First of all... I used to be a big fan of the EA Sports football/soccer franchises. While I'm still a fan, my satisfaction has been dropping through the years, directly proportional to the quality of our beloved and once-awesome FIFA and FIFA Manager game series. Nevertheless... is anyone from EA Sports really listening to us, the fans?
My question is: Does EA Sports have someone review their games before they hit the market? And if so, has anyone reviewed FIFA Manager 11? Because its 3D simulation gameplay is straight from the early 90s! or maybe even earlier than that... So, without even mentioning the tactics part of the game (the menu with all the gameplay options etc.), which is already okay (just okay), in my opinion (one specific competitor is clearly a lot more interested and invested in simulating the real-life football/soccer world); so, without mentioning that, let's talk about our sweet 3D simulation gameplay in FIFA Manager 2011. I would assign it an "Epic FAIL!" tag, and I know I'm not the only one... In fact, I've yet to hear from or of anyone who is indeed satisfied with it. Shouldn't that trigger a "loud" alarm bell to those currently working on the franchise?! Some examples are as follows...
1. Attacker all alone, heading towards the goal, with only the goalkeeper to beat. He suddenly decides to either turn back (where the opposing defence is, trying to catch up with him), or pass the ball back behing him, to a teammate who's surrounded by a couple of defenders... the defenders take the ball and that's it.
2. Opposing player heading towards the goal with no one after him. All defenders are marking the other opposing players, and none decides to go after the "free spirit" who's just about to get closer to the goal and shoot (note - defenders weren't asked to do any man-to-man marking; they're just "doing their job" I guess).
3. Goalkeeper punches out a swift kick; ball gets deflected to the side of the penalty box (note - at least 10-16 yards out). Goalie quickly stands up (on the opposite side of the goal); whileile the goalie stares at the whole thing and doesn't even react (I'm talking about the easiest goalkeeping situation you could imagine), an opposing player has the time to control the ball and then kick it in the back of the net (not a hard kick, just a soft touch); and the goalkeeper does have the painful propensity to just stand and stare, on most such occasions, instead of reacting; even when the ball is right next to him and an opposing attacker runs in from over 10 yards away - the attacher gets to the ball (and scores), before the goalie does, who's got the ball at his feet.
4. Ball rolls down the pitch towards the goal; goalie goes to pick it up. While the ball has already passed him by about 4-6 feet, as the goalies reaches down, the ball automatically teleports into his hands (this is easily visible and perceivable, folks).
5. I'm sure if you tested out the game a little, you'd notice a lot more such scenes that would drive any football/soccer fan CRAZY!
Where is today's gaming technology in this?! Where are the programming/design skills and the professionalism that the staff of a company such as EA Games should display? Where is the technological performance and creativity in this game. Where is the football/soccer knowledge in it (it's as if this game was created by people who know NOTHING about the actual sport). I wouldn't expect the programmers and designers to necessarily know much about the sport, but what about the managers, directors, and writers involved in creating the real-life-like feel of FM11. I would expect failures like this from a small, entry-level game-producing company. EA Games, and namely EA Sports, though is a big video game producer! There's no doubt about that! Where is the communication between the fans (customers) and the FIFA Manager team?! The best way to improve any such type of work is by taking in suggestions and criticism and turning it into valuable improvement and progress - none so far, apparently.
Is there anyone from EA Sports (someone pertinent to this subject and franchise) going to ever answer questions like these!?
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