FIFA 18 Release Date, Cover Star, Editions Revealed

FIFA 18's reveal trailer showed off in-game footage along with an adherence to authenticity, stressing on its relationship with high-profile footballers like Cristiano Ronaldo - who is the FIFA 18 cover star this year. Prior to this, it was rumoured that Pogba would be on the cover of FIFA 18. The game is out on September 29.

“The world’s best player has helped fuel the biggest leap forward on the pitch that we’ve ever delivered,” said Aaron McHardy, Senior Producer for EA Sports FIFA. “We are extremely excited to partner with Cristiano - working with him we learned a lot about his unique play style and what makes him so special. His passion, energy and global fanbase make him the perfect ambassador for FIFA 18.”

“It is a real pleasure to be on the cover of FIFA 18,” said Cristiano Ronaldo. “It’s a great feeling and I am grateful to have been chosen.”

The game will be powered by the Frostbite Engine. And while no details on FIFA 18's release date, modes, or content have been made given just yet, the trailer ends with PS4 branding.

FIFA 18 Ronaldo Edition, FIFA 18 Icon Edition details

Those who pre-order the Ronaldo Edition of FIFA 18 on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One or PC will receive three-day early access, up to $60 worth of additional content , including 20 jumbo premium gold packs (1 per week for 20 consecutive weeks), eight special edition FIFA Ultimate Team kits designed by artists on the FIFA 18 soundtrack and a Cristiano Ronaldo loan player for five FUT matches. The FIFA 18 Icon Edition comes with TOTW loan player packs and Ronaldo Nazario loan in terms of DLC. A comparison of all three version of the game is as follows.

FIFA 18 - release date and when you can play

FIFA 18 fans can get their hands on the full game before launch day, with Ronaldo Edition and Icon Edition owners getting three-day early access, letting them start playing on Tuesday, September 26, while EA Access and Origin Access members can enjoy up to 10 hours of play time starting Thursday, September 21 as part of the EA Access and Origin Access Play First Trial. Standard edition buyers can play the game from the official FIFA 18 release date of September 29.

FIFA 18 price and pre-order

The standard edition of FIFA 18 is $60 while the Ronaldo Edition is $80, and the Icon Edition is $100. Here's what you can expect from each of them. For India, the game costs Rs. 3,499 on PC. The Ronaldo Edition costs Rs. 4,799, and the Icon Edition is Rs. 5,499. The PS4 version of FIFA 18 costs Rs. 3,375. The FIFA 18 Ronaldo Edition PS4 is Rs. 4,499 and the FIFA 18 Icon Edition is Rs. 5,499. On Xbox One, the Ronaldo Edition of FIFA 18 is Rs. 4,800 while the Icon Edition is Rs. 5,500 and the FIFA 18 standard edition is Rs. 3,150.

If you want to buy FIFA 18 on disc in India, your only option is Amazon - EA's official exclusive retailer in the country. If you're wondering why a popular franchise like FIFA is exclusive to a single store in India, read our in-depth report to know why.

FIFA 18 PS4 marketing tie-up

Earlier we speculated that Sony had marketing rights for FIFA 18 and EA's FIFA 18 trailer proves this.

In an interview with Time, Shawn Layden President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment America and Chairman of SIE Worldwide Studios namedropped the fabled franchise along with several other games that are exclusive to the PS4 or have exclusive marketing deals with Sony. He had this to say:

"It's also the breadth of type of games," he continues. "And once you get up in the heady heights of 100 million units, you're talking of a different audience altogether, where having this range of stuff like Detroit: Become Human and FIFA and Call of Duty and Star Wars, it makes the job a whole lot easier."

Throw in the fact that PES 2018 was announced without any exclusive editions to the PS4 or Xbox One, lends further credence that Sony may be in the running for FIFA.

However, there seems to be little in way of PS4 exclusivity. FUT Legends - an exclusive to the Xbox One has been replaced with FUT Icons and will be available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Name change aside, much like FUT Legends, it brings classic footballers to FIFA Ultimate Team with Brazil's Ronaldo being the first.

We discuss FIFA 18's potential timed exclusivity in terms of content on the PS4 or Xbox One as well as its Nintendo Switch release on Transition - the Gadgets 360's pop culture and gaming podcast. You can subscribe to Transition via Apple Podcasts or RSS or just listen to this episode by hitting the play button below.