FIFA 11: Preview

In less than two months the FIFA series continues once again, this time with FIFA 11. The developer EA Sports (EA Canada in the case of FIFA) has shown quite some things already about the latest instalment.

 

 

 

 

The key improvement according to the developer will be the players this year. The character models will look even more like their real-life counterparts. There are the main body types from short to tall and then there are the subcategories like bulky or small and agile. The new models are part of the ‘Personality +’ feature. According to the developer the fans thought the players lacked personality. That’s why EA put their emphasis on this part. Another part of the ‘Personality +’ feature is the importance of skills. More than ever the skills of a player will affect the way they pass, shoot, tackle and do other things. Players with high shooting skills will have a much higher chance of hitting the target in a difficult position than players with a low rating. More than ever the skills will be important according to EA. Also part of the new ‘Personality +’ feature will be individual player dribble styles and a new attribute called work rate. The players who run their ass of during the game like the Kuijt’s of this world will have a high work rate and this will be noticeable on the pitch. They come to collect the ball and are moving all the time.

 

One aspect of gameplay that had been chanced big time is the passing. Passing will be much more difficult than in previous FIFA games. The community pointed EA at the ping pong passing gameplay. It means that even when you played with a 3rd division English club you could easily get to the other side of the field by just pressing the pass button al the time. There was almost never a bad pass. Forget that in FIFA 11. Passing will require the right skill, speed and power. Passing will be slower and you have to put more thought in it.

I think they have to chance some jerseys here

 

Then on to one of the things FIFA always tries to improve: the goalkeepers. In FIFA 10 it was way to easy to beat the goalie with a lob. This was already improved in 2010 FIFA World Cup and this will be the same in FIFA 11. It is said that lobs will be even more difficult than in the World Cup game. Also new for the goalkeepers is momentum. Keepers will have to deal with the direction their going and there own weight before making a dive. If their facing the wrong direction they have bad momentum to make a dive the other way.

 

So as you read there are quite some gameplay improvements. Did EA do anything about the game modes you ask? Well, they did. The biggest change will be in the main mode: now named the career mode. This mode includes the Be A Pro mode and the Manager mode from the previous games. The look will be completely different as you can see in the picture below. Also the transfers will work slightly different. You will have to get to an agreement with both the player you want to sign and the club. Also the progress in the career mode won’t be per match, but can also be progressed per day. Important news like a bid for one of your players will show up immediately therefore instead of playing a match first. Also the injuries will be different. Players can get injured outside the match day. In previous FIFA’s players were always injured just one or two matches. In FIFA 11 an injury can also take months.

Career mode

 

Also new is the FIFA Theatre. In the theatre you can save, view and upload replays. Even from games you play online.  Also you can customize team chants. Want to hear Britney Spears in the stadium when you score? It’s possible.

 

A lot of improvements already, but it isn’t even all. Here are some other chances listed:

• This will be the first FIFA with handballs, but it will probably be optional.
• The penalty system of 2010 FIFA World Cup will make it’s way to FIFA 11.
• Shooting from distance will be more difficult.
• FIFA 11 offers a complete Creation Centre were you can create an entire team.
   

FIFA 11 will deliver a lot improvements and it looks like it will be a great football game. The game drops September 28 on Playstation 3, Playstation 2, Xbox 360, PSP and DS. And October 1 on the Wii.