Seoul-based games publisher JOYCITY has unveiled its next major console title, FreeStyle Football 2 (FSF2), a high-energy 5v5 team sports game built on Unreal Engine 5 and developed in partnership with studio WOORE. The title is slated for a global release in the second quarter of 2026 and will be available on Xbox Series X|S, including day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and PlayStation 5.
The game, a follow-up to the company’s earlier FreeStyle Football release, aims to combine fast-paced football with character-driven gameplay and extensive customisation options. By leveraging next-generation console technology, FSF2 seeks to broaden JOYCITY’s footprint in the competitive sports gaming sector, where titles such as FIFA and eFootball dominate the mainstream market.
Character-focused play
FreeStyle Football 2 will launch with 12 unique characters, each offering distinct skills that affect in-game tactics and team coordination. These include abilities such as lightning-fast passing, morale-boosting support, and high-powered strikes. Players will control one character each in online 5v5 matches, heightening the emphasis on teamwork and individual contribution.
Among the standout features is the “1 Player, 1 Character” control system, designed to deliver what JOYCITY describes as a more realistic and dynamic football experience. The game will also feature a story mode offering between 10 and 20 hours of single-player content, exploring each character’s backstory.
The company has confirmed a strong focus on personalisation, with players able to collect and customise characters extensively, expressing their style both on and off the pitch.
Competitive focus and club system
Reflecting the growing importance of eSports, FSF2 has been designed with competitive play in mind. Dedicated servers and tournament-ready systems are being built into the game from launch, providing infrastructure for professional and community-level competitions.
A club system will allow players to form and manage teams, compete in ranked divisions, and develop strategies. According to JOYCITY, this system will also tie into merchandising and fantasy league activities, supported by a companion app.
Matches will be staged on fields inspired by real-world and iconic global locations, lending the game what the publisher calls a “global flair”.
Market positioning and monetisation
FSF2 will be released in multiple editions — Basic, Premium, Deluxe and Limited Club Edition — alongside a monetisation model centred on season passes, downloadable content, and regular updates. This mirrors the prevailing console framework used across leading sports franchises, while giving JOYCITY scope to maintain player engagement through ongoing content.
The game will launch in nine languages, including English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (both Simplified and Traditional), Spanish, French, German and Portuguese, positioning it for broad international reach.
Developer and publisher perspectives
“FreeStyle Football 2 isn’t just about scoring goals, it’s about the thrill of building plays, working as a unit, and celebrating every hard-earned victory with your team,” said Myungsu Kim, CEO at WOORE. “With our deep customization, club system, and eSports-ready design, our goal (pun intended) is to provide the complete football gaming experience to the players around the world!”
WOORE, established in 2021 by industry veterans Myungsu Kim and CTO Insoo Song, was formed by the original creators of FreeStyle Basketball and FreeStyle Football. The studio brings extensive console and online gaming experience to the project, with its debut title rooted in a long-standing passion for football.
Company background
JOYCITY has built a reputation as a major developer and publisher of online games across console, PC and mobile platforms. Its sports titles, most notably the global hit 3on3 FreeStyle, have helped the company establish a strong following, while additional successes include Gunship Battle: Total Warfare and Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War.
By moving aggressively into next-generation sports gaming with FSF2, JOYCITY is aiming to expand its international profile and capitalise on the increasing crossover between casual gaming, customisation-driven play, and the rapidly growing eSports market.