FIFA 10 Preview

[ChaseB]

I can never go back to playing FIFA 09. That’s the thought that went through my head when I played through my first game of FIFA 10 at E3. I didn’t publicly say that at the time because I didn’t want it to be hyperbole for the sake of hyperbole. But after playing FIFA 10 for the second time, I don’t think it’s even hyperbole to say such a thing -- it’s just the truth.

The moment you take a step onto the practice arena pitch in FIFA 10, I truly believe you will feel the same way. I say that because of the 360-degree dribbling, tied in with the minute movements that come with full player control, really does change the game for the better. After all, when playing any sports game, having more control of your players is never a bad thing.

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[Whitesox]

Great preview chase! Lets hope those negatives were only a part of this build.

[Logic Doctor]

Great Preview. I cant wait for FIFA 10 this year. It sounds like its going to be a solid gamplay upgrade. Im just hoping that manager mode gets the proper fixes and they infuse some sort of player customization (i.e. player sock length, shorts length, headbands, wristbands, knee brace, ankle brace, etc...)

"It was great to see the AI-controlled Ronaldo doing skill moves, but at the same time it didn’t really seem like that was the virtual Ronaldo out there."

I think you touched on a important issue here which my initial point also reperesents. That is differentiating the superstar players with their own animations or at least using the current animations similar to how each particualr superstar uses them. Maybe even superstars individual running styles?

So excited!!!!!

[Logic Doctor]

By the way,
Did they develop fifa 10 on the PS3 and are porting it tho the 360, or did they develop it on the 360 and are porting it to the PS3?

[bronco92]

Re: FIFA 10 Preview

By the way,
Did they develop fifa 10 on the PS3 and are porting it tho the 360, or did they develop it on the 360 and are porting it to the PS3?

It doesn't work like that. There is central technology designed to work with both 360 and PS3's.

[tescalumni2000]

All I want to know, is if they are finally giving the USA some love? I am tired of seeing them rated so far below Mexico and other teams they consistently are ahead of in FIFA's rankings.

My GOD, can those blokes in charge of FIFA please stop hating on the USA? I would also like to see the MLS get the roster updates this year, but I know that won't happen.

IS USA BETTER?

[thelems]

Comparatively, how does the Franchise--err, Manager Mode rank with other titles like PES and FM? This has always been FIFAs weak point relative to other titles (direct football competition and within other EA titles) and is probably the deciding factor on changing its public perception (and mine)...

[Whitesox]

Re: FIFA 10 Preview

Comparatively, how does the Franchise--err, Manager Mode rank with other titles like PES and FM? This has always been FIFAs weak point relative to other titles (direct football competition and within other EA titles) and is probably the deciding factor on changing its public perception (and mine)...

Manager mode will NEVER be at the level of FM. That is because FM makes the entire game manager mode, and spends all of their time on it. I believe EA has a manager title...right?

[thelems]

I only bring that up because titles like MLB The Show (not EA), NCAA and Madden really seem to have this down. Maybe not to the extent of FM, but really damn close. I'm fairly sure you could pay 20-30 dollars just to play their franchise modes alone...

[MK47]

Some of those comments make me fear that they further tweak the game to make it more about tricks and up and down the pitch "joga bonito" that's impossible to defend rather than anything that has to do with the real game of football. So far FIFA is still a game with the odd 0-0 and 1-1 type games but the last 2 games (Euro 08 and FIFA 09) one could already detect a trend towards a less tactical, less solid game of football and more one aimed at those who want to dribble their way into the net.

But I guess a lot of the target audience isn't really very familiar with the actual sport.

[ChaseB]

I don't think you have to worry about the developers straying from pursuing a realistic soccer sim.

[Murkurial]

Re: FIFA 10 Preview

I don't think you have to worry about the developers straying from pursuing a realistic soccer sim.

They already have with the move from FIFA 08 to 09. 09 is all about the super fast arcade-style play. If they've essentially gone back to what 08 was with better responsiveness, then maybe we can say that. If it isn't drastically different (read: slower) than 09 then we're still in arcade territory.

The target audience really only cares about highlight reel style play anyway but I hope for the soccer purists' sake, they actually try to make a sim.

Some of those comments make me fear that they further tweak the game to make it more about tricks and up and down the pitch "joga bonito" that's impossible to defend rather than anything that has to do with the real game of football. So far FIFA is still a game with the odd 0-0 and 1-1 type games but the last 2 games (Euro 08 and FIFA 09) one could already detect a trend towards a less tactical, less solid game of football and more one aimed at those who want to dribble their way into the net.

But I guess a lot of the target audience isn't really very familiar with the actual sport.

Nice to know someone else has their head on straight.

[thelems]

This sounds like the complaint from FIFAs 99-03 era. Pacing was a huge issue back then and the game always played too fast. People complained and complained. And since PES was sitting around demolishing FIFA internationally and in North America no one gave a damn, mediocrity and not much development was the norm for the FIFA series at the time.

I don't think that would happen again. A real developer, even a North American developer, should know, if not from the fan response the past ten years, that soccer is a game about the build up and developing the plays and not as often the individual feats.

[Murkurial]

Re: FIFA 10 Preview

This sounds like the complaint from FIFAs 99-03 era. Pacing was a huge issue back then and the game always played too fast. People complained and complained. And since PES was sitting around demolishing FIFA internationally and in North America no one gave a damn, mediocrity and not much development was the norm for the FIFA series at the time.

I don't think that would happen again. A real developer, even a North American developer, should know, if not from the fan response the past ten years, that soccer is a game about the build up and developing the plays and not as often the individual feats.

If you've played FIFA 09 then it's pretty obvious that there is no such build up play there as well. It's already happened again. Now if they go back to what 08 was, but keep the increased responsiveness and 360 dribbling, among other things, then we're all good.

The majority of those tossing all compliments EA's way either don't play soccer and only see the odd Sportscenter Top 10 Plays highlight reel of ridiculous volleyed goals (like Donovan and Eskandarian's from last night; which don't happen every other goal) or they don't watch enough soccer from leagues around the world. For anyone to even begin to call 09 a sim is a joke and from all accounts it doesn't look like the dev team seems to see a problem with what 09 brings to the table.

FIFA 08 saw you having to pick your passes, draw defenders out, and actually build up the play. In 09 the midfield is nonexistent. If that isn't rectified in FIFA 10, along with a whole host of other issues, the only people that are going to find this game good are those who honestly think that all the stepovers and 360s, and rainbow flicks, followed up by volleyed goals from 30 yards out, is what soccer is all about.

[ChaseB]

Sounds like you have an issue with people who just aren't as "hardcore" as you, but either way, talking down to them won't help your cause.

The passing has been slowed down a tick for '10 but the game speed is the same as '09. I think you'll see more types of build ups for '10 since now there are things like curved runs. Also I definitely felt it was easier to contain and play defense on the AI in the middle of the pitch, so maybe that will help you out.

But it sounds like your issues with the game go much deeper, so I doubt this will appease you.