FIFA 13: The Producers Interview

With the release of FIFA 13 less than three weeks away (Release date - 28th September), Extratime.ie reporter Ross Mullen caught up with David Rutter and Marcel Kuhn, producers from EA Sports.

Numerous new features have already been announced and confirmed but some aspects of the new game are still being kept under wraps. Despite rumours and screenshots circulating the internet about the inclusion of the Saudi League amongst others, Rutter was tight-lipped.  

"We're not really confirming any of our licenses at the moment. While we haven't confirmed or denied anything."

This means we'll also have to wait and see if Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka's new club Shangai Shenua will be part of the Rest Of World section.

Last year's game was considered revolutionary in many aspects, particularly due to the introduction of tactical defending and a new player impact engine. In the words of Rutter, they enhanced the game in "lots and lots of different ways. The player impact engine completely changed the fluidity of the game and opened up various possibilities."

However, he promises that FIFA 13 will be just as innovative and revolutionary as the last. "The stuff we've put in have completely changed the game in as many different ways as last year. "

Even Rutter admits that tactical defending wasn't perfect last year, with many people growing frustrated at the lack of help from their computer-controlled team-mates.

"Attacking players had much more time on the ball but players felt they weren't getting enough support from the AI as they were expecting. A lot of the work this year has gone into that Attacking Intelligence. Lots of committed, direct and decisive runs.Instead of players running aimlessly around the pitch, ignoring the vast amounts of space, they will look to exploit them with authentic runs."

Those involved in FIFA 13 have also looked at altering the control system. Whereas in previous games, players of all abilities could control the ball with little difficulty. It didn't matter if you were Lionel Messi or Titus Bramble. This has received an almost complete overhaul in this year's edition.

"This year we wanted to remove that near perfect control, and introduce a system we call First Touch Control." This will probably the biggest change people will immediately notice when they first play the new game.

EA are using the context of the ball to alter how a player attempts to control the ball. The pace of the ball, whether it's dropping or rising and how the ball is moving will all affect the chances of trapping the ball. How the player is positioned will also have an impact. Which way they're facing and if they're in mid-stride or simply standing still. Naturally, the player's rating will also be an important factor. "Under difficult circumstances, sometimes even the best players in the world won't be able to control the ball perfectly."

This serves to increase the significance of the new "Push-Pull" feature. By using the tackle button, player's can barge into onrushing attackers or deftly step across to make a timely intervention. It's a great way to defend this year.

"Passing it out of defence in a Barcelona fashion is not as easy this year as the new control system affects outcomes in both attack and defence. "This year you'll have to think a bit more tactically about it and maybe just clear it in those positions."

New skill games are another brand new feature that the team at EA are very proud of. The "Arena" that appears at loading screens has been removed and replaced by a variety of skill games.

"There's a sweep of features, introducing control mechanics to new players. How to shoot, how to pass, free kicks etc."

There will be 3 tiers; bronze, silver and gold. When you eventually complete the gold tier, which will not be an easy feat, you will unlock a challenge. The challenge consists of an assault course based around the skill you have supposedly perfected.  An online leaderboard will be available for people to boast about their quick times.

The ability to take control of national sides in career mode seems to have garnered a lot of interest and a lot of intrigue surrounds this game mode. Unfortunately, in order to accept a job offer from an international team, players will have to abandon their club side. A full selection of international tournaments will be available and from the sound of Rutter's voice, this appears to be a feature he is excited by.

"Earn the right to play for or manage the national team. Earning that right is not going to be straightforward. Our aim is to make it challenging and fun. Players will have to be on the peak of their career rather than a newbie simply getting the job."

For those players who don't have the time to invest in career mode in order to reach this pinnacle in their career, there will be another opportunity to get that call-up. FIFA 12 experience points will be transferred across to FIFA 13 and those players will be rewarded with credits for the new unlockables catalogue. These unlockables include an "International Job Offer" which will allow players to skip the hard graft normally needed to gain such an honour.

There are a couple of hundred of these unlockables in a big catalogue, from retro jerseys to career mode cheats such as the International Job Offer. This are separated into different levels.

Rutter explains, "Gain experience by playing the game in pretty much everything you do, more experience leads to more levels. Credits are a cross conversion if you like." Obviously, the more exciting and rarer items are in the higher levels and will take much more determination and commitment to reach.

Unlike your experience points, you will not be able to carry over your Virtual Pro from the previous year's game. "Virtual Pro has been re-written this year as last year, we noticed people found exploits in the game"

This is where people transfer their Virtual Pro to a computer in order to edit it's features.

"This created 9 foot virtual pro monsters with 100 rated every attribute."

This year, Virtual Pro Mode has been split into offline and online. Offline virtual pros can still be grown in the normal way in career mode but will never go online.

"Your online virtual pro is held on the server. This allows us to scrutinise their progress. There were pretty freakish ones online at some points last year but this will make it fairer online. It was one of the most requested features."

We were also luckily enough to chat to Marcel Kuhn, a key member of the team in charge of the Ultimate Team feature of FIFA 13. This game mode has surged hugely in popularity since its introduction into the FIFA franchise. This year, along with a new much more graphical main menu,  there is a new tutorial which allows players to build a new squad for a "one off cup final."

By doing so, they will learn about chemistry, which is a hugely integral part of Ultimate Team and about getting new players. There will also be rewards upon completion. Another new feature will be the option to use your Ultimate Team in season modes and partake in promotion and relegation just like real team. This will be available online but also in single player offline.

FIFA 12 users who are hoping to continue their progress with their Ultimate Team will be disappointed to learn that they will have abandon their old side but they will receive something for their troubles.

"The team resets but give returning users a little welcome back present based on their activity," said Kuhn.

It's clear that FIFA 13 looks to build on the success of last year's game and continue to be one of the bestselling video game franchises of all time. Rutter for one believes this year's game will impress it's many fans.

"If you were to ask me or any of my team is FIFA 13 the best FIFA game yet, it would be a resounding absolute yes."

Here's hoping.