In the ever-evolving world of soccer video games, a new contender is set to make its mark. Strikerz Inc’s UFL, a fresh face in the genre, is stepping into the spotlight after completing its alpha testing phase, with an open beta this weekend on Xbox Series X|S and PS5.
From June 7 to June 9, gamers will finally have the chance to experience what the Cristiano Ronaldo-backed UFL has to offer. Keep on reading as we detail all that we know about UFL open beta, its date, time, features, and more.
When does UFL Open Beta begin and What to Expect from Beta?
The UFL open beta will run from Friday, June 7 at 1 pm BST / 8 am EDT / 5 am PDT to Monday, June 10 at 3 am BST / 12 am EDT / 7 pm PDT.
The UFL open beta is available for download now and requires 21.38GB of space.
Players will have access to the game’s main online mode, where they can create their own football clubs using real-life licensed players. As they compete against other players worldwide, they will earn in-game resources to improve and customize their clubs.
In addition to the main online mode, the beta will also feature offline local matches, providing a comprehensive taste of what UFL has to offer.
Backing by Ronaldo and Unique Elements in UFL
Marketed as “an exciting and fair skill-based football experience,” UFL promises to shake up the soccer gaming landscape, which has long been dominated by EA Sports and Konami.
One of the most intriguing aspects of UFL is its backing by high-profile football stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who is part of a $40 million investment group supporting the game’s development.
Ronaldo, alongside ambassadors Roberto Firmino, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Romelu Lukaku, and Kevin De Bruyne, brings significant star power and credibility to the project. Ronaldo has expressed his excitement about UFL, stating that it has the potential to become “the new breed in football gaming.”
Moreover, unlike many of its competitors, UFL is free-to-play and emphasizes a fair-to-play experience, steering clear of the pay-to-win model. This focus on skill and fairness is a direct challenge to established giants like EA FC 24, which often rely on microtransactions.
However, one of the challenges UFL faces is in the area of licensing. While EA FC 24 boasts over 19,000 players, 700+ teams, and exclusive partnerships with major leagues, UFL will feature more than 4,000 players licensed by FIFPro. This ensures a level of authenticity, but the absence of real-life teams and leagues might be a drawback for some players.
UFL Release Date and Future
UFL has been in development since 2016 by the Cyprus-based studio Strikerz Inc. Officially unveiled at Gamescom 2021, the game initially flew under the radar, overshadowed by hopes that Konami’s eFootball would revolutionize the free-to-play model for soccer games—a hope that ultimately fell short.
A release date for UFL was initially set for 2022 but was pushed back to ensure the game met the high expectations of its developers and fans.
Now, while the exact release date for the full version of UFL is yet not confirmed, it is expected to launch later this year. With EA FC 25 anticipated to be released around late September, UFL might aim for a mid-to-late August release to get ahead of its competition.
As the UFL open beta kicks off this weekend, it’s clear that the game is positioning itself as a serious contender in the soccer gaming genre. Whether it will succeed in hitting the back of the net remains to be seen, but this weekend’s open beta will be the first step in proving its capabilities.
For constant updates, keep following Gamevro.
