FAQs

How do I gain access to the mod?

Through Patreon!
If you want the complete Gameplay Overhaul experience - all current Standalones, hundreds of Options and Presets, and the ability to fully customise the gameplay, join the Full Gameplay Package tier.
If you simply want access to the latest Standalones without all of the additional customisation, join the Standalones Only tier.
I also offer a free version of the mod, but this is a single Standalone from an older release. Development hasn't stopped there. the mod has continued to be worked on every day, with each version building on everything I've learned from the last.
Patreon support is what allows me to keep developing, testing and improving the Gameplay Overhaul throughout the lifecycle of the game.

I’m overwhelmed - Where do I start?

Play first. Customise later.
Start by applying the Essential Settings, then choose Natural Dynamic+ and simply play. Don’t immediately start adding Options.
Get a feel for the movement. If you want something faster or slower, read the Standalone Differences guide and choose a Standalone that better suits you. Remember, every Standalone is already a complete, all-in-one gameplay mod.
Once you’re happy with your Standalone, keep playing. Only then ask yourself what you actually want to change.
When you have a specific reason to adjust something, explore the Options. Every Option includes guidance explaining what it does and how it will affect your Standalone.
In short: Essential Settings → Standalone → PLAY → identify what you want to change → add Options slowly and with purpose.
Don’t build a huge combination before you’ve even played the mod.

What’s the most realistic set-up?

There isn’t one. Everything in the Gameplay Overhaul is designed with realism in mind, but realism is subjective. Different players value different things, and even factors like half length can completely change how a particular setup feels.
The Standalone is designed to provide a balanced, complete gameplay experience. Start there, learn how it plays, then use Options only if you want to fine-tune particular areas to suit your own interpretation of realistic football.
There is no universal “best” setup - the best setup is the one that feels right to you.

what’s the difference between the standalones?

Every Standalone contains the same core gameplay features and improvements. The main difference between them is movement - how players accelerate, turn, dribble, sprint and generally feel on the pitch.
Think of them as different movement styles built around the same Gameplay Overhaul, rather than completely different mods.
You only need to choose ONE Standalone. If you’re unsure where to begin, start with NATURAL DYNAMIC+, then experiment with the others if you want a different feel.
Same core gameplay. Different movement. Choose the feel you prefer.

Why is the gameplay really fast all of a sudden?

Don’t panic - speed increases are temporary.
EAFC can sometimes randomly speed up or slow down. This is a long-standing engine quirk and is not an intentional part of the Gameplay Overhaul.
When it happens, the entire game can feel unusually fast - movement, animations, reactions, collisions and general gameplay can all feel “turbo charged.”
It will settle and return to normal. This can take anywhere from a few hours to, occasionally, a few days.
If you’ve just installed the mod, don’t judge its intended speed from your first few sessions if the game suddenly feels unusually fast.
Unfortunately, there is no magic fix., but trust me - it will pass.
Every single Option is explained. Inside each Option folder, you’ll find either a TXT file or PDF explaining exactly what that Option changes and the impact it will have on your Standalone.
Remember, the Gameplay Overhaul isn’t a modular mod. Your Standalone is the complete, all-in-one gameplay mod and is ready to play by itself.
Options are simply optional adjustments to that Standalone, allowing you to fine-tune specific areas of the gameplay if you want to.
Not sure what an Option does? Read the file inside its folder before using it.

How do I know what the options do?

why can’t I open the .txt or .pdf files?

Can’t open a TXT or PDF file? Move the file to your Desktop and open it from there - it’s just a Windows quirk. Alternatively, you can open the file through Google Docs.

What are the Alternative Standalones?

The EASIER and TRAP ALTERNATIVES are modified versions of the Standalones that remove specific gameplay changes. You use them instead of the standard version - never together. You still only select ONE Standalone.
EASIER ALTERNATIVE
Removes the major V9 defensive breakthrough that makes CPU defenders track dribblers more effectively, close space earlier and apply greater pressure. The CPU becomes less aggressive when tracking attacking movement, giving you more space and making individual dribbling and attacking progression more forgiving. 
TRAP ALTERNATIVE
Removes the deeper first-touch system introduced in V8 and returns trapping closer to the more traditional V7-style behaviour. Speed and momentum have less influence on first touches, resulting in less ball separation, fewer loose touches and more forgiving control when receiving the ball at speed.

In simple terms:
EASIER = less defensive pressure.
TRAP = more forgiving first touches.
If you enjoy the standard Standalone, you don't need either of them. They simply exist for those who want to make those specific changes.

the ball is too small - why?

This is intentional. The smaller ball was introduced after extensive testing because it produces more natural ball physics and a more realistic overall feel.
It may look unusual at first, but give it a few matches. Most people quickly adjust, and many find that returning to the larger ball afterwards actually looks and feels strange.
If you still prefer the previous size, simply use the “Ball Physics – Larger Ball – 4 (V7 Standalone Size)” option.

In short: give it a chance! If you still hate it after a few matches, you can easily change it back using the Larger Ball option.
None of those things are fixed characteristics of the Gameplay Overhaul. The mod is capable of producing a huge variety of different experiences - how you set it up matters enormously.
If you don't like slow gameplay, don't choose one of the slowest Standalones. If you want a greater challenge, choose a setup that creates one. The Standalones, CPU Set-Up Bases and Options give you enormous freedom to shape the experience around your preferences.
The key is to approach the mod correctly. Play first, build slowly, and READ before adding anything.
The biggest mistake I see is people throwing together large combinations for no particular reason, or adding Options simply because they like the sound of the name. Every Option changes the balance of an already complete Standalone, and stacking changes without understanding their impact can quickly create an experience you don't enjoy.
In short: don't fight against your own setup. Start simple, understand what you're changing, and build from there.

the gameplay is too fast/too slow/too easy/too hard/TOO PASSIVE/TOO ATTACKING - what do i do?

I want to change something - but how do I know where to look?

Let logic guide you. Every folder is clearly named, and throughout the mod you’ll find guidance explaining what everything does - you just have to read it.
Want to change the ball size for example? Go to ALL OPTIONS → BALL SIZE OPTIONS. Inside that folder, you’ll find the available Options along with a TXT or PDF explaining exactly what they do and why.
The same principle applies throughout the entire package. Find the area you want to change, open the relevant folder, and use the information provided to guide you.
I’ve spent a huge amount of time taking an incredibly complex gameplay system and making it as simple as possible for you to navigate and customise.
In short: don’t guess. Follow the folders, read the information, and let the mod guide you.

Something feels off in my balance - what do I do?

Strip it back. Your Standalone is already a complete, carefully balanced gameplay mod. Every Option you add changes that balance, sometimes in ways you may not expect.
If something suddenly doesn’t feel right, start removing Options rather than adding more to try to fix it. Go back towards the Standalone, then rebuild your combination slowly.
Most importantly, understand what you’re adding. Read the TXT/PDF inside each Option folder, add Options with a specific purpose, and test each change properly.
An Option isn't necessarily bad because something feels wrong, it may simply not work within the balance of your particular combination.
Remember: If in doubt, REMOVE. Strip it back, find your balance again, then build slowly.

why is the ball massive?

Your gameplay settings are incorrect. The oversized ball is an intentional visual warning that the mod is not running with the required setup. 

Make sure you are using:
CUSTOM Gameplay Type
Authenticity Features: OFF
Do not use Authentic Gameplay. If you’re playing Career Mode, remember that these settings must also be changed inside your Career Mode settings, as Career Mode defaults to Authentic Gameplay.

The first touch feels too strong - what can I do?

The new First Touch System, introduced in V8, is designed to add realistic depth to how players control the ball. The separation isn’t random - your approach to the ball, its speed, your movement and the direction you’re pushing into the touch can all influence the outcome.
It rewards you for reading the situation and adjusting how you receive the ball, rather than every touch being perfectly controlled.
However, if you simply don’t enjoy this system, you don’t have to use it. Select one of the TRAP ALTERNATIVE Standalones to revert to the previous First Touch System.
Remember: you only ever use ONE Standalone at a time.

Where can I find more help and information?

Use the information inside the download!

You’ll find step-by-step guides, PDFs, READ ME files and explanations throughout the entire mod.
If you’re unsure about something, the answer is very likely already inside the download. Follow the folder names, read the information provided and let it guide you.
You do not need to understand the technical side of modding - I’ve done that part for you.
Patreon members also get exclusive access to my Discord community. Make sure you link your Patreon account to Discord to automatically unlock all of the channels available to your tier.