Q&A with Rugby Producer Tristan Jackson

What can you tell us about this year’s game that improves upon previous years?

Tristan Jackson: In EA Sports Rugby 2005, the visuals hit a point where they were very competitive with other EA Sports games (and the best of any Rugby game ever). This year our eye turned to taking the great gameplay that we had laid the foundations for last year and make it faster and more free flowing than ever. One of the highest impact features that reflects the focus on fast, flowing rugby is the ‘Offload Pass’ feature. This new gameplay feature allows the user to run into your opposing defender, wait till the last minute and pop the ball up to an oncoming teammate to barge ahead and keep the play going. The result is that you stay out of the rucks and mauls and keep the ball moving. Combine this with features such as quick line-outs and quick penalties and you’ll be spending most of the game running around the pitch and less time wrestling in the mud for the ball.

This year we have also dedicated a lot of effort in refining and enhancing the AI. In EA Sports Rugby 06 you’ll find that you’ll have to be much more creative with your attacking play in order to outwit the defense. To help you out in this quest, we have increased the attacking options. With 25 different setplays available to be chosen on the fly, you’ll have a whole host of different attacking options than just spinning it out to the wing. As well, you’ll find yourself using the boot a lot more this year, kicking for touch or kicking to space, as you try to gain ground against the defense.

What exactly is a set play, and how can it benefit the user when playing the game?

Tristan Jackson: Set plays in Rugby are pre-set running patterns you can instruct your back line to execute. What this allows you to do is attempt to create an overlap or mismatch in the defense or confuse them as to who will get the ball during the play. We have really grabbed onto this aspect of the sport and have done an excellent job implementing it into open play. In the front end before going into a match, you can choose from a host of different plays and map them to the d-pad to be called during play. Once into gameplay, from the back of any ruck, scrum or maul, you can call these plays up and send your players into motion. Each play has up to four different people who can end up with the ball so even in multi-player matches you’ll be able to keep your opponent guessing. We are very happy with how this feature has developed and it has moved from novelty to necessity especially on the harder difficulty levels.

What are the benefits and downfalls to quick penalties?

Tristan Jackson: As in real competitive rugby matches, quick penalties definitely have their pros and cons. In the right situation, if you elect to take a quick tap, you can end up catching your opponent unprepared or out of position allowing you to gain some valuable yards or even make a break up the field. However taken in the wrong situation, such as deep in your end, you may end up on your back foot scrambling to get the ball cleared as their whole team bears down on you. Keep in mind that your team can be in as much disarray as your opponents.

How is the feature of Impact Players utilized in the game?

Tristan Jackson: The impact players feature takes some of today’s best players from around the world and gives them their own unique abilities and AI behaviours that emphasize what it is they do best. In the case of Jonny Wilkinson, he will be able to give the ball a huge boot downfield, or be the ‘go to guy’ if kicking for points. On the other hand, if you get caught in the cross-hairs of a Richie McCaw tackle, you could end up coughing up the ball or paying a visit to the hospital. These players will effect the way you play with, and against, certain teams. The style of play of the impact players can really raise the quality level and help dictate the style of your team.

What additional tournaments and teams are included this year?

Tristan Jackson: This year we have been able to add the incredibly popular Guinness Premiership for England. All 12 teams will be represented with fully updated rosters and kits. We have also added both the Western Force and the Vodacom Cheetahs to round off the new Super 14 league. All the tournaments from last year are back making us the most licensed Rugby title available.

Can you tell us about the World League Mode?

Tristan Jackson: The World League Mode (Rugby 06’s version of a career mode) has been greatly expanded this year. We have introduced a much more fully featured player trade system that allows you to buy and sell players in specific trade windows. You are now given goals at the beginning of each season that you are expected to achieve, along with a job security meter giving you feedback on your performance and letting you know if you’ll soon be out of work. On the other hand, perform well and you’ll get job offers from other clubs. A new ticker will give you feedback on trades and scores around the league. Spend some time with this mode, build a great team, and try to make it to the top of Division 1 and win the whole thing.

Could you explain what Off Load passing is and how it will effect gameplay?

Tristan Jackson: The fluidity of Rugby when played at the highest level was something that we really wanted to capture in EA Rugby 06. One of the keys to this was to allow the ball to keep moving even though a tackle had been made. Whereas is EA Rugby 2005 a tackle would inevitably lead to a breakdown in play and involve a ruck forming, EA Rugby 06 allows the user to pass the ball out of the tackle in certain circumstances. This can be used as a very effective way of keeping the ball moving, but it is also risky as offload passes can be intercepted if used at inopportune moments.

Have there been any improvements in terms of graphics over previous years?

Tristan Jackson: The graphics have taken another big step forward this year. The stadiums look incredible and now have 3-D grass, mow patterns on the pitch and all new weather effects including steam and visible breath. We have designed an all-new player body this year to better reflect the build of your typical rugby player. We have also implemented new TV style graphics, and over-lay and replay systems to add that extra touch of realism. On top of that, we have a completely new front end which really suits the feel of rugby. As you can see, all the improvements in gameplay certainly didn’t come at the expense of the graphics.

Why should the consumer buy the game?

Tristan Jackson: In short, this is the best Rugby game yet. It is great fun for fans of the sport and newcomers who want to try something different. There are tutorials and practice areas if you want a chance to warm up before hitting the pitch or you can jump right in to one of the various tournaments. We have even gone to the effort of adding some unlockable rewards for winning various tournaments. It’s gritty, combative, fast flowing rugby at it’s very best …