12.08.2013

FIFA 14 next gen preview




With the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 due to arrive next month, Nick Akerman goes hands-on with the next generation version of the world’s favourite football video game and talks to the man tasked with taking advantage of the new technology.



Formats: Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Developer: EA Canada
Publisher: EA Sports
Released: 22 November (Xbox One), 29 November (PlayStation 4)

FIFA 14 has scored its most important goal before even heading onto the next-gen pitch. EA Canada’s handshake with Microsoft ensures anyone who purchases the Xbox One Day One Edition will receive a digital version of the football sim, while those trading in their current generation copy at GAME can make the transition for the enticing sum of £10.
These are remarkably confident agreements, especially when you consider the current-gen version’s first week sales trail last year’s by 24%. With Pro Evolution Soccer yet to signal its next-gen intent, FIFA 14 is in the enviable position of strutting onto the shiniest field console gaming has ever produced without an opponent.
Even so, EA isn’t about to switch from attacking tactics. I spoke to producer Nick Channon at a recent hands-on in Guildford, a meeting that concluded the studio’s whistle-stop promotional tour around Europe. Maintaining his enthusiasm after a hectic schedule, Channon described the team’s expectations and sense of accomplishment as FIFA 14 warms up for next-gen release.
“This year we had pretty lofty ambitions with the game and I think we’ve achieved pretty much all of them,” Channon said. “It’s a real challenge to bring the game to a new console, you’re developing a game while the machine is being developed at the same time. It’s a challenge, but a really fun challenge, which is what we look for as developers.






This challenge extends to the current-gen title. FIFA 14’s initial release was met with cries of discontent from players whose experience has been spoiled by gameplay discrepancies such as overpowered headers, deadly finesse shots and alarmingly accurate through balls.
Channon explains that, while changes have been made to the game that is already available, these alterations have also been applied to the next-gen launch product. “We made changes to the HD version in the last week with the patch coming out, we’ve balanced that, but that’s something we wanted to make sure was balanced here as well.”
While I believe the current-gen FIFA 14’s recent update fails to sufficiently address aforementioned problems within the game—most prominently, the difficulty of defending corners—it’s encouraging that many of the current title’s frustrating inconsistencies are overcome in its technologically advanced brethren. Graphical prowess is obviously galvanised, but it’s a conglomeration of subtle tweaks that make FIFA 14 next-gen worth getting excited for.
Channon pinpointed the addition of “Human Intelligence” in his presentation before the hands-on. This is designed to ensure your team react realistically, show awareness of developing situations and anticipate phases of play before they unfold. Minor occurrences—such as being able to shift your weight and ride incoming tackles—utilise the Xbox One and PlayStation 4’s additional memory to ensure a greater variety of animations.
As summarised by Channon, FIFA 14 on the current-gen has reached full capacity in this respect. Animations now follow a one-in-one-out model, limiting the uniqueness of each match. Putting claims of abundant animation and improved physicality to the test, it’s immediately clear that corners are no longer stacked in favour of the attacking team. Channon provided an explanation, “Now we’ve got multiple players going for the ball there’s situations where there’s a couple of defenders going up, so there’s more chance—maybe you’ve got one in front and one behind—of clearing the ball.





The implementation of such micro enhancements is exactly what FIFA 14 needs. After all, football fans across the globe have the opportunity to scour in-depth stats and real-world analysis at the touch of a button. Tiny tactical details—such as Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho’s decision to deploy a “False 9” against Man Utd at Old Trafford recently—have become big news. Channon knows this and suggests building a greater strategic scope is high on EA’s list of priorities. “The feedback we’ve been given [about last year’s game] was that everyone was relying completely on sprinting, and ultimately, that’s not football. Football is building play, spreading play, switching play, that’s why we’ve added a lot of the animations to gen-four.
“We want you to think differently and create goals in different ways,” Channon continued. “People would start to score goals in the same way, but now we allow you to build games up and look at different ways to score. When you play online you come up against opponents who are doing those things, so you have to adapt. That was definitely the reason for making the change. That was the goal for the game. You can still use pace, you can still use sprint, but you can’t rely on it completely.”
Channon’s assertion will have those who favour possession-based football rejoicing. Intricate short passes allow you to patiently open space, while quickening play gives your team the ability to notch an inter-linking goal in the style of Jack Wilshere’s recent strike against Norwich. Now multiple individuals can challenge for the ball at the same time, switching play is a useful tool and not a novelty that is quickly forgotten.
Sending a fast-paced pass across the ground is met with sprays of water in rainy conditions, while grass flicks up off the turf and settles elsewhere. Each encounter runs without interruption—players fetch the ball and carry it to where set pieces should be taken—alongside an array of highlights that pinpoint key moves, great tackles and reactions. With over 100 cameras ready to pick up the action, including the wired Skycam that appears in major competition finals, presentation mimics TV broadcasts with an authenticity that outweighs anything the series has conjured up before.







As I got used to playing with a default camera that is positioned lower and closer to the pitch, a design choice which emphasises the fully 3D crowd, Channon confirmed EA’s conscious attempt at modifying FIFA 14’s next-gen display. “One of the things we wanted to do was to rework presentation. We ended up rewriting it. We felt scripted NIS isn’t a next-gen thing. Having the ability to be more dynamic, having the ability where the AI runs it is really something you can only do on next-gen. We wanted to take the opportunity to do it.”
Such a thoughtful, considered approach is echoed on the pitch with gameplay that challenges you to imprint your own personality. Subtle changes elevate possibilities and force a consideration of exactly what next-gen consoles can achieve once full power is harnessed. For Channon, attention remains focused on a title that has cruised through development without a major hitch.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, but we have a very talented team. I know it’s not news, but there’s not been a lot that has stumped us,” he joked. “I don’t think there’s anything particular we missed, or that we just couldn’t get in, we’ve very pleased with how the game has finished up. It feels very different to the current-gen.






FIFA 14 has the opportunity to make a lasting impression on those taking the next-gen leap, something it has certainly achieved with myself. Considering Pro Evolution Soccer’s absence and upcoming console deals that feverishly promote EA’s game, it’s the kind of transition that echoes Gareth Bale’s transfer to Real Madrid. Just like the Welsh Wizard’s ability to sell shirts, FIFA 14 will shift a significant amount of units, and upon first inspection, is also ready to net a debut goal in its new home.


No comments:

Post a Comment

VPN App and VPN Plugin

Why a VPN app is always better than a VPN plugin If you want to use the internet privately and securely, then you need a VPN. But with a...