Why Licenses Are Better Than Option Files

Feature Article

Submitted on: 12/14/2016 by Kevin Groves

It’s no secret that the debate between FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) usually starts and ends with licenses. With Konami and EA Sports in a race to secure as many licenses as possible, sometimes every gamer suffers in the long run. While the PES community is filled with a plethora of option files, FIFA 17 is as a “pick-up-and-play” game as we’ll see in the footy genre.

1) Pick Up And Play

Gamers can be an impatient bunch. In this digital era of game installs, patches and tuners, it’s quite refreshing to boot up FIFA 17 and have most of the leagues, players and so on at your fingertips. Unless you want to spend the time to edit tactics, you can jump right into your favorite mode (career mode, FUT, etc.), download the latest roster and have at it. On the other hand, starting a Master League in PES often requires patience as option files are created. FIFA players can be weeks into their career mode before their PES Master League even begins.

2) Authenticity

PES option files are often littered with tiny errors. Whether it be typos or a slightly off kit colors, there’s a rush for these creators to get them out and be the first to market. As a result, the discovery of an error can sometimes dampen the experience. While FIFA isn’t immune to errors (think Manchester City’s third kit), the sheer number of errors is significantly less, and when combined with authentic broadcast packages (Barclay’s Premier League, Budweiser FA Cup, German Bundesliga), the experience can often blur the lines of reality. In the future, hopefully this attention to detail will carry over to other leagues such as Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A.

3) Trickle-Down Effect

There’s to more to licenses than just the visual aesthetic. Cosmetically, licenses are instantaneously recognizable, but when combined with dedicated commentary and graphical overlays, the total package of FIFA 17 really shines. Despite the sometimes repetitive commentary about your club, the plethora of names and lines makes the immersion factor greater than PES -- where the game lacks such refinements as a complete names database (both club/city and player names). Furthermore, FIFA 17 boasts an impressive, albeit curiously not ready for release, authentic presentation package for the English Premier League (both league and cup play) and German Bundesliga. It's little touches like these that help separate FIFA from PES in terms of a "total package."

How important are licenses when making your annual footy purchasing decisions?

Member Comments

# 1 fzdoom @ 12/14/16 01:04 PM

Bought PES last year and downloaded the option file. I was content and thought the content was quality. Or so I thought.

This year I decided to get Fifa and I must say the official licenses make a HUGE difference. Not only are the kits precise, but since every league is in the game the transfers in Career Mode give you the opportunity to sign players that just arent even in PES. Like most of the German league. PES has GREAT gameplay and i enjoyed it thoroughly, but after a few years in Manager Mode everything just got a bit boring and repetitive. The presentation, realism and commentary creat such an atmosphere in Fifa that PES can't currently touch.

# 2 DBMcGee3 @ 12/14/16 01:36 PM

I've used some great option files over the years. That said, it's the constant waiting game that you end up playing that is the hardest to deal with. I've been waiting on the latest version of the PES Universe file for months now, and don't get me wrong, those guys do a great job and they offer files for free. That said, it's looking like by the time it's ready, the transfer window will basically be going on, so almost immediately I'll be waiting on the next update. There's also been a history of Konami's Data Packs scrambling Option Files, but it doesn't seem too bad this year from my experience.

There are definitely benefits, like tactical updates and face builds, that you can't really get with FIFA, but for me it just gets really tedious and annoying having to constantly work to keep my rosters current and have the right kits.

# 3 KennyJ1976 @ 12/14/16 06:41 PM

With all that said, I would still rather FIFA give us some edit options as PES does. If you're a fan of Liga NOS or Serie B (Calcio B), there's quite a few unlicensed teams in those leagues and you can't do anything about it. Hell, it would be nice to be able to add the proper badges for Serie A and Serie B and the badge for the Championship with the SkyBet logo. As for PES, if their game had an in game edit share like NBA 2K, their game would be more accessible, especially to new fans of the series who sometimes find option files overly complicated.

# 4 Lovesports @ 12/14/16 06:57 PM

There is no comparison. There never was. Why not having cancer is better than having cancer. Option files are a ghetto way of supplementing a pretty barebones game when it comes to licenses. FIFA is a much better all around experience.

# 5 poulka @ 12/14/16 08:07 PM

Unless there is something I don't know. Being on Xbox options are not an option for me. I like authenticity when gaming. FIFA is the only choice for me.

# 6 TerryP @ 12/14/16 09:35 PM

Would love it if PES had all the licenses, but I prefer it's gameplay so much that I can be happy with the option files.

# 7 kennyacid @ 12/14/16 10:08 PM

I'm cool with my option files and gameplay.

# 8 Bixer @ 12/15/16 05:36 AM

Sadly true.

I was tempted to move over to PES this year as I've become a little sick of FIFA, but it was the simple lack of players that stopped me.

I can live with spending hours meticulously transporting option files from a hard drive to my computer if the end result means a 'complete' game. But currently with PES that's just impossible.

Hundreds of real players in FIFA don't even have a fake counterpart in PES, so you'll just never have the same level of realism and depth. It's fine if you only really care about playing with the big teams, but for those of us that prefer the challenge of bringing a lower league team to the top, it makes a huge difference.

# 9 jpollack34 @ 12/15/16 08:04 PM

Option files and gamplay any day over licenses.

# 10 dtlm6 @ 12/17/16 10:21 PM

I much prefer PES gameplay to FIFA and was thrilled to add option files this year. However, after doing an update today, some of my option files have reverted back to original generic teams. This is extremely frustrating as I will have to start all over again. I've decided to give FIFA another try but, in years past, I just don't find it as much fun as PES.

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