Three Keys: FIFA

[DustinT]

FIFA 15 is still the best-selling sports game on the planet, and it continues to be an incredible sports gaming experience for all skill levels. Simply put, there’s a lot to love about the FIFA franchise now and into the future.

The best can get better, and as we head into 2015, here are three keys for the FIFA franchise.

1. Make Styles Stand Out More. Teams still feel way too similar. The tactics and styles present in soccer are incredibly diverse, and the one thing FIFA hasn’t quite figured out is how to make teams feel different.

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[PPerfect_CJ]

In Manager Mode, we should be able to customize our coaches more and have them actually LOOK the way that we want them to and SHOW them more in the game. Currently, we only see them on substitutions and cup presentations. It would definitely help with immersion.

[vinaa23]

Why only the MLS? Brazil doesn't even have a league this year (not EA's fault, I know, but stil...). I think improving other leagues such as Bundesliga and Calcio Serie A would be better. I can't see why this is key for the franchise to improve.

[BradyBunch88]

Great little article.

I've been playing FIFA pretty much on and off since FIFA 99.

Here's my Three Keys moving forward with the Franchise.

Get the UEFA Champions League rights It's such a big part of world football, separating the best from the best. It's an event when it's shown on TV, the theme song, the build up / pre-match talk. Once FIFA gains the UCL rights, it will be more or less a complete football game.

Manager Mode Overhaul So many things that need updating here. Better involvement when you're an international manager, games are boring! Needs a lot of work.
Youth Academy needs fixing. Search for a "Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder, Forward / Attacker" rather than the current choice. Get players in right positions, physical stats need to be at least average and names more realistic.

Licensed Teams Fantastic to have the Barclays Premier League fully licensed in FIFA 15. But let's take that further and do the same for Liga BBVA, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A and MLS. The new gen consoles have the power, it'd be great to have the same atmosphere in all the leagues around the world, like we do in the BPL.

As a mini fourth one, it would be nice to see real managers in the game. They had it in FIFA World Cup series, why not in the regular FIFA series? Jose Mourhino, Louis Van Gaal, Arsene Wenger, Manuel Pelligrini etc.

[DBMcGee3]

I'd like to see them do a better job updating the players as well. They tweak the ratings weekly, but I'd love to see things like boots, accessories and hairstyles to get some love here and there. The update treatment NBA 2k has gotten this year has spoiled me a bit, it's so cool to see new things virtually every time you turn on the game.

Also, to any EA developers who may stumble upon this thread, PLEASE BRING BACK FREE TRAINING MODE. In past years, I've spent hours dicking around on the practice pitch, honing my skills in 11 v 11, jamming out to what's usually a cool soundtrack, and all without having to sit through all the presentation aspects of the game. I love the presentation, don't get me wrong, but if you only have a few minutes to play, or if you're just wanting to practice certain things, the free training is sublime.

[speedtrucker]

1. Expand the "Full Experience" - La Liga and Bundesliga need to be at least the minimum to be included but I'd like to see Serie A and Ligue 1 also. full stadium, chant, atmosphere inclusion.

2. different player styles & Animations - a nice touch with different penalties and free kick styles but there needs to be different defence stances, jogging, running and sprinting styles. CR7 runs completely different from Messi, Xabi Alonso defends in a completely different style/stance from Yaya Toure... etc. also it'd be nice to have "personality" as the manager mode has players form/attitude. knowing that Pepe is a volatile player which can lead to more high risk/reward plays while Kompany is more restrained and less likely to recklessly fly in on a tackle, along these lines a volatile player could be more impactful in big games or tire quicker in mid-week meaningless matches while a controlled player might not be as impactful against a rival but not get caught out or less likely to pickup a card against that bitter rival.

3. upgrades to Pro Clubs and other non-FUT online modes - again more variety in the non-FUT online modes. seasons, coop-seasons and Pro Club seasons are fun but they lack cohesion, cards don't carry over, weather is all over the place(it'd be nice to have a "weather forecast"). especially in Pro Clubs, the stadiums lose their atmosphere to an extent, it'd be nice to know that when we pick LFC as our kit, Anfield as our home stadium and Liverpool as our "commentary" name, that it would trigger the full Liverpool feel to the match. and if the other team just happened to be a BPL team, we'd get the full BPL experience. seasons and coop seasons at least have this feature.

those are my 3. 3.5 would be Champions league and 4 would be a feasible Online connected manager mode(but that is a nightmare to figure out).

[SVCbearcat10]

1. Make Styles Stand Out More. Teams still feel way too similar. The tactics and styles present in soccer are incredibly diverse, and the one thing FIFA hasn’t quite figured out is how to make teams feel different.

2. Manager Mode Needs Some Life. Manager mode is great, but the mode needs an overall breath of fresh air. I’d love a more dynamic/alive world to continue to be built into the mode to ensure it continues to be a fun experience.
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I couldn't agree more with #1. I'm just getting into soccer in general, but there's a noticeable difference between teams and players in PES.

With #2, I think there needs to be the option to delegate. Maybe I want to scout my next Striker, but don't care to put in the time to fill out my roster depth. If I could set scouting to auto, that would be a much better boost to people who don't have much time to play.

[redsox4evur]

Manager Mode also needs to be longer as well as be more in depth. I mean look at NBA 2K, their manager mode equivalents run for 80 years. I am by no means asking for 80 years, but we should have more than 15 years. Also I think it would be cool if instead of getting emails about players we should have an office type setup where they come in and ask us about whatever. Like if you have a guy in form who is a sub comes and asks you to play but you are in a Champions Cup final game, you should be able to explain to him that given the team's situation you are not going to start but depending on the game you may be able to get in there as a sub. Or if a guy wants to leave the club you should be able to give one final pitch for the guy to say. Also the press conferences should be real press conferences not just a menu where you choose to either praise, motivate or unnerve.

Also EA needs to improve the storylines of why guys want to leave, I have never heard of a player wanting to leave the Premier League because he hates playing in the rain.