Three Keys for FIFA 14 - kelvinmak's Blog

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kelvinmak's Blog

Three Keys for FIFA 14 Stuck

Posted on January 11, 2013 at 04:23 PM.

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Let�s get this out of the way first: FIFA 13 was an excellent game. That said, its excellence was mostly concentrated on the offensive end of things, while the rest of the package left a little to be desired. Here are three things FIFA 14 can do to make it an all around better game.

Improved CPU Management

I wrote about it a while back, and here's the shorter version: The CPU manager in FIFA 13 made tactical changes based solely on three things: sending-offs, injuries, and the scoreline. What it didn�t take into account is how the game is being played-- the CPU doesn't seem to recognize things like possession or shots on goal and make the appropriate adjustments, even when they're decidedly one-sided. For example, even if you switch from a 5-4-1 to a 3-4-3 and play accordingly, you still won't coax a change in how the CPU plays... until a goal gets scored.

They've improved the defense in FIFA 12, the offense in FIFA 13, maybe it's time for managers to get a little love in 14. Also, now that real managers are included in the game, it would also be nice�even if it sounds just a tad farfetched�to see them moving clubs and taking their tactical preferences with them.

More Proactive AI Teammates

A lot of the trouble with Tactical Defending, I suspect, is really a red herring. The underlying cause, rather, is the AI teammates� overwhelming penchant to react instead of anticipate.

See, the Tactical Defending module itself actually plays fine (though I won�t complain if we get a little more assistance when pressing down contain). It's realistic, in the sense that your defender has to jockey the ball carrier, show him to a particular area of the pitch until he makes the first move (and hopefully takes a bad touch), while any sort of reckless lunging-in will leave your team exposed.

So what�s the deal then?

The problem is that your AI teammates will almost always choose to sit back and react, instead of making a calculated gamble and anticipate. Sometimes playing defense isn't about making the actual tackle (at least, Xabi Alsono says as much), but rather pressuring the opposition into making a bad pass. This is where FIFA 13 fell short. Funneling your man into a bad area is oftentimes an exercise in futility, as your AI teammates aren't quick or aggressive enough to recognize that the attacker is dribbling himself out of options and close down his nearby teammates, allowing the ball carrier to pass out of trouble.

On a related note, another thing that�s nagged me for a while was the lack of second chances. As it stands, unless a goalie parries the shot straight to the foot of one of my attackers, the CPU defense can easily play the ball out no matter how much pressure I try to apply, during what should have been a frantic scramble. Again, it looks to be because of the too-reactive AI teammates, as they all drop back into position and �contain�, with little attention paid to the context (or alternatively, the risk and rewards) of the situation.

I don�t know if it�s a limitation of the engine or a conscious programming decision that AI teammates will avoid taking any action that involves risk, but it will be a huge improvement if, in FIFA 14, we get more dynamic teammates who can be proactive without you taking control of them.

More Fouls

Or at least, a greater variety of fouls. While there is a fair share of push-pull ones being called, there aren�t enough �bad� tackles from the CPU. It�s very rare you see a scrappy game in FIFA 13, and it would be nice to see a cynical foul (to, say, prevent your player from going clear down the wing) or just a regular Paul Scholes tackle once in a while. It may not appeal to some gamers, to be constantly harried and fouled, but these sort of games do happen in real life, and should be more prevalent in FIFA 14.

If there's any theme that emerges from these three points, it's that the �on the ball" experience is good enough. It's the �off the ball�-- what the other twenty-one players are doing-- that needs improvement. And that�s what makes making a great soccer game so difficult, perhaps more difficult than the other major sports. There are more continuously moving parts in soccer than the rest of them, and it�s not the easiest thing to simulate their behaviors.

Sound Off: What would you like to see improved in FIFA 14?

Comments

# 1 willyfantastic @ Jan 12

improved transfer market in manager mode. get it to the same level as football manager (which still isnt perfect) and i would be happy. also get rid of player portrait pictures and go back to generated faces and give it to youth players too, and that stops black portrait domination once youth players get into the senior team

# 2 ps3veron @ Jan 12

Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with the current FIFA engine (in fact, its darn right perfect), I think its time they changed the whole Engine.

Small, small advancements and refinements have actually ensured FIFA's success but we're running on the same engine for practically 5/6 years now.

Let's not forget that the next PES will be running on that new FOX engine (powering MGS) and I personally can't wait to see how that turns out.

With everyone yapping about this year being the "twilight year for the current gen", I think its time FIFA made some bold moves. With the way it is FIFA 13 is everything a soccer fan would want. But I want to see more of a revolution than a reinvention.

# 3 Purple28Pedestrian @ Jan 12

Change assisted controls to assisted...not perfect controls. This goes for human vs human, im tired of playing on manual and having assisted players have perfect passes, perfect touches, perfect shots. It is boring, regardless of how much harder it makes it.

Passing with your back turned to the person receiving the ball is down right ridiculous, this all has to do with human human or online play.

I wish they could find a way to slow down the game, instead of having this track meet for 90 minutes.

Make stamina play a bigger role, you dont really have to substitute players due to fatigue.

It's funny you talk about second chance opportunities, human vs human they are a huge percentage of goals, so many times the ball getts parried directly to the opposition for an easy tap in.

I love this game, but i agree AI defense is lacking, it's far to easy for an opponent to pass into the box take a quick turn and strike into the back of the net.

# 4 bigeastbumrush @ Jan 12

Larger fonts!

# 5 jmaj315 @ Jan 13

i agree with willy, the transfer market sucks compared to FM and I think there should be an expanded youth and scouting section. Why can I only have 1 youth team and 3 scouts? thats crazy!

# 6 DJTake1 @ Jan 14

""See, the Tactical Defending module itself actually plays fine (though I won’t complain if we get a little more assistance when pressing down contain). ""

You're opinion is now invalid. This is what happened in FIfa 12 and people online played defense by holding the contain button and you had a guy that could react and shadow you infinitely. No one who knows what they are talking about wants this changed.