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[img]http://media.pcgamer.com/files/2011/05/Fifa-12-screenshot-1.jpg [/img][img]http://media.pcgamer.com/files/2011/05/Fifa-12-screenshot-2.jpg [/img] [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
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[size="12"]FIFA 11 has sold over three million copies in the UK alone - out performing its nearest rival, PES, by almost 10:1.

We caught up with FIFA Creative Director Gary Paterson, Scottish ex-pat and Aberdeen fan, to learn about how EA approached FIFA 11, where they felt it succeeded - or failed - and what lessons can be learned for the inevitable announcement of FIFA 12, with expectations higher than ever...

Have you been surprised by the success of FIFA 11?

I don't know about surprised, but we were definitely nervous following FIFA 10. When you're on top it's a different challenge, and I think it's going to stay that way.


We purposefully went a little bit more hardcore - trying to get (players) to think about how you play. But then there's the silent majority who probably just want to pick it up, play, and have fun, and I think some of the reviews reflected that.

Did reviewers get what it was trying to do?

Some did, some didn't. I think our feature execution was strong, but not enough for some. That's the challenge. The features were there to alleviate the hardcore players' concerns, but we couldn't go far enough - not as far as we wanted - because we didn't want to alienate the vast majority.

How do we get around this?

We worked quite closely with the community last year, and 35 or so of them came here last April to play early versions of the game, and give feedback.

They email us back and forth, we're on the forums speaking to them. We're trying to go as far as we can in the direction they're looking for. But the vast majority want to fulfill football dreams.

Say Arsenal got beat 3-2 by Tottenham - you might want to reverse that scoreline. You don't want to sit there and learn how to play for ten hours before you can suss it out.

What were the hardcore players' main
concerns?

The two main areas - bar bugs and minor exploits, which we're on top of - are what they call 'ping-pong' passing, and high pressure. So if you play online a lot - the really good players will pass, pass, pass and when they defend, they'll just be high pressure and sprinting at you the whole time.

So the pressure's too strong, fatigue isn't strong enough, passing is too easy. We changed the fatigue model and I think we've got some success, but not as much as the hardcore want.

We also added pro-passing with more contextual error and attribute affects. We made some progress, but some ideas didn't make it. Like changing defending to be less easy, and more tactical. Again, we have to make a game for everyone. That's the challenge for us.


How have people reacted to the Personality Plus system?

Mixed. I think some people saw the value, other people - especially the hardcore - wanted us to go further.

I think with Personality Plus we could have backed it up with more visual cues for what we're doing because there's a lot of stuff that happens under the hood.

We had a database during development that listed all the effects of all the attributes, and it was really, really long - I think the visual cues, or maybe the commentary cues, just wasn't there. We needed that to convince more people that it was actually doing something.

So how do you 'fix' it?

You could have Andy Gray comment on something you did, like, 'he was obviously trying to find that hole but...' for a through ball or killer pass that went awry.

We could also use replays - show some information about what was supposed to happen and how that went wrong. It's a tricky one, but that's the one area I think PES gets the benefit of the doubt, and we don't tend to.

The challenge is we've got almost 700 teams. There's a vast gambit of attributes that we have to deal with compared to PES. And so sometimes those affects will be subtler than they appear in PES but the attribute range is greater for us.

How does the critical and commercial success shape your thinking for FIFA 12?

It's a huge challenge. Do we change it up? Fundamentally change how you defend? Or shoot or pass?

This year we might have 8.5 million users or so who know what they're playing and they enjoy that.

If we mix it up and say 'there is no pressure button', how are people going to be able to defend?

How can you add to the atmosphere in career mode?


I feel like gameplay's getting harder and harder to improve on... and I think 'match day atmosphere' is something we need to invest in.

(We tell Gary how we invent 'stories' for our players in PES Master League). I think the idea of creating stories through the year is something we're very interested in as well.

It's about creating a football world you immerse yourself in, things like, you know, the Rooney story (his contract wrangle that dominated the media last year), is definitely interesting for us.

Things to do while transfer window's closed is certainly something that we're looking at.[/size]

EA Sports' FIFA 12 is set to finally be revealed next month.

That's according to the next month page of the new Official Xbox Magazine UK, which promises a full reveal in its next issue, which is on sale on May 9.


It'll be the first time the public's heard proper gameplay details on the new instalment, following comments from the developer itself suggesting that AI and set-pieces will bet two of the areas it will look to improve on in FIFA 12.

Player stories and match-day atmosphere were added to that list by EA Sports earlier this year.

An EA Linkedin page has suggested that the new FIFA game will be released on NGP and 3DS.[/size]

EA Sports is hard at work on FIFA 12, and has detailed some of the improvements you can expect to see when the game releases later this year.

Despite huge critical celebration of FIFA 11, EA Canada producer (and Brit ex-pat) David Rutter has promised that the studio isn't resting on its laurels for the next game in the series.


The producer told the latest issue of OPM UK that EA has an "enormous shopping list" of improvements it wishes to make in its new game - and specified a few areas that the studio's already working on.

"I think we did a great job with the Personality Plus feature [in FIFA 11," he said, "but the the teams [AI] doesn't support that quite as much as it should.

"As an example, a team doesn't spot that if Peter Crouch in the area, they can lay a load of high balls onto his head."

Rutter also revealed that set pieces are getting a complete overhaul, and that EA isn't happy with interruptive in-game loading screens.

"Set-pieces are still a bit lame," he candidly admitted. "I get frustrated by not being able to do quick throw-ins, not being able to quickly select my free-kick takers, on the fly stuff. We're somewhat last-gen in the way the game cuts [before those things]."

Rutter also commented on where the FIFA series is headed in more thematic terms - addressing the developer's wish to add more "soul" into proceedings.

"Those moments where you take one [player] tpo his old club and the boo boys come out, or his old team are more aggressive in the tackle towards him. SO you think: 'Wow! FIFA understands not just the game of football, but the sport and passion behind it'."
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While it was quite obvious an EA employee has revealed that EA is developing FIFA 12 for the NGP (PSP2).
A software engineer from EA, Juan Jos Galera Prez, has added a few titles that he is currently working on, to his Linkedin profile. Three games are on the list (which is below) but it is FIFA 12 which is listed as on Sonys Next Generation Portable.
Working on:
- FIFA12 (X360, PS3, PS2, PSP, PSP2, PC, Wii, NDS, N3DS), European and Asian SKU
- Shadow of the Damned (X360, PS3)
- Burnout Crash (X360, PS3)

- FIFA 12 introduces the 'Impact Engine' which properly tracks and formulates contact between players, including their hips, knees etc.

- The AI will also keep track of areas of the body players have been injured during a match. Players can also become injured off the ball if abused too much, especially late in the game.

- FIFA 12 also introduces 'AI Vision Game' (rough translation), which promises to make passing more realistic. If you try to complete a pass to a player that's not within visible range, for example, it's less likely you'll complete the pass. EA hopes this will get rid of "blind passing".

- Personality Plus is more developed and should influence AI players' passes this time.

- AI is said to be "more human", with each player acting more or less according to his abilities. One example given is when an AI player sees Fabregas coming towards him with the ball, he'll act more carefully.

- OPM describes "new presentation" of matches in FIFA 12, which are said to be very much inspired by English football crowds.

- The game includes three new arenas, this time with integrated benches along the sidelines and "impressive lighting effects" according to OPM France.

- Integration of a new short dribble with the left stick.

- The game features a new camera that's noticeably closer to the ground.

- There's also a new menu interface that appears to be simpler and more ergonomic than before.
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"The Nintendo 3DS version of FIFA 12 is set to utilise touch screen controls, and premiere 3D Street Football. This is the first time EA Sports has included features like this on a handheld device. The 3DS version will also incorporate some additional extras we will take a look at.

FIFA 12 on the 3DS will offer 8 different game modes, including the brand new 3D Street Football mode. Street Football will be played 5 on 5, and incorporates a lower camera view to maximise depth of field. The touch screen controls allow you to tailor your shot from start to finish from the players viewpoint. We will leave you with a few words from Matt Prior, Producer for FIFA 12 on Nintendo 3DS:
We challenged our development team to develop innovative features that would maximise the FIFA experience on 3DS. They delivered intuitive new touch screen controls and a curved pitch in our Street mode that truly brings the 3D elements to life. When you combine these features and many other innovations with all the authentic players and kits for the upcoming season, we are confident that this will be the best football game available on Nintendo 3DS.

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FIFA is the biggest selling sports video game franchise in the world - and the 2011 update shifting in excess of 11million copies.
In less than 12 months since its launch, there have been enough games played online to fill 15,000 years - an incredible ten billion seconds!
It's little wonder that the next instalment is so eagerly anticipated...
And it doesn't disappoint, with widespread changes that make the seemingly flawless 2011 edition look almost pre-historic.
Last year, the title made it very easy to defend - with no skill involved, other than holding down the 'press' button.
This lazy tactic will be replaced by 'tactical defending', which finally introduces an element of art to protecting your goalkeeper.
Now you have to jockey your man and bide your time before making your move. It's all about timing and accuracy, rather than your player making an assisted beeline for the man in possession.
Attacking, too, has altered.
In line with the more realistic defensive approach, dribbling has also been overhauled - with closer control, the ability to genuinely hold up the ball and to buy yourself space.
Something that has been sorely lacking in previous titles - now your Drogba-type forwards can use their strength to create time and space going forward.
One-on-ones are a whole new ballgame - with skill and tactical nous the ultimate winner.
The crown in the trinity of changes, though, is the new 'Impact Engine' - removing awkward collisions with rogue limbs passing through opposition players.
Now, momentum is king.
The Pro Player Intelligence introduced last year has been updated spectacularly, with key player characteristics now making CPU teams actual opponents.
It also places emphasis on individual players' specific capabilities.
Peter Crouch prompts his team-mates to play wide and produce crosses; Xavi's vision encourages Barcelona forwards to make runs; Fernando Torres has an incredible ability to slice his efforts wide...
OK, so the last one was a joke, but you get the picture.
Such simple, almost innocuous changes - but the game has been revolutionised.
And it's just what football fans would want.
We can derive satisfaction from beating our man with a canny turn or touch, or equally revel in a perfectly timed challenge.
Somehow, EA Sports have been able to highlight major areas to alter - and have thrown their game into a whole new generation.
If you're a regular FIFA player, it'll take some time to adjust to the all-new game.
But you'll love it.
Simply, the greatest football game ever made.

This video, is really good, it explains their 'trinity'.
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E3 Presentation

The EA E3 press conference will include first live demos of BATTLEFIELD 3, MASS EFFECT 3, SSX, NEED FOR SPEED: THE RUN, FIFA and more.

Though, I don't believe this as it's from another forum with no source. On there it goes onto say about how a FIFA 12 Demo will be released in 14 days or so.

EA has today revealed some new details and screenshots for FIFA 12.
The details go over the improvements made to different aspects of the game including presentation, AI, dribbling, injuries and animations.
As well as this EA also released two new screenshots for the game which can be found below.
- Player Impact Engine Two years in development, the new physics engine is built to deliver real-world physicality in every interaction on the pitch. Experience an infinite variety of natural and believable outcomes in every contact. Players feel more resilient on the ball, push and pull during the fight for possession, and recover from light challenges more easily, preserving their natural momentum.
- Precision Dribbling Enjoy new ways to take on opponents, more time on the ball to make decisions, and complete control of the pace of the game. Utilize close dribble touches in tight spaces, on the wings, and even while fending off an opponent.
- Tactical Defending Innovations in attack are balanced by a re-designed defending mechanism. Defending is now as strategic as attacking with all-new Tactical Defending, which fundamentally changes the approach to defending by placing equal importance on positioning, intercepting passes and tackling.Tactics and timing are crucial.
- True Injuries The Player Impact Engine monitors contact between players in real-time, analyzing the force of the collision and impact on the body to detect real injuries, creating a deeper more challenging Career Mode. Manage new types of injuries and the risk of sending a player onto the pitch who isnt fully healed.
- Pro Player Intelligence CPU players have been infused with self-awareness and aptitude, enabling them to make decisions based on their own skills as well as the strengths and attributes of their teammates. Players who possess exceptional vision, for example, will see opportunities for through balls that other players wont. Real Madrids Kak will be more likelyand quickerto pick out a run from a teammate farther away than a player with poorer vision. Additionally, teams will vary their attack based on the strengths of their players on the pitch, and the weaknesses of opposing players, creating a more authentic experience and greater variety of matches.
- New Presentation Matches now have a real-world broadcast look and feel. Dramatically improved lighting, more authentic crowds, and a new default camera make every game feel special.
- Easier Navigation Redesigned menu system for fast and easy navigation, featuring customizable Main Menu based on arena player, Virtual Pro and favorite club.
- Complete Authenticity Over 500 officially licensed clubs and more than 15,000

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So FIFA 12 is being released 30/09/11

EA Sports' Matt Bilbey has just announced FIFA 12 'Football Club' at the publisher's E3 press conference.

It's a social mode that allows FIFA fans to connect, compete and compare their progress against other players around the world.

Everything players do will push the team they support to the top of the virtual league, EA says. The free mode kicks off with FIFA 12 on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 and will eventually spread to all FIFA iterations.

EA explained in a press release: "EA Sports Football Club creates a new social experience where fans can connect and compete with their friends and millions of other fans playing FIFA Soccer 12, where status, bragging rights and progression are all measured and ever-changing.

"For the first time ever, everything that happens within EA Sports FIFA Soccer 12-and against friends-is measured in a meaningful way. Every match matters, all season long. Earn experience points and level up to build your status. Track friends, challenges and status through the web at easportsfootball.com. Share and compare accomplishments and spread the news on social channels like Facebook.

"EA Sports Football Club also ignites the passion of sports fans and deepens their connection to their favourite team through Support Your Club, a central experience in EA Sports Football Club that enables fans to represent their club and compete against rival clubs in everything they do in FIFA Soccer 12. Earn club points and lift your club higher in the Support Your Club League Tables or help them avoid relegation. Virtual league tables are reset each week to create new challenges, renewed rivalries, and fresh storylines.

"Fans will be more closely connected to the sport than ever before. Real-world storylines will drive content in EA Sports Football Club, making the game feel fresh and new all the time. Gamers will relive crucial real-world soccer events through regular challenges. EA Sports Football Club will have a dedicated team deliver new content and challenges so that FIFA Soccer 12 will look, feel and play like the real-world season."


This info was revealed at EA's E3 launch today. he did mention that other things were to come, but this was the biggest reveal, fifa related.

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Just got an E-Mail from a mate who's a journo. Thought you may like a read.

"I went covering E3 this year and managed to play PES 2012 and FIFA 12. I thought that PES11 was s far superior game to FIFA 11 offline. Pleased to report that PES12 is shaping up as the best ever game. The game has built upon the foundations that PES11 laid, the offline experience is far superior to FIFA12, the AI is superb and Konami have sorted out all the niggles from PES11. Konami are so confident about their game that they will be releasing a BETA demo soon.

FIFA 12 is also a better game but unfortunately the poor AI has not been sorted out, so offline it will again be a very poor experience, so you are just as likley to suffer poor goals from crosses, balls hammerd down the pitch and pass backs. The new impact engine is very good, it needs to be toned down a little but it does add a new dimension. I would say at this stage that online FIFA 12 is superior to PES12. But if you are like to play offline then PES12 is far superior."

[ Register or Signin to view external links. ] - 44.99 Free delivery
Pre-order FIFA 12 from Play.com and receive 18 Gold packs (3 packs per month for 6 months) to build your dream club in FIFA 12 Ultimate Team

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Score a goal this year with FIFA 12: Ultimate Edition on Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 and receive 24 Gold Packs (4 packs per month for 6 months) to build your dream club.

Game and GameStation both say 24 gold packs, 4 every month ASDA and Zavvi, say 18 gold packs

Rumour - HMV may also be doing a free year of live season, I can't find any info on this yet though.

Due for release on 30 September 2011.
Looks like UT may be on the disc?

Andy Gray has been dropped. FIFA won't be the same.

It's out with the old super sexist and in with the new as FIFA 12 turfs out Andy Gray and bring in ex-Arsenal player, Alan Smith to provide the commentary with FIFA stalwart, Martin Tyler. We managed to capture the dynamic duo spitting some brand-spanking new commentary that will eventually be featured in FIFA 12, which is out in September.

Listen out for colourful chatter about upcoming transfers that will be threaded through the new career mode (more on this very soon) and quite an off-kilter segue into talk about the movie, Spaceballs. Anyway, enough words, let's hear the men go at it...

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Live season is going to be free in FIFA 12, most likely only one league free like in FIFA 09 although we may be able to have all leagues free since in the statement below rutter said "entirely free" so that could mean all leagues free. Be prepared to face an overpowered live season Madrid team in every H2H game.

"Not career mode related but Rutter announced that Live Season will be entirely free this year. EA Sports Football Clubs is not limited to Live Season teams. You can pick every team that is available in FIFA which sounds great."

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[/center][left]
[/left][left]Here is some news many of you FIFA fanatics will have been waiting a long time to hear and that is news of the FIFA 12 demo. Unfortunately we do not know of the exact release date for the first taste of this years installment of the hotly anticipated football game, however we do have the next best thing, news that EA has revealed they will announce the demo date at GamesCom 2011 next week.When it comes to videogame build up the industry gets a little loco as rumors explode and teasers, screens and detail reveals are sought after before the release of a hotly anticipated game. EA has been fairly kind to the FIFA fans so far and we have been doing our best to keep up with the information the publisher has released so far. The news of the announcement comes via a tweetwhich EA Sports posted this week which read; When will we announce the demo date for FIFA 12? At GamesCom next week!

GamesCom is one of the largest annual videogame events in the world and this year it will be taking place in Cologne, Germany. This is one of the most perfect places the announcement about the demo could have occurred in as this country is one of the biggest footballing nations across the globe. It is home to one of the most watched and wealthiest leagues in the world, the Bundesliga, and the national team has won the FIFA World Cup three times.

Meanwhile we recently brought you yet more news regarding FIFA 12, this time it was about the new EA Season Ticket, a purchasable service that allows exclusive premium benefits leading to a better gameplay experience. Although we only have details of the FIFA 12 benefits, it will also provide benefits for other EA Sports titles such as Madden and Tiger Woods. Check out the link above for more details.
[/left][left]

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[/left][center][size="3"][url="http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/08/08/fifa-12-demo-date-announcement-promised-at-gamescom-next-week/"]Source[/url][/size][/center][left]

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[/left][left]
[/left][left]

[quote name='Bongmantv' timestamp='1310470820' post='3954556']
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[/quote]

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New trailer.



One minute in you can see the new FUT cards.

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Demo is out 13th September.

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FIFA 12 Alpha

Visuals

BigZombieMonkey Spike Chapman

• Faces of both Arsenal and Chelsea look great and injuries seem to be pretty good too #FIFA12 still some bugs but this is pre-alpha
  Dave797
  
• New Kit selection is epic! Full player models now instead of just kit graphics. #FIFA12
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• First of all new intro to the game. First clip shows select player celebrating and warming up, then shows teams in tunnel. #FIFA12
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• Emirates Stadium has a lower swinging camera compared to Stamford Bridge, very nice #FIFA12
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• OMG! Seamless throwin's! No cutscene! ball goes out, you chase it, pick up and throw! Even throw from way behind the line! #FIFA12
  Dave797 Dave Bryant
  
• Haha players now kick the ball back to the opposition after fouls/injuries. Lovely cosmetic touch. #FIFA12
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• Yeh, day time graphics are special. really impressed with the new filter #FIFA12
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• player rating screens after the game have real life pictures of players! Nice touch! #FIFA12
  
• Dribbling
  leemeadowcroft Lee Meadowcroft
  
• #fifa12 dribbling is a much more powerful tool though seems inconsistent, early build though
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• Dribbling = Win. Very similar to PES in terms of close control. Massive difference from FIFA 11. Impressive animation! Messi = God! #FIFA12
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• Dribbling is so different, and so many context animations too. Love it.
  
  

Shooting

Dave797 Dave Bryant

• Shooting is much heavier now. Which I for one love. Power bar now divided in to four chambers instead of 3. #FIFA12
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• Wow to the shooting! Brand new ball physics guys! Finally...low hard crackers! #FIFA12
  tem1985 Tom Mills
  
• First thought, Shooting feels WAY better.
  

Injuries/Impact Engine

leemeadowcroft Lee Meadowcroft

• #fifa12 impact engine very good when it works but lots of work needed to make it work properly and consistently!
  Dave797 Dave Bryant
  
• Impact Engine is wonderful when it works but there some glaring issues at times. Obviously early but needs a mention. #FIFA12
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• Seeing some ugly moments with impact engine. Like players reacting like a bomb has gone off over little things. Still early though #FIFA12
  tem1985 Tom Mills
  
• Dribbling feels really tight. Impact engine is hit and miss. Just beat @Dave797 #FIFA12
  Suffwan Suffwan Eltom
  
• Impact engine looks good. Almost Backbreaker-esque. Tackling and defending harder this year.
  Dave797 Dave Bryant
  
• Amazing. Just had Walcott pull up mid run with a muscle injury. Extra time and he was scythed by Lampard earlier. sweet! #FIFA12
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• First OMG moment! Player down injured. Ref stops play AFTER a few seconds. Sub him off. Restart, drop ball, and player kicks back to keeper!
  tem1985 Tom Mills
  
• First player injure themselves with a muscle strain in game. Looks sick! #FIFA12
  

AI

leemeadowcroft Lee Meadowcroft

• #fifa12 CPU still insanely pressurising on Legendary!
  leemeadowcroft Lee Meadowcroft
  
• #fifa12 tactical dribbling is a great change 1v1 but seems to play into the CPU's hands in 1vCPU
  leemeadowcroft Lee Meadowcroft
  
• #fifa12 team mate AI appears mostly unchanged, very static, needs more work
  Dave797 Dave Bryant
  
• My biggest issue with the AI is the off the ball movement. Can be quite static at times. #FIFA12
  Xaor Xaor
  
• @adamneaves There are some AI improvements, but clear and recurrent massive issues with defensive positioning etc.
  Xaor Xaor
  
• #fifa12 Defending much better. AI, momentum/inertia... still really problematic.
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• defensive AI still same issues right now. #FIFA12
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• Player individuality is improved to an extent, but more in dribbling now. Saying that, just got ripped apart by Terry v AI...#FIFA12
  

Tactical Defending

BigZombieMonkey Spike Chapman

• Second man press is now "second man contain" which is R1/RB #FIFA12
  Dave797 Dave Bryant
  
• Getting to grips with the Tactical Defending takes time. Where and when to use it is the key. #FIFA12
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• Really unsure about defensive system. Similar to PES 2011, in everything including where it needed improving...#FIFA12
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• defense system is takin time getting used to. X/A is contain, stops you from tackling. O/B is now the tackle button. not intuitive #FIFA12
  

General

BigZombieMonkey

• Videos we are watching will be coming your way soon #FIFA12
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• So played single player. Early build, but nothing great right now. New dribbling means you can evade more, but still samey #FIFA12
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• Biggest thing to say is that the game is still FIFA. I mean no revolution. Key awesome improvements in areas, but it's still FIFA. #FIFA12
  Adam_Bhatti Adam Bhatti
  
• no people worrying about change need not to, it's still that game the majority love #FIFA12
  Dave797 Dave Bryant
  
• There are problems though, it's far from "perfect" saving that detail for my full impressions though. #FIFA12
  SweetpatchTV Sweetpatch TV
  
• Lunch break - #FIFA12 morning assessment - definitely moving in the right direction with new concepts - lots more work to do but good WIP
  

• New Kit selection is epic! Full player models now instead of just kit graphics
  
• Quick Throw-Ins
  
• players now kick the ball back to the opposition after fouls/injuries
  
• Shooting is much heavier now. Which I for one love. Power bar now divided in to four chambers instead of 3.
  
• Brand new ball physics guys! Finally...low hard crackers!
  
• First thought, Shooting feels WAY better.
  
• Player down injured. Ref stops play AFTER a few seconds. Sub him off. Restart, drop ball, and player kicks back to keeper!
  
• player injure themselves with a muscle strain in game
  
• CPU is better
  
• Second man press is now "second man contain" which is R1/RB istead of holding B
  
• defense system is takin time getting used to. A is contain, stops you from tackling. B is now the tackle button.
  
• Dribbling and Shooting is alot better
  

8 Way Technology:

• PSG
  
• Marseille
  
• Newcastle United
  
• The German National Team
  
• Vancouver Whitecaps
  
• Manchester City
  
• Aston Villa
  
• Feyenoord
  

Chat, Friday 19th August at 2:30PM BST.

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HEAD TO HEAD SEASONS

The first big thing I want to talk about for online in FIFA 12 is Head to Head Seasons. Traditionally, all sports games offer ranked quick matches, where skill points are awarded and users are ranked on a leaderboard. Outside of the top 100 users in the world, this type of online gameplay doesnt feel very persistent, fun, or football. 2010 FIFA World Cup made a strong effort to change this model, and now FIFA 12 has taken it to the next level.

Seasons
Head to Head Seasons focuses on you, your season, and your division. There are 10 divisions to progress through, with 10 games per season to try to get promoted (and avoid relegation). Points are simple: 3 points for a win, and 1 for a draw; every game without points hurts your campaign.

Weve also made an effort to balance the path to Division 1. In Division 10, where everyone starts out, you only need 12 points to be promoted to Division 9. For many of you, this will only take four games, but as you move up, the promotion thresholds get tougher and tougher. For the best of you that can reach Division 1, the goal is to win the League Title and earn your trophy. At points along your seasons, the commentators will even discuss your recent performances and your current campaign.

To see how your division placement compares to the entire FIFA community, check out our World Table screen which shows how many people currently occupy each division. Its a great way to visualize your skill in FIFA in a way that a leaderboard rank just cant do.

Flow
Creating this new mode gave us a chance to really revolutionize how you play online as well.

Traditionally, we find you an opponent and let you figure out the clubs you want to use, and then finally you adjust your lineup and tactics before the match starts. Of course this usually results in the 5-star dance where even if you want to use Portsmouth, you are forced to pick Chelsea to battle on even ground with the inevitable Real or Barca selection from your opponent.

In FIFA 12 you pick your club, kit and lineup changes first before searching. For all you manual fiends out there, during pre-search you can also choose Any or Manual if you want to guarantee another manual user. When you choose to search, we take your Division, skill, location, controls, DNF % (essentially how often you rage quit), and Club star level to find an ideal opponent and take you straight into a match. We even make sure you see the kit you chose and prevent kit clashing in the game. This means Mr. Humber can use his beloved Pompey in Seasons without fear of being crushed by a 5-star club, and instead focus on the Southamptons of the world.

Cups
Similar to real life, Seasons features key cups with entry based on your division. There are four cups total, starting with the EA Shield for the lower divisions, up to the Premier Cup for Divisions 1 and 2. The cup window will open up every few weeks for a few days of frenzied action to determine who can earn silverware in four-round dynamic tournaments.

Your Season Hub will show you when the cup window is opening or closing, as well as your best cup finish and silverware. Of course we have full leaderboards to see the stats, trophies, and titles for you, your friends, and the top players in the world.

ONLINE FRIENDLIES

Of course, despite the popularity of ranked play online, a big part of FIFA is playing friends. Personally, I had many friendlies in FIFA 11 online that provided me some of my favorite moments with the game with nothing to show for it.

Not so in FIFA 12! We had a simple concept: Provide a quick and easy way to play friends online, but track the results and make it feel like football.

In the Hub your friends list appears on the left. Select a friend, choose your settings, and play. The beauty of the mode is every game versus a friend becomes a season. Similar to Head to Head Seasons, you have 10 games, with the goal of ending with more points than your friend. If the points are tied in the 10th match, we even go down to the detail of goal difference to make the experience authentic. There is nothing quite like final win against a friend with your favorite club hoisting the trophy at the end of the match.

After a season, your next match automatically starts Season 2, so you can get started defending or retaining the trophy. The commentary team even talk about the status of your season to make it feel even more real and authentic. Play as many friends as you want, as many times as you want, and easily see the status of all your seasons in the Hub and leaderboards. Since these are matches between friends, its up to you what clubs, rosters, and settings you use (even Creation Centre teams).

PRO CLUBS

With such a big focus on making two new modes in Head to Head Seasons and Online Friendlies, we made a conscious decision to avoid major feature work in Pro Clubs and instead focus on bug fixes, tuning, and testing.

The incredible popularity of FIFA 11 and the complexity of Online Team Play at times made for a difficult year, and for FIFA 12 the efforts weve made to Clubs both in the game and on the servers - should make for a much better experience all around. Stability and exploits are a key focus for us so that games are an enjoyable experience and fair for all involved. Secondly, we worked with a few members of the community on little things like bugs and Virtual Pro accomplishments and unlocks that I think you will notice.

We hope you enjoy FIFA 12 online, whether it is climbing divisions, beating your mates, or growing your Pro online with your Club.

Amazing scenes await!

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