistake #1 is here!
— NepentheZ (@NepentheZ) August 30, 2022
A number of players were able to load and play the game, with Twitch user mexico07dan1 (via Eurogamer) streaming FIFA 23 before his account was swiftly banned. However, several gameplay clips of the upcoming game remain online.
Stats from this year's FIFA Ultimate Team have also begun to leak:
🚨 Current ratings in #FIFA23
— Donk 🍊/ #FIFA23 News (@DonkTrading) August 30, 2022
- Messi 🇦🇷 91
- Mbappe 🇫🇷 91
- Benzema 🇫🇷 91
- Lewandowski 🇵🇱 91
- Mane 🇸🇳 90
- Neymar 🇧🇷 89
- Marquinhos 🇧🇷 88
- Donnarumma 🇮🇹 88
- Vini Junior 🇧🇷 86
- Pedri 🇪🇸 85
- Kimpembe 🇫🇷 83
Not sure if they update but people are on the full game!
AC Milan ratings in FIFA 23!
— Spreadsheet Josh (@SpreadsheetFifa) August 30, 2022
That 84 Tomori is going to be a joke! pic.twitter.com/Z5VZNo29dE
It’s unclear how this accidental release happened, but it’s bound to come as a blow to EA, which usually drip feeds info about its upcoming FIFA titles in an extended marketing push before the game’s release.
The fact that this often involves kit partners makes the leak even more problematic. Some kits featured in FIFA 23 have not yet been revealed by the real-life clubs, but in-game versions have now begun to leak online, including Liverpool and Atlético Madrid’s third kits.
Liverpools 3rd kit leaked by EA 😂
— FUTZone - #FIFA23 News (@FUTZONEFIFA) August 30, 2022
What a W 🔴 pic.twitter.com/J6V8dkHFAq
Atlético Madrid's 2022/23 season third kit ALSO leaked on FIFA 23. 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/pCuHFbu9n1
— Sorare 180 (@T180EU) August 30, 2022
Of course, this isn’t the only mistake involving FIFA 23 in recent weeks, after the game was accidentally given a 99.98% discount when FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition was listed for pre-order on the Indian Epic Games Store. EA responded by honoring the ridiculously heavy discount for those who purchased it.
FIFA 23 will be the last of its name, after EA opted not to pay an enormous licensing fee to continue its partnership with FIFA. Instead, the franchise will begin anew as EA Sports FC.
Want to read more about FIFA 23? Check out IGN’s FIFA 23 hands-on preview as well as why those Ultimate Team loot boxes are here to stay.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.