EA Sports outlines improvements in FIFA 10 (2010)

EA Sports has recently announced that its latest installment in the FIFA series is en route to an October release, with vast improvements over the critically acclaimed FIFA 09 of last year.

Including a major overhaul in the Manager Mode which includes 50 tweaks to previous installments, FIFA 10 houses 'core gameplay refinements based on responsiveness and intelligence.'

Andrew Wilson, VP and executive producer for EA's FIFA franchise stated that the development team owed a lot to the fans in terms of ideas for improvement to the already popular series.

'We have benefited from 275 million games played online to refine FIFA 10 in a way that matters most to our fans,' he said.

'We`ve listened and responded to their feedback to improve player control, responsiveness and intelligence and create what we believe is the world`s most authentic football videogame.'

Nearly 60% of the coding has been completed, as of the date of this preview, with release only four months away.

A fact-sheet, which EA graciously released earlier in the month outlines 13 aspects which have been improved thus far:

360 Dribbling- The first-ever true 360 dribbling system in a football game provides finer dribbling control, enabling players to find spaces between defenders that previously were not possible.

Skilled Dribbling- All-new animation warping technology provides unprecedented control. Skilled players now have the ability to face a defender and use highly-responsive lateral dribbling to skip past him.

Freedom in Physical Play- Wider dribble touches and new collision sharing creates a varied, less predictable, and extended fight for possession between the dribbler and a defender.

Player Urgency-Improved urgency AI logic, with over 50 new movement cycles, delivers more responsive positioning so your players stay focused on the ball and move at a speed appropriate to the action.

Improved Trapping Intelligence- Players now have a better awareness of where the easiest, most natural trapping position is so they can get the ball on the ground and under control easier and earlier.

Advanced Positioning- Defenders multi-task and play the pitch more intelligently by covering dangerous spaces left by out-of-position teammates. In attack, players analyze space more effectively, curve their runs to stay onside, create passing lanes and vary attacking options.

More Accurate Passing- Players better analyze space resulting in pinpoint passes that give their receivers more options and time to outrun defensive pressure.

Authentic Shooting- Refinements to the shooting system and modifications of the ball physics create a wider, more realistic variety of shots that enhance the exhilaration of scoring.

Varied Defending Options- Slide Tackle targeting has been enhanced so skilled players have more reach and avoid tackling through the dribbler. Better effort clearance logic gives defenders more options when attempting to get a foot on the ball before an attacker. Effort, such as sliding to block crosses and overhead kick clearances, give defenders more tools to prevent goal-scoring opportunities.

Refined Goalkeeper Intelligence- Numerous improvements mean that goalkeepers now have more urgency and better perception of where to intercept loose balls, resulting in a more responsive and powerful rushing system. New animation warping technology provides game-realistic goalkeeper positioning and momentum, resulting in more varied scoring opportunities.

Manager Mode Authenticity- More than 50 major improvements were designed to create an authentic experience to mimic the real-world game. Match results are based on team and player strengths and weaknesses. Player transfers are determined by multiple decision points, including club finance and prestige, availability of similar players, and competition from AI-controlled clubs. Player development is more realistic with true-to-life growth curves based on factors such as age and environment.

Continuous Gameplay- Maintain the atmosphere, pace, and intensity of a match with quick free kicks and referee carding.

New Practice Arena- Work on individual skills in a fully featured practice mode before stepping on the pitch.

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Release Date: 2nd October 2009 (EU)

Platforms: PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP, and NDS.

Prices:

PS3 - $59.95 (Preorder)

Wii - $49.95 (Preorder)

Nintendo DS - $29.95 (Preorder)

PSP $39.95 - (Preorder)

Xbox 360 - $59.95 (Preorder)

PlayStation 2 - $29.95 (Preorder)

PC Download - $49.95 (Preorder)

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