FSB Podcast Discussion

[WILDSTER180774]

Nice podcast guys. Very well done Tim. Are you two the new Saint and Greavesy
Tim7 Fanclub coming soon......

[NicolasVH]

can we put a request into ruttski for him to post a video showing how fifa 10 should be played on the show floor

I think this post from the official EA forums clears up a lot: http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/fifa ... tions.html

[nani17]

Late but I'm listening

[Chris Davies]

A new podcast has been uploaded!

This week's podcast (CLICK HERE TO LISTEN) consists of a chat with dave797 about what he thinks we may have missed when discussing the game, plus a look at the latest Manager Mode screenshots, "ping-pong passing" and the Chelsea situation.

As always we will read the forums between podcasts and all the best discussions will be given a mention, so if you have anything to say on the subject(s) please let us know. If you agree with us, disagree with us, want to correct us on something, or want to add something that's important, tell us and listen out for a mention next time.

Thanks guys.

[Pes-FiFa]

Regarding day and night. I would care much more about snow, rain etc only if it had effect on the gameplay. Does it have a major effect on the gameplay?

[cgatlan]

Another great podcast, Thanks CD.

I completely agree with you about the Chelsea situation not being included in the game, and as you point out, how far do you take the 'simulation', like with points deductions, or even worse, long term injuries to individual players (or bans). Imagine those players who like Owen Hargreaves, but then couldn't use him for a whole season!

I liked the discussion about stadiums, I was hoping you could touch upon what will happen when you take a smaller club up the leagues in Manager Mode and you upgrade the stadium along the way.. Imagine Ivy Lane used in the Semi Final of the European cup, it's just not authentic. Does Fifa10 have the ability to 'change' stadium when you 'upgrade' it enough? Maybe something for Fifa11 if not.

The ping-pong passing you talked about, I'm very guilty of that type of play, and yes it does get boring. I've played fifa09 to death over the last 5/6 months, but not necessarily in any depth - Only the other week I started learning the controls for more skillful play, I never touched the right stick before that - I wonder how much I've missed out. Now after hearing how I play is perhaps in the majority of those that do play it, I wonder if I started playing the skillful game if it would leave me at a disadvantage - especially as a smaller (less skillful) club. I cannot wait to start changing the way I play with Fifa10 and move away from all this ping-pong passing and 'scripted' ways of scoring.

I do have a question, I've not seen an answer to it yet though. With all the talk about the 'wow' factor when scoring a goal, or even just beating a man and having a really good shot saved, will there be the ability to save a reply to the HD? I don't think I saw the feature on Fifa09 - the only option (that I knew of) was to upload it. The internet connection where I currently live is very very poor (not up to Online play) and uploading replays, while great, is not a viable option for me every time, maybe a choice or upload or save locally would be good.

Anyway, that's all from me (for now ), thanks again for a really enjoyable podcast once again, and keep up the good work. Great to hear from Dave797 too, I was engrossed the entire time.

Cheers

[TheBroad]

Just Having A Listen

[Bravez]

Nice podcast guys. I just want to say that even with manual i think there can be a certain level of individuality for players. I think if you are playing on manual there should till be some sort of leeway with better players, I.e if i im shooting with Gerrard if i have aime 2 degrees left of the goal and with a less skilled players it might hit the post (or a defender going just wide) gerrards should fly in or make the keeper work. Now i know this takes a away slightly from Manual but i dont think it would be amazingly noticable just ever so slightly so that there is that slight diff between the bad good and great.

[Bravez]

Grr cant edit my above post, sorry but just wanted to say on the chelsea matter i think if Chelsea are user controlled then the transfer embargo should not be included, however if they are CPU controlled then they should be able to make transfers. That way chelski fans would still be able to enjoy the game and everyone else get a realistic exp.

[Nanny]

im always so happy that i share the same views as nearly everyone who comes on the podcast, so that means im going to LOOOOVVVVVVVVVVV FIFA 10, very fuckin excited.

[Chris Davies]

Regarding day and night. I would care much more about snow, rain etc only if it had effect on the gameplay. Does it have a major effect on the gameplay?

I didn't notice this to be any different from 09 during the playtest (i.e. the ball will hold up in puddles but I think that's about it). It wasn't the final build though.

I liked the discussion about stadiums, I was hoping you could touch upon what will happen when you take a smaller club up the leagues in Manager Mode and you upgrade the stadium along the way.. Imagine Ivy Lane used in the Semi Final of the European cup, it's just not authentic. Does Fifa10 have the ability to 'change' stadium when you 'upgrade' it enough? Maybe something for Fifa11 if not.

This was something I should have mentioned while we were talking about stadia, but I forgot! You can change your stadium before you start a Manager Mode game, but once you've started your save every team is stuck in the stadium they were assigned to at the start. So no, you can't upgrade your stadium when you reach the Premier League and/or the Champions League, which is a nuisance.

The ping-pong passing you talked about, I'm very guilty of that type of play, and yes it does get boring. I've played fifa09 to death over the last 5/6 months, but not necessarily in any depth - Only the other week I started learning the controls for more skillful play, I never touched the right stick before that - I wonder how much I've missed out. Now after hearing how I play is perhaps in the majority of those that do play it, I wonder if I started playing the skillful game if it would leave me at a disadvantage - especially as a smaller (less skillful) club. I cannot wait to start changing the way I play with Fifa10 and move away from all this ping-pong passing and 'scripted' ways of scoring.

You should try using semi (at least) controls as well, makes a world of difference - and it gives you more control, so it can't be a bad thing. For example, if there's a defender standing between me and the guy I want to pass to, fully assisted controls will put the ball straight to the opponent. On semi, if I lean slightly left/right on the stick, I can guide it around him if the guy I want to pass to is just enough to one side. At the minute I'm switching between fully manual and fully semi (as much as the game allows you to use semi anyway) - semi lets you do short sharp passing whereas manual just doesn't. But the manual controls were better in FIFA 10 so perhaps I'll use manual come October.

I do have a question, I've not seen an answer to it yet though. With all the talk about the 'wow' factor when scoring a goal, or even just beating a man and having a really good shot saved, will there be the ability to save a reply to the HD? I don't think I saw the feature on Fifa09 - the only option (that I knew of) was to upload it. The internet connection where I currently live is very very poor (not up to Online play) and uploading replays, while great, is not a viable option for me every time, maybe a choice or upload or save locally would be good.

You are correct that in FIFA 09 you could only upload replays via the internet, and unfortunately it's the same in FIFA 10. But I've been promised that you will be able to save replays to the hard drive in FIFA 11.

Anyway, that's all from me (for now ), thanks again for a really enjoyable podcast once again, and keep up the good work. Great to hear from Dave797 too, I was engrossed the entire time.

Thank you very much, and thank you for a great first post! And thanks to dave797 as well for contributing to a really good discussion.

Nice podcast guys. I just want to say that even with manual i think there can be a certain level of individuality for players. I think if you are playing on manual there should till be some sort of leeway with better players, I.e if i im shooting with Gerrard if i have aime 2 degrees left of the goal and with a less skilled players it might hit the post (or a defender going just wide) gerrards should fly in or make the keeper work.

That's how it is at the moment, although with very slight margins. If I aim a hair's breadth away from the corner of the net as a Tranmere player, it will go wide, whereas with a Premier League player it will probably go in. The attributes come into account with ALL control methods, but the argument is that they're not taken into account enough (i.e. Mascherano doesn't spoon every single shot over the bar and you don't feel like Messi can beat every man in the world with his dribbling on FIFA 09 - but it'll be interesting to see what people make of him in FIFA 10).

Grr cant edit my above post, sorry but just wanted to say on the chelsea matter i think if Chelsea are user controlled then the transfer embargo should not be included, however if they are CPU controlled then they should be able to make transfers. That way chelski fans would still be able to enjoy the game and everyone else get a realistic exp.

I agree with that but I think the programming that would have to go in to enable it just isn't worth it - and EA will undoubtedly feel the same. If they wanted to delay the game for 2 weeks just to put it in, I would cry myself to sleep every night.

[TheBroad]

A Good PC Their Guys
A Tad Worried About The Day/Night 'Problem'
As A Palace Supporter; I Wouldn't Want To Be Playing A Carling Cup Match In The Day..When It Is Supposed To Be At Night; Like You Expressed; While This Isn't A Game Breaker...It Will Become Very Fustrating.

I Hope They Do Bring Out A DLC To Fix This; Not Quite Sure They Will....But I Hope..

[Nanny]

A Good PC Their Guys
A Tad Worried About The Day/Night 'Problem'
As A Palace Supporter; I Wouldn't Want To Be Playing A Carling Cup Match In The Day..When It Is Supposed To Be At Night; Like You Expressed; While This Isn't A Game Breaker...It Will Become Very Fustrating.

I Hope They Do Bring Out A DLC To Fix This; Not Quite Sure They Will....But I Hope..

Well if we hope loud enough maybe someone will hear us *cough* Rutter *cough*

[dave797]

Hi guys thought I'd better register on here as well as the official EA forums now I've taken my podcast bow hope you all enjoyed it and a big thanks to Chris for getting me envolved.

As far as the Chelsea situation goes I agree with Chris in that Fifa10 is a game and people will want to enjoy playing MM as Chelsea and being able to buy and sell players is a big part of that. So whilst it isn't 100% real I think implementing it would annoy more people than it would please.

[VANBASTEN10]

Good podcast chris and dave! Oh just noticed your gamer face chris very good, did mine yesterday looks life like

[Adam]

Ace podcast Chris and Dave, great stuff guys.

The whole chat about gameplay (especially when Dave spoke about Milan a great deal) has really got me excited for Thursday.

Thanks again!

[Viniero09]

Great podcast Chris... the only question i have is that why don't they allow u guys to take videos when u'll do the play test or have the community meet (Vancouver) coz then we know for sure that u guys (representatives of us - the fans) know what ur doing when ur playing the game rather than have videos games journos and random fans take videos at a gamescom.. It not an either or situation i'm talking about by all means take vids at gamescom but also allow the guys who are providing valuable feedback through various sites to take videos at their playtests too it would be easier as u wont be rushed and u'll have adequate time to highlight important issues..(i hv still to see a good video that domonstrated how effective the skilled dribbling is coz from what i have heard it is one of the definitive features of the game)... surely EA have to look into this as it is a cheap and effective (words that make marketers salivate) way to make sure ur game is being represented accurately .. like u said most of the vids from gamescom look similar to 09.. because of the lack of player ability and time constraints the people have at such events... by doing so we would have seen those crazy (magical) moments u'll are talking about surely that would have got us a lot more exited than most other vids .. and now that we have Mr.Mike Takla over at the forums hope ur reading this Mike...

Also on the chelsea issue what i feel is that while the Manger mode should be realistic it should try to ape reality.. in the sense that it should be a world in itself and before they implement transfer bans and player poaching they should look at loans, player(s) plus cash transfers, ground adboard sponsors, training facilities like those mentioned in the poddys, injuries during training/internation duty, etc first...

[WILDSTER180774]

Great poddy lads. Welcome to FSB Dave! Spot on with the Chelsea conumdrum. As much as i hate them the transfer embargo should not be included.

Chris; please stop talking about that flukey goal you scored against me

[Alan]

Great podcast. A lot I would not agree with(Individuality v. control) but the most important thing of all that I do agree with is the Chelsea scenario.

Personally, I have no love for Chelsea whatsoever, but a line has to drawn under the quest for 'hyper authenticity' somewhere as we need to appreciate that it really is only a videogame, and while sports videogames should try to capture the real sport as best possible, it should also offer escapism from the reality of the sport so why shouldn't a Chelsea fan be able to take themselves away from the reality that there team in real life is subject to the transfer window punishment it currently finds itself.

I personally think that there are many aspects of FIFA's gameplay that although real, simply do not translate well into a videogame, the big one for me in FIFA09 was the collision/physicality as although it is something present in the real game, it was - animation aside - far too frustrating and completely OTT to the point that control felt wrestled from me too often. FIFA08 actually did a better job in understanding that football players are athletes, and pretty resilient and strong on the ball. Now don't get me wrong, there was a lack of physicality overall in 08, but the game was arguably better for it in many respects as the game was more balanced for it and the player didn't have to pre-occupy themselves too much by trifling matters as physicality. I have played football for near on 30yrs at a various levels(but not pro) and despite me being short and stocky I didin't have to think about physicality or body positioning that much, it just came instinctively. I just felt FIFA09 was a little too clumsy for my liking and hope FIFA10 addresses this so that it compliments the rest of the game.

Regards player individuality v. control, I see no reason why both can not be very apparent and pronounced at that. Again I go back to FIFA08 and it's inclusion of special abilitiies such as 'Heel Passer' and 'Playmaker' for example. Why EA removed these from 09 I will never know as playing 08 for pretty much the entirety of last weekend I experienced more moments of individuality in that few days than I did in a years FIFA09 play.

I can appreciate that manual control does suggest the need for the human player to be more skilled, but this shouldn't mean the player who you have control of is completely subject to your level of skill entirely. I am thinking about passing in particular here. Sure the human player would be required to place the ball accurately and judge speed in the same way, but if I have a player like Xavi under my control for example, I want to feel that it is him passing and this could be done by the game understanding that a player like Xavi can play all kinds of passes at all kinds of angles, so blind passes or passes made that are not exactly in the direction he is facing will be executed that little more instinctively and rapidly. He doesn't have to turn and face the direction he is passing in order to play the ball accurately because he is Xavi. Likewise his success rate at first touch passes should be higher than that of a mere mortal, especially in tight situations, when he is 'playing blind' and also when he looks to execute a first time long ball.

With a player like Messi or Ronaldinho, you can capture individuality in the dribble by having the ball not travel so far away from between touches, or enabling them to turn back on themselves with the ball close to there feet. I hate that in FIFA - quick, sharp changes of direction being rewarded with a clumsy touch by the player and a somewhat silly animation of them adjusting and chasing the ball. Great players touch with there turns, and can do so at relatively high speed too such is there skill. I'm not taliking 90degree sprinting turns exactly, but even then a Messi can do this pretty well as his centre of gravity coupled with his agility and skill on the ball is what makes him stand out. PES was flawed in many respects regards this, but it did get the 'feel' of these players dribble accuracy and speed down excellently.

[dave797]

Ace podcast Chris and Dave, great stuff guys.

The whole chat about gameplay (especially when Dave spoke about Milan a great deal) has really got me excited for Thursday.

Thanks again!

Lol well AC Milan were wicked in the build we played, the lighting and shadows in the San Siro are superb as well, you'll have to hold on a bit longer than thurs for that though