EA Sports UFC 6 in Development: Will It Arrive Sooner Than Expected?

According to industry insider Mike Straw, EA Sports UFC 6 is reportedly in full development, with a tentative release date set for 2025. This news comes just a year after the release of EA Sports UFC 5 in October 2023, which was the first entry in the series in over three years. If this timeline holds, UFC 6 would mark a faster turnaround for the franchise, returning it to its usual two-year release cycle after the longer gap between UFC 4 and UFC 5.

Although EA Sports UFC 5 received positive reviews from critics, fan reception was mixed. Complaints ranged from the repetitive nature of the career mode to a lack of ranked fighters in the roster. Despite the inclusion of legendary fighters like Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali, many fans were disappointed by the fact that these icons shared the same movements and animations as modern MMA fighters, leading to a less-than-ideal experience for some.

In response to the backlash, EA pledged to improve communication with its player base, regularly deploying updates and expanding the roster. However, recent rumours suggest that support for UFC 5 is winding down as the team shifts its focus to UFC 6. According to Straw, the game is in "full production" and is currently targeting a 2025 release. However, he also mentioned that a delay to 2026 is not out of the question.

EA appears eager to return to its typical release cycle, especially after the lukewarm reception of UFC 5 and the gap between titles, which some believe caused the game to fall "off the radar" for many fans. Straw also dismissed concerns that a potential 2026 release could be tied to the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6, stating that the two games occupy completely different genres and markets.

For now, MMA fans can hope that UFC 6 will build on the successes of its predecessors and address the shortcomings that marred UFC 5.

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