I was able to attend a virtual preview of EA Sports FC 25. This preview was self-guided, where I could watch several video presentations from the producers and development team.

EA Sports FC 25 is introducing Rush: a brand new 5 v 5 experience built on the existing mechanics of traditional 11 v 11 gameplay. When I heard this, I immediately thought of VOLTA: a street soccer mode within FC that had its own set of additional modes, mechanics, unique fields that were rarely fields at all, and plenty of style. 

Senior Producer Sam Rivera was quick to clarify that “The Rush experience is not like VOLTA.” The desire to distance itself from VOLTA became clear when he added that “after community feedback” the team “made [the] decision to remove VOLTA from FC 25.” Shock and disappointment washed over me immediately. But, I have to admit, by the time I finished hearing the Rush pitch my grief had faded into the background. 

Rush Explained

With 4 outfielders and 1 AI controlled goalie everyone becomes more important, whether it's how you use your time on the ball or how you position yourself — since there are no fixed positions. And, like VOLTA, the field is smaller than your standard pitch but “big enough for you to be creative, take advantage of space, [and] run away from defenders,” says Rivera. 

Below are the features that are unique to Rush:

• Blue Cards: when a foul occurs a player is sent off for 1 minute and then can return to the game.
• Race to Ball Kick Off: a single ball is launched into the center of the pitch (from either the top or the bottom sideline launcher) and both teams have to race to get it.
• 1 on 1 Penalty Style: everyone is controlling their player. Meanwhile, the captain of the defending team can control the goalkeeper.
• Attacking Third Offsides: same concept as 11 v 11 but it starts at the attacking third not the attacking half. 
• Match duration and tie break: a total match duration of 7 minutes - with no halftime. "Matches tied at the end of regulation time go to a 2:20min Golden Goal Extra Time, followed by 1-on-1 Penalty Shootouts if the tie remains. There's also a "Buzzer Beater rule... if a shot is in flight as the clock hits 0’, the game continues until the play concludes—whether by a goalkeeper's save, the ball going out of play, a goal being scored, or an opponent blocking/intercepting the ball. Additionally, if a penalty kick is awarded in the final seconds, a brief extension past the 0’ mark is granted, ensuring that the fouled player gets the chance to take a shot. The player cannot pass or lose possession during this grace period, or else the match will end right away." (via Rush Deep Dive Pitch Notes)
• AR Coach: "provides real-time visual guidance to help improve players' decision-making and positioning during Rush matches." (via Rush Deep Dive Pitch Notes)

Rush sounds like it’s taking some of the best structural aspects of VOLTA (fewer players, smaller field, modified ruleset) and leaving behind what held VOLTA back the most (a unique mechanical structure that got stuck between a realistic sim and a casual street sports experience). 

I’m probably going to play way more Rush than I ever played VOLTA. But while this decision may make for a better game I think it, ultimately, makes for a worse franchise.

VOLTA Had Heart and Personality

I remember attending EA Play during E3 2019. They had an outdoor soccer game running the entire time to highlight their new, upcoming game mode: VOLTA. It was different. It was fresh. It was about adding something fun. 

But more importantly, it was about celebrating the sport and the different ways people play it. This was especially apparent with the inclusion of Futsal (a FIFA-recognised form of small-sided indoor football) as a mode within VOLTA.

When I first saw VOLTA I saw it on converted basketball courts, in graffitied warehouses, on rooftops illuminated by propped up stadium lights. When I first saw Rush it was in a brand new stadium developed in collaboration with Nike. It’s based on Nike’s Mercurial Cleats and the iconic swoosh and the result is a stadium that’s angled at 23.7 degrees. It looks like a urinal that happens to host the occasional drone show inside it.

This isn’t to say there won’t be more street style stadium options for Rush (maybe there is, maybe there isn’t). But the fact that Rush was shown off in its most corporate setting was a stark reminder of how far we’ve come from VOLTA: a mode that truly felt for the culture.

That press release from EA back in 2019 said VOLTA was about “returning football back to its roots in an authentic, cultural and creative way.” Even if it’s not VOLTA specifically, I hope this return isn’t gone for good.