Play, analyse and watch FIFA 2009

Great episodes of FIFA

2009-01-31T19:59:00.002+02:00

You are welcome to watch what EA Sports haven't given to Fifa 09 players on PC. Here we have, as they say, the 10 best FIFA 09 goals uploaded by gamers to official site of the game.

You can explore more here or find some great videos from last year here.

FIFA 09 still shakes only Europe

2008-11-09T18:31:00.002+02:00

What are the best-selling games in America, Japan, and Europe (UK, France, Germany) this week? And where is the FIFA 09 place in tops, according to videogamesblogger.com?The most obvious conclusion: the majority of game lovers live in Europe..

Nintendo Wii
North America: 1. Wii Fit (Nintendo), 2. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 3. Wii Play (Nintendo), 4. Wii Music (Nintendo), 5. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (LucasArts).

Japan: 1. Shape Boxing: Wii Enjoy Diet! (Rocket Company), 2. Wii Fit (Nintendo), 3. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 4. Wii Music (Nintendo), 5. Wii Sports (Nintendo).

Europe: 1. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 2. Wii Play (Nintendo), 3. Wii Fit (Nintendo), 4. Carnival: Fun Fair Games (2K Games), 5. FIFA 09 All-Play (Electronic Arts).

Xbox 360
North America: 1. Gears of War 2 (Microsoft), 2. Gears of War 2 Limited Edition (Microsoft), 3. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (LucasArts), 4. Fallout 3 (Bethesda), 5 Fable II (Microsoft).

Japan: 1. Grand Theft Auto IV (Capcom), 2. Tales of Vesperia (Namco), 3. Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation - Platinum Collection (Namco), 4. Assassin’s Creed - Platinum Collection (Ubisoft), 5. The Idolm@ster - Platinum Collection (Namco).

Europe: 1. Gears of War 2 (Microsoft), 2. FIFA 09 (Electronic Arts), 3. Fable II (Microsoft), 4. Gears Of War 2 Limited Collectors Edition (Microsoft), 5. Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar).

PlayStation 3
North America: 1. Resistance 2 (Sony), 2. LittleBigPlanet (Sony), 3. Resistance: Fall Of Man (Sony), 4. Fallout 3 (Bethesda), 5.Metal Gear Solid 4 : Guns of the Patriots (Konami).

Japan: 1. Grand Theft Auto IV (Capcom), 2. LittleBigPlanet (Sony), 3. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Special Edition (Konami), 4. Tears to Tiara: Kakan no Daichi - Limited Edition (Aqua Plus), 5. Valkyria Chronicles (Sega).

Europe: 1. FIFA 09 (Electronic Arts), 2. LittleBigPlanet (Sony), 3. Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar), 4. Fallout 3 (Bethesda), 5. James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace (Activision).

PlayStation 2
North America: 1. Jak 3 (Sony), 2. Lego Batman (Warner Bros.), 3. Rock Band Special Edition (MTV Games), 4. Madden NFL 09 (Electronic Arts), 5. Guitar Hero: World Tour (Activision).

Japan: 1. Devil Summoner: Raido Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon - Plus Edition (Atlus), 2. Tales of the Abyss - Best of Collection (Namco), 3. Wrestling Angels: Survivor 2 - Special Edition (First Try), 4. Devil Summoner: Raido Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon (Atlus), 5. Hokuouki (Idea Factory).

Europe: 1. FIFA 09 (Electronic Arts), 2. Lego Batman: The Videogame (Warner Bros.), 3. Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (Konami), 4. WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 (THQ), 5. SingStar Singalong with Disney (Sony).

PC
North America: 1. Fallout 3 (Bethesda), 2. Spore (Electronic Arts), 3. Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa (NCsoft), 4. World of Warcraft Battlechest (Blizzard), 5. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (Electronic Arts).

Japan: 1. Chaos;Head (Nitro Plus), 2. Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu (Bandai Namco), 3. Clannad: Full Voice (Key), 4. Final Fantasy XI: The Vana’diel Collection (Square Enix), 5. Monster Hunter Frontier Online Season 3.0 Premium (E Frontier).

Europe: 1. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (Electronic Arts), 2. Fallout 3 (Bethesda), 3.Far Cry 2 (Ubisoft), 4. Spore (Electronic Arts), 5. The Sims 2: Apartment Life Expansion Pack (Electronic Arts).

Nintendo DS
North America: 1. Mario Kart DS (Nintendo), 2. New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo), 3. Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day! (Nintendo), 4. Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir (Nintendo), 5. Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day! (Nintendo).

Japan: 1. Kirby Super Star Ultra (Nintendo), 2. Wagamama Fashion: Girls Mode (Nintendo), 3. Pokemon Platinum (Nintendo), 4. Rhythm Tengoku Gold (Nintendo), 5. Avalon Code - includes original drama CD & materials set (Marvelous).

Europe: 1. Professor Layton and The Curious Village (Nintendo), 2. Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain? (Nintendo), 3. More Brain Training (Nintendo), 4. New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo), 5. Cooking Guide: Can’t Decide What To Eat? (Nintendo).

PlayStation Portable
North America: 1. Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow (Sony), 2. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (Rockstar), 3. LEGO Batman (Warner Bros.), 4. Star Ocean: First Departure (Square Enix), 5. God of War: Chains of Olympus (Sony).

Japan: 1. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G - Best of Collection (Capcom), 2. Don’t Be So Bold Just Because You Are Heroes Part 2 (Sony), 3. Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (Square Enix), 4. Mega Man Powered Up - Best Price! (Capcom), 5. Maplus Portable Navi 2 (Edia).

Europe: 1. FIFA 09 (Electronic Arts), 2. Lego Batman: The Videogame (Warner Bros.), 3. Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (Konami), 4. God of War: Chains of Olympus (Sony), 5. The Simpsons (Electronic Arts).

FIFA 09 or PES 2009?

2008-10-18T21:31:00.002+03:00

Which to buy: Pro Evolution soccer 2009 or FIFA Soccer 09? Maybe You should have them both, maybe none of them...Read here and decide Yourself.

FIFA 09 release dates

2008-09-27T13:55:00.005+03:00

Are You waiting? FIFA 09 will be release in

*Australia on October 2, 2008
*Europe on October 3, 2008
*North America on October 14, 2008

Available platforms: PC, Mobile, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Xbox.

Download FIFA 09 demo here.

FIFA 09 is on it's way

2008-08-20T14:54:00.004+03:00

FIFA 09 is on it's way to our hearts. And EA is teasing us by telling one secret by another about this new creature. This time they unveils new Adidas Live Season for FIFA 09 that will dynamically update player form in-game to mirror real world performance.

According to official site, a global network of football scouts will monitor every player throughout the season to supply accurate team data each week. FIFA 09 demo available world wide on September 11th.

Electronic Arts today announced a new premium service for EA SPORTS™ FIFA 09 called adidas Live Season that will redefine the football videogame experience by dynamically updating player form in-game on a weekly basis so that player attributes mirror real-world performances.

FIFA 09 will now feel and play differently throughout the entire 2008-2009 season matching the weekly rhythm of football. The new service will be available for Barclay’s Premier League, La Liga BBVA, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Serie A and Mexican Primera Division on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and PC.

FIFA 09 is now powered with dynamic real-world data and analytics, lifting the game to new heights of authenticity for football fans and gamers connected online. The adidas Live Season service is based on how real players performed in the most recent real-world matches. Gameplay will change dynamically as the performance of players and football teams in the real world experience the highs and lows during their campaigns.

Andrew Wilson, Vice President & Executive Producer for the FIFA 09 had this to say:
“This is an ambitious and completely unique feature that has never been attempted before for football videogames. The game will feel and play differently each week. With adidas Live Season if Ronaldinho has a great match on the weekend you’ll feel the difference when you pick up the controller as his in-game attributes increase.”

A global network of football scouts will monitor every player in the adidas Live Season leagues throughout the season to supply accurate and in-depth player and team data each week. Player attributes will be impacted and player performance will change dynamically. The adidas Live Season service is downloaded into FIFA 09 each week and will run from the launch of the game to the end of the 2008-2009 season.

Gamers with Xbox Live or PSN subscriptions will have access to one league of their choice for a free trial from the moment they activate it to the end of the 2008-2009 season.

A FIFA 09 demo will be available for download on September 11 worldwide on the PLAYSTATION®Network and Xbox LIVE™.

UEFA EURO 2008: new videogame for European Championship and its greatness

2008-04-07T12:56:00.003+03:00

EA traditionally decided to ease waiting for European Championship. In a few days
the official and exclusive licensed videogame of UEFA EURO 2008™ will be released. You can practice on demo already.

UEFA EURO 2008™ features stunning visual representations of the world's best players, playing in a more accessible, faster-paced and responsive version of the market-leading EA SPORTS™ soccer engine, and all of the teams and official stadiums that will be part of UEFA EURO 2008™. Take on the challenge of leading one of over 50 European national teams to glory as UEFA EURO 2008 recreates all of the drama and excitement of the official tournament in Austria and Switzerland, invites EA. Play as your favorite country from qualification right through to a virtual reproduction of the championship tournament.

Before You read more, please, take a look at the trailer.

A new game mode called Captain Your Country enables gamers to customize them on the pitch and wear the shirt of their national team. Work through eight status levels to earn the captaincy of your team and then lead your country into battle for championship glory against your rivals. Go online in Battle of the Nations to earn status points for yourself and your country in a competition for global supremacy. Go for the biggest upsets to earn the most points and then watch you and your country move up the leader boards. Face the challenge and pressure of competing in the championship rounds in the EURO Online Knockout Draw to test your skills against the world's best.

UEFA EURO 2008 captures the look and feel of the journey from qualification to the finals with rain and mud dynamics that impact playing conditions, real-time player ratings that change based on player performance, and a penalty kick mode that re-creates the elation and agony of a penalty shoot-out as if you were on the pitch. Experience the thrill of scoring the goal that sends your country through to the next round and then choose how to celebrate it with all-new interactive user-controlled celebrations.

Captain your country, play alongside your heroes, and inspire them to championship glory in the official videogame of UEFA EURO 2008™.

Key Features

* Win UEFA EURO 2008 ™ - Compete as one of 52 teams from qualification right through to a virtual reproduction of UEFA EURO 2008™ in Austria and Switzerland.

* Captain Your Country - Play as yourself on the same team with up to three friends, all playing individual positions on the pitch. Compete collaboratively to win games but compete against each other for the captaincy. Develop your player through eight status levels to earn the captaincy of your country and the right to lead your team.

* Create Yourself - Play alongside your heroes by customizing yourself in game. Place your name on your jersey, then earn experience points to enhance your skills and reputation.

* Battle of the Nations - Represent your country online against your rivals around the world to win global supremacy. Earn individual and team points. Think your nation is the best? Now you can prove it!

* EURO Online Knockout Draw- Battle gamers from other nations online in 16-team single elimination tournaments to gain points for your nation.

* Enhanced Penalty Kicks -- Experience the challenge of a penalty shoot-out as if you were on the pitch. Master your nerves to score the goal that puts your team in the UEFA EURO 2008™ final.

* Interactive Celebrations - Score a goal and then control your player's movements and actions to celebrate the way you want to.

* Dynamic Rain and Mud - Winter weather from across Europe is authentically re-created to simulate real-world playing conditions. Experience driving rain that creates sloppy, muddy pitches which dramatically impacts passing and player performance.

* Home & Away Match Strategy- CPU mimics international soccer by creating strategic, defensive formations for away teams intent on playing for a draw.

* Authentic Stadiums - Compete in all 8 official stadiums of UEFA EURO 2008™.

* Team Managers - Watch reactions from team managers on the sideline as they shout encouragement or become disappointed in your team's performance.

* EA SPORTS Soccer Engine - An evolution of the market leading EA SPORTS soccer engine with enhanced goalkeeper AI, collisions, and trapping that make this the best-playing EA SPORTS soccer game.

* Story of Qualifying - Play the qualifying campaign and step up at key defining moments to lead your country to Europe's biggest prize. Complete team and individual tasks.

* Dynamic Player Ratings - Real-time player ratings change based on actual player performance, simulating the momentum swings of a real season.

Fifa 09 torrent download

2008-03-05T16:25:00.001+02:00

It's funny they already boast they provide full version of FIFA 09 torrent donwloads. Go on guys!

Players' faces in FIFA 09

2008-02-05T11:53:00.000+02:00

These ones will be the official FIFA 09 Players' faces, they say.

FIFA 09 - Next generation hope

2008-01-31T14:00:00.000+02:00

“We have the first official information of FIFA 09," fifa2008.wordpress.com quotes FIFA4Fans.com.

"In a games 2008 preview the German games magazine GameStar (02/2008) has written a small text about the new EA Sports games:

In 2008 there will be new versions of the big EA-Sports series again, that means NBA Live 09, Madden NFL 09, FIFA 09 & Co. There aren’t available lots of details up to now, but the developpers have announced that the PC versions will get the technic of the much more beautiful console versions - finally! The original licences of the leagues will be included again, too. With other words: FIFA 09 will use the NextGen technic on the PC, too!

A few tips about saving replies

2008-01-14T14:38:00.000+02:00

Today I'd like to share with You some tips about saving Your best episodes in FIFA'08:

1)Although the ability to export game's episodes in format which lets You to watch the clips on casual video players is great, this feature isn't perfect yet. The quality of the exported clips can be described only as semi-satisfying and it will be a compliment. However, You can improve the quality by going to MY FIFA - GAME SETTINGS - SYSTEM and adjusting the options there. Pay maximum attention to Output Video Resolution and Output Video Quality. Here we have my visual example way:

Both low

Both medium

Both high

Keep experimenting with these two and other options by Yourself, but have in mind that low quality doesn't recompense high resolution and vice versa:)

2)This one could look too simple but I should say that I lost some of my great moments just because I hadn't think of it. When saving, be sure that the end of Your episode is before the cursor in the saving bar - don't rewind it to the beginning of the episode. I'd saved a few of my first beautiful episodes in this style and when I wanted to watch them, I saw only the scene how my guys rejoice the goal. Only then I noticed that the most important thing is that blue line.

3)When You are watching Your recorded clips, You can choose the point of viewing. For example, if You want to see only how the goalkeeper behaves in the episodes above, You can focus only on him. You can save Your clips with different angle of viewing too - just select it before exporting.

4)And the last tip - once saved Your episodes don't boast and take part in the top FIFA'08 episodes contest:)

More tips: player morale, match experience, young talents

2008-01-14T14:37:00.001+02:00

Dear Z. Rishinho,

thank You for the great comment on the my tips for manager mode. Sorry that I didn't answer You in comments area but You've raised some points which are worth to be mentioned in a separate post.

One thing I learnt quickly was that investing in young players is great, especially for a side like AC Milan, who's pretty much OAP's, wrote Z. Rishinho.

I agree with You, but also want to emphasize that my experience shows to search new talents by scout is more useful in many cases. Those guys somehow have better abilities than those from Your's club academy.

Another interesting point you'd might want to talk about is match experience(which I understand), and how it relates to earning points/attributes (which I don't understand), suggests the commentator.

Match xp...So, as I understand, You know that the better the footballer play, the more xp points he gets in the ends. It also depends on the time spent on square. For example, a player had played three approximately normal matches and gained, for example, 10 points. Now You can bring him on the bench but he will still have those 10 points. Then, if You let him to play longer than just to run across the stadium, he will earn some more points. One day, after the whole this crusade, he will gain 100 xp points and his OVR will be heightened.

It is interesting that the OVR are risen altogether and here is my thoughts why. I think it depends on the player's position. Defender and forward can have the same OVR, but defender will be better in tackling, as well as forward will be better in dribbling.

The formula how different abilities sums the OVR, I guess, also depends on the player style - those icons with 10 numbered shirt, hands grabbing the ball. etc. For example, if a player is an attacking winger (an icon with running leg) who is very fast and have an amazing dribbling, perhaps at first these abilities will be heightened by xp points.

Maybe there are some more advantages with match experience in game modes like Co-op seasons but I don't play them (I've a few times already stated my opinion about playing with one footballer)

Also, what do you think is the best way to improve player morale?I've noticed changing the squad round, making so many substitutes isn't a good thing.Getting players into the team of the month? That's amazingly good.

Talking about this point I can't exclude the fact that attributes of some players (for example Sneijder) are heightened when they are taken from the positions where they got used to play (in Sneijder's case position - CM, normal rating 86) to others (Sneijer - for example in CAM his OVR is 90). However, these are only the numbers. Maybe they gain some temporary improvements but they lose the position where they fit the most.

p.s. I'm very happy that EA mistake with Alexandre Pato has helped You so much. On the other hand, I understand the creators: one scenario is they just didn't want to bother writing a programme for only one player, the other scenario - they just hadn't plan Ancelloti's human factor.

The Last Gift of the Year

2007-12-31T17:23:00.001+02:00

So today we have the last day of the year. Could there be any excuse if I didn't greet all of You? To be short, I just wanna send You all those classical regards and a few original ones. And here is my last gift this year.

Perhaps most of You have already seen or heard this song. But today Queen’s first new studio recording in ten years and Paul Rodgers’ first in 7 years, named "Say It's Not True," is officially out . Why Oueen, why here, You can ask. It is because of the "We Are the Champions".

‘Say It’s Not True’ comes as an enhanced CD single release carrying the full video shown at the December 1st 46664 Johannesburg concert. All royalties from world sales will be donated to Nelson Mandela’s AIDS cause, 46664. And that's the true spirit of giving gifts. And that's the true spirit of sports. Be happy: go in for sports and give gifts from the heart.

FIFA 08 is still in gamers' hearts

2007-12-22T12:54:00.001+02:00

Although almost three months from the first FIFA'08 release have passed, this game still sinks in high popularity. It is even still in some selling top-fives! And my poll which had got 129 Your votes, shows FIFA amuses most of You perfectly. 103 (79 %) of poll participants declared they "of course" still play this year version of FIFA. The second in popularity rank was an answer which said "I'm already waiting for FIFA'09". It gained 12 of Your voices (9%).

The army of FIFA lovers may widen cause 6 persons (4%) stated they were looking forward to buy their copies of the '08 (or maybe they'd like to find a copy under Christmas tree?).

8 voters, however, are unhappy with FIFA'08. 5 of them (3%) think it is boring and 3 (2%) do not like FIFA "as a race". (if You do not see clearly, click on the table)

What the conclusions could be drawn analyzing the results? First of all, of course here we have a little trick, cause if people come to the site about FIFA'08, they perhaps are acquainted with the game and have their own opinion about it. What is more, probably the majority of us search in the internet the things we like, not the things we hate.

On the other hand, almost the tenth of voters are already waiting for the next year version of FIFA, so there is a great possibility they are not satisfied with the game or it made them satisfied for a very short time. Therefore FIFA'09 creators should try to extend the term to keep gamers satisfied leastwise till Christmas.

Managing small and poor club - Tips for manager mode (2)

2007-12-10T13:10:00.000+02:00

Last time I tried to provide some tips for those who take rich and well-known clubs in manager mode of FIFA 08. Today I’d like to touch Cinderella growing up to Princess strategy - when You take a team from the last league and almost without budget and lead it to champion.

If You choose this way, Board of Directors will be rather calm and gentle, leastwise in the beginning. You will be asked to avoid fall to lower league (if You play in the very last league, a request probably will be to stay in the top half of the table or something like that), to win derby matches or to extend a contract with a team star (if the footballer from the semi-amateur club can be called this way).

However, Your aim presumably will be to bring Your club to the top. To set things clear, to the top in the supreme national league. Therefore You must improve not only Your gaming skills but management and administration of the club.

I don't want You to imagine me as a pure materialist, but the thing which is really essential when trying to climb this mountain is money. As a poor and unknown club, Your team won't have it. What are the solutions?

First of all, I should mention that even if everything went in the right way and You made Your club developing fast, Your budget wouldn't increase in the same tempo. I believe the mentality of sponsors in FIFA 08 (in FIFA 07 too) is programmed to estimate their proposals not for club results but for manager rating - manager prestige (a number near Your selected face in manager mode central)

Your budget can be increased by enlarging Your club's stadium (this action also needs money, but not so much in the beginning cause clubs from last leagues don't have big ones) and setting tickets price to high status. However, before making a decision go to the Office - Financial prediction and learn whether these actions will pay You back. I believe (but the only evidence is my own experience in playing FIFA'08) it depends even on the population of the town if more fans will come to the enlarged stadium. And it is proved that the the number of coming fans is tightly related to the fan support (those numbers and flag icon in the manager mode central). You should examine both fan support level and the numbers in Financial prediction before deciding whether it is useful to raise tickets price.

However, these operations have their restrictions. You cannot enlarge stadium to higher level than 10 (and it costs approximately 25 or 30 million, if I'm not wrong) and raise ticket price more than high.

Therefore the best solution for making money is the one I've already stated. Free agents market. There You can buy players for comparative low prices (cause You ought to pay only his salary) and then sell them to others clubs for their real market value and earn nice sums. It is more worthy than to send Your scout for searching new talents because as Your a club is undeveloped, a scout will have little rating and will be bring not very good footballers. However, scouting is also the way to get talents who will either good enough to play in Your team or expensive enough to sell them. I just want to highlight working with free agents is more efficient.

So You should upgrade negotiator who is strongly related with the success in the bargain with free agents. Upgrading and other staff is also highly welcome. Even if You don't notice the improvement in playing Your manager prestige will increase.

In the end, I also want to remind You don't be afraid of veterans or players with intermediate skills. As I have mentioned before, bear in mind that numbers and figures don’t show real situation even in videogames.

On the other hand, it is worth sometimes to examine Team management-Player growth. There You might find out that some of Your leaders have reached the peak of their skills and his numbers will drop in a few seasons. Then You will have to decide if it is worth to sell it and get younger player for the same or even less sum but with more talent and brighter future.

All in all, think like real businessman. Be active in buying and selling, comparing players and their contracts. Otherwise, do not forget that if You want some success the most important thing You should do is to football.

If You have got some more tips about the manager mode, You are highly welcome to share them in comments.

Tips for manager mode (1)

2007-12-03T14:03:00.000+02:00

I regularly notice that lots of people are searching for some advice about manager mode of the FIFA’08. I’ve posted a few ideas in my blog posts but now I want to shape some structure of this kind of tips and get as far as I know of this topic.

As it was mentioned here, there are different strategies of playing manager mode, but we can extinguish two most opposing ones:

1) When You take a team-Cinderella (from the last league and almost without budget) and grow it up to the Princess (champion of national league and cup and European tournaments leader).

2) When You take a well-known (perhaps yours favorite) club, buy a few your beloved players and struggle to survive pursuing everything the Board of Directors requires.

Of course, we can create a lot of in-between variants, but every strategy is the combination of those mentioned ones. Naturally, the situation can change if You get team-Cinderella and then bring it to the leaders. Every year the expectations of the Board grow and suddenly You will find Yourself trying to meet with heightened standards. But it’s obvious. Let’s better talk about some specific tips for those two “pure” strategies and then everyone will be able to take from the list the tip he or she needs.

Firstly, when You take a rich and very reputable club, be sure You will be able to reach high results immediately. The Board of the club normally doesn’t like to wait till You get familiar to the team and find optimal strategy and formation. If You lose a few matches in turn, Your season with the team could end at the very beginning. Therefore I highly recommend either to take lower difficulty level, or to take less ambitious club, or to summon up all Your skills.

By the way, here is one more tip for the start of playing with teams like Barcelona, Manchester United and so on. It maybe a little bit psychological but it works at least for me. I usually try not to change the formation or strategy of the team radically, no matter that my heart shouts me to pick Ronaldinho or Rooney right now. I do it step by step, because it seems Team Chemistry (those two gearwheels with percents) is very sensitive to that.

Despite the fact You are managing a rich club money still can be problem: You have best players, You want better ones; Board of Directors requires to sell or to buy someone; some contracts expire; etc. At the beginning You’ll be able to enlarge Your stadium (but this action also needs money) and set tickets price to high status. But these ways have their finishes and they usually appear soon enough.

Money is one of the reasons You must raise Your manager prestige (that number near Your face in the game), so attempt to win every match and meet Board’s objectives. Sometimes You’ll have to sell a few Your stars, but I know how it hurts. So I suggest You to look through the market, especially a free agents list. There You can buy players for comparative low prices (cause You ought to pay only his salary) and then sell them to others clubs for their real market value and earn nice sums.

Here is one more tip. Sometimes it is worth not to be too quick to get rid of players who are getting old and their abilities drop, especially defenders who doesn’t need as much speed as those in the front lines. Bear in mind that numbers and figures don’t show real situation even in videogames. Veterans have experience and the whole line (defenders, midfielders or forwards) is used to play and share position with them (Team Chemistry). What is more, think how often You realize whole of Your defenders potential. And finally, veterans demand lower salaries.

If You have got some more tips about the manager mode, You are highly welcome to share them in comments.

A POLL: Are You still playing FIFA 08?

2007-12-01T14:26:00.000+02:00

It's about two months since FIFA 08 was released in Europe and Australia and about one and a half since it appeared in USA.

Was it enough time for this game or it was not? Do You and Your friends still play it or You got fed up with it? Maybe You already look forward for FIFA 09? Or maybe You hadn't try to play this version yet? Finally, maybe You wouldn't play FIFA'08 even if Your life depended on that?

State Your opinion, answer in the poll on the top of the blog.

Why we play FIFA?

2007-11-24T20:10:00.000+02:00

Anonymous (perhaps a girl, I'd dare to guess) had commented one of my posts:: I don't get you guys - what is so special in that Fifa stuff??? My boyfriend keeps playing it constantly. I don't think it is interesting to spend ur spare time sitting in front of computer and playing imaginary matches. Do u guys feel like real football players then? Is it an attempt to make childish dreams come true or what?

The comment is angry enough, I should notice. However, it is very valuable because rises philosophical question why one plays FIFA. And offers some answers or, to say more accurately, gives one widely spread point of view towards sports simulation games.

Dear Anonymous, I can't claim You are absolutely wrong cause there is a vast diversity of FIFA gamers around the world and some of them in deed feel like real football players and others try to make childish dreams come true while playing. EA Sports even included Be a pro mode which is a way to make imaginary football player carrier.

However, I want to give a wider context about playing the game.

First of all, a lot of people like football, goes to watch matches to stadiums or play in Sunday leagues.

But it doesn't mean all of them wants to be real footballers. It's just their hobby, their way of spending leisure time. Those who want to have alternative life go to Second life, not FIFA.

What is more, playing FIFA series is more similar to working as a coach or as a club manager, not a footballer. Except Be a pro, in other game modes gamer controls the whole team: outside the stadium he/she buys, sells and sets position for players, works on their contracts, administrates training calendar, etc.; inside the stadium he/she manages the whole team, sets strategy and so on. All in all, trying stay in Your point of view, dear Anonymous, we should say that playing FIFA should occupy those who had childish dreams to be football club managers or coaches. However, they should prefer game "Football manager" or "FIFA manager" then.

To go further, in my opinion, playing football simulators is just one more way of loving this sport. To feel it's majesty from other corner or from above. From a special kind of inside and outside to set things more clear (if they get clearer, of course).

So, being afraid of going too far, I am going to finish. Just want to mention one more personal feature of playing FIFA. Doing that means nothing but the relaxation for me sometimes. It's an area where I can just play, make those figures on a screen running, passing and shooting without any attempts to intervene in my mind, therefore I can be with my thoughts. However, to be honest, when I'm playing in this way, my team loses more games than wins:)

New winners! Congratulations!

2007-11-19T17:49:00.000+02:00

Finally , the second voting for FIFA'08 best episodes TOP3 has finished.

And here we have the winners....

3 place. Zhenia and his clip, which got the 4th number, now gets the third place and like those in higher places will participate in the next top.

2 place. 7th start position, 7 votes and Wepeeler with his "Goal of the Month October" gets the second place.

1 place.Florentherzog and his "Del Piero goal" won second time in turn! (One more time and will begin to believe it's the best goal scored in FIFA'08 ever...:)

The new contest will be announced soon and You can participate in it by sending Your clips or links to them to or pasting their links here in comments.

Vote for the TOP till Monday

2007-11-13T18:00:00.001+02:00

Let me remind You, that the voting for the FIFA 08 BEST EPISODES ends on Monday, so You still can vote here.

The voting is expired. Look for newer voting.

Three clips here are the winners of last top and we have a few new competitors. So, please vote now and let me remind You (once more) that You can participate in the contest by sending Your clips or links to them to or pasting their links here in comments.

First three - winners form las week:

1)Florentherzog - Del Piero goal

2)Florentherzog - Nasri goal

3)Björn Olsson Rooney scores - difficult angle

Zhenia sent some clips by email

4)

5)

6)

And two goals from Wepeeler

7)Goal of the Month October

8)Koorany's GotM October 2007 2nd Entry

More than a month of playing. What can I say? (3) - Enchanced AI

2007-11-09T17:40:00.000+02:00

More than a month has gone since I played FIFA'08 for the first time and the time has come to analyse whether some of my hopes and wishes were fulfilled or not.

Here I am again after a week of holidays. Let's analyze the improvement of Artificial Intelligence in FIFA'08 (if it was improved, of course).

Enhanced AI — New defensive and positioning logic requires greater tactical expertise to break down the opposition. New AI ensures players are in the right place at the right time. Player and team traits differentiate the stars, EA Sports claimed before releasing the game. And what shows the experience?

The AI had been improved, in fact. My wish of no guaranteed situations to score became true, at least I hadn't discovered them. In this FIFA version finally I am not able to get the ball with a side midfielder or forward and run straight to the end line and then turn square to the goal and then just beat the keeper, like in FIFA'07. I haven't even found some particular points from which one can score every time if he doesn't fail with the strength yet!

However, to say the truth, I'm a little bit afraid that didn't happen because I usually play on 3th or 4th level. "Where does this fear come from?" One can ask. And I'll answer. I played one match on Amateur level recently. And won 8-0 in first game. But this fact doesn't show that I'm a great FIFA'08 gamer (unfortunately for me). It was just because You can run straight, turn left or right in front of defenders a few times and then kick the boal. 50 percent at least that it will be a goal...

On the other hand, that trick with running straight to the end line succeeded almost every time in FIFA'07, no matter of the level...

Poll results: which FIFA is better?

2007-11-01T19:29:00.000+02:00

The poll table had been hanging on the top of this page about a month. 104 voters declared their opinion and now we have heavyweight conclusion about Fifa'08, I think.

Almost three quarters claim FIFA'08 is the best. 14 of them remember FIFA'07 with nostalgia and only two think of FIFA '06 as the best member of FIFA series. Four voters are angry with the EA cause it's products for football are, in their opinion, getting worse for many years.

What the conclusions could be? First of all, to my mind, a rule the newer - the better played it's role. And it is rather logical. More new features and better graphics and better movement of players and so on couldn't make FIFA fans unsatisfied.

However, a quarter of voters liked previous products more than the new one and it is a serious signal for creators that not everything is perfect (I wrote about it a little here and here and in older posts. What is more, I'll write about it in the feature too). Imagine that somebody had bought FIFA'08 because he/she loved FIFA'07 and was disappointed in it. There will be a little miracle if he/she still buy FIFA'09. (mmm...maybe next generation FIFA would be far more attractive?...)

On the other hand, it is obvious that in spite of some criticism, the majority of gamers like new FIFA'08 version. And if it is so, no arguments are required.

VOTE FOR new TOP 3!

2007-10-30T19:30:00.000+02:00

Let me remind You, that the voting for the FIFA 08 BEST EPISODES ends on Monday, so You still can vote here.

Three clips here are the winners of last top and we have a few new competitors. So, please vote now and let me remind You (once more) that You can participate in the contest by sending Your clips or links to them to or pasting their links here in comments.

First three - winners form las week:

1)Florentherzog - Del Piero goal

2)Florentherzog - Nasri goal

3)Björn Olsson Rooney scores - difficult angle

Zhenia sent some clips by email

4)

5)

6)

And two goals from Wepeeler

7)Goal of the Month October

8)Koorany's GotM October 2007 2nd Entry

FIFA best episodes top3 winners. Congratulations!

2007-10-29T14:12:00.000+02:00

Today we have the first FIFA'08 best episodes top 3 winners. Björn Olsson's "Rooney scores - difficult angle" (1st clip) and Florentherzog with "Nasri goal" (5th clip) both share 2-3 places and the first and the hottest goes to... Florentherzog again for "Del Piero goal" (6th clip).

Congratulations! These three winners will participate in voting for the next top which starts tomorrow.You still can participate in the contest by sending Your clips or links to them to or pasting their links here in comments.

Now let's watch replies - winners again:

2-3 place. Björn Olsson Rooney scores - difficult angle

2-3 place. Florentherzog - Nasri goal

1 place. Florentherzog - Del Piero goal

A month of playing. What can I say? (2) - Custom formations

2007-10-28T15:21:00.000+02:00

The month has gone since I played FIFA'08 for the first time and the time has come to analyse whether some of my hopes and wishes were fulfilled or not.

Custom Formations feature was something great for me. Design your own unique strategy to create the perfect formation and tactics. Set each player’s exact position in the formation, and assign specific attacking and defensive runs to unlock the opposition, they said and I imagined that I'd be able to play with 4 forwards or to make my side forwards to become midfielders when defending.

And I really got some awesome opportunities, but some limitations remained. For example, I couldn't place more than 7 defenders in one formation.
However, this problem was wider discussed here. Today I want to talk about one more disadvantage (at least in PC version) of the Custom Formations, which is really irritating not only for me, I know.

When You make Your own formations of the team and go to Manager mode, forget about any improvements of Your lines. They simply are not allowed! You can buy and sell players, climb to the stronger league but Your strategy options are restricted to the situation which was before You'd chosen the team...

What is more, there is very short list of default formations for Your team in FIFA'08. That's the way how the word "custom" becomes an antonym to the word "creation"

A month of playing. What can I say? (1) - Manager mode

2007-10-27T16:38:00.000+03:00

The month has gone since I played FIFA'08 for the first time and the time has come to analyse whether some of my hopes and wishes were fulfilled or not.

First of all, I want to observe Manager Mode Improvements. The creators had promised:

1)new features include pre-season friendlies to test your team before a campaign

Hm...pre-season friendlies was new and interesting feature. However, what if do not want to play 4 pre-season games? If I want only one or even no one, cause I've been playing with the same team for the third season and just want to start playing new season ASAP? I'm left with my own troubles, then. Yes, a gamer can choose less games then four, but, for example in Spanish league, he/she loses a chance to get new players, cause the traffic season is being organised during friendly matches time...

2)new training options to hone your squad of players and dynamic board expectations that change depending on your successes … or failures

Sometimes it is great. You go to Your manager office, open the calendar and set some trainings. Sometimes one or two of Your players even gain some skills through training. However, almost always a major part of the team gets tired and then not only play worse but also the possibility of injures increases...

VOTE FOR TOP!

2007-10-22T15:02:00.000+03:00

And the day has come! Now we will launch the first voting for our competitors in the first FIFA BEST EPISODES TOP 3.

The voting is expired. Look for newer voting.

Björn Olsson was the first who provide his clips so first four episodes:

1) Rooney scores - difficult angle

2)Rooney free kick

3)Scott Carson (goalkeeper) scores

4)Cristiano Ronaldo goal

Florentherzog participates with two episodes from FIFA PS3 version:

5)Nasri goal

6)Del Piero goal

James F. sent me three goals by email and wrote this style of shooting he likes most but I can choose one of the clips cause they're so similar. So I've chosen this one:

7)Pirlo goal

And I also couldn't miss the chance to participate in the first FIFA 08 top like this

8) The keeper holds the penalty

The results will be summed up and the TOP3 will be published on next Monday. Everybody who have great videos from their FIFA 08, post link to them here in comments or send me a link or the clip itself to .

DO NOT OVERSLEEP!

2007-10-20T19:48:00.000+03:00

Don't miss Your chance! The first voting for the best FIFA'08 episodes top starts on Monday. So You still have enough time to start participating in contest by posting links of Your episodes here or sending episodes or links to them by email to

Björn Olsson was the first one who sent me some clips and here we have one of them - Wayne Ronney scoring from really difficult angle (other Björn's episodes will also be on the voting list, so if You have something better, share it).

Some tips about saving FIFA 08 replies

2007-10-18T17:50:00.000+03:00

FIFA 08 BEST EPISODES TOP!

2007-10-16T13:33:00.000+03:00

A new feature starts a new stage of fifa08pc.blogspot.com history today! From now on we will have the FIFA best episodes TOP here! This is the first top made from a few games I played today but I know You have more beautiful, more amazing and more stunning clips. So please put a link here in comments or send a link or even a file by email:

What is more, if you have possibilities provide clips from every console the FIFA'08 is available. It will be a great opportunity for all of us to compare how differs FIFA on PS3 , Xbox or PC.

And here we have the first fifa08pc top ever:

North America likes FIFA 08

2007-10-15T13:29:00.000+03:00

As I've mentioned last week, it is very interesting how FIFA'08 appearance in North America have changed the game's sales results. So now, thanks to video games blogger, we can analyze the stats of the amazon.com online sales and compare week 40 and week 41.

Nintendo Wii players in North Amercia didn't put FIFA'08 in tops and in Europe this game version got third place while it had been first last week.

EA Sports should say thanks to Xbox 360 players in America, cause they've bought enough copies to put FIFA Soccer 08 in the third place there. Europe gave FIFA third place too (second place a week before).

However, thanks a lot should be said to PlayStation players in both continents. FIFA Soccer version for PS3 debuted in the first place in North Amercia and got second one in Europe (first place last week).

A version for PS2 won first place on both sides of the Atlantic. It remained the most popular game in Europe for PS2 for the second week. There are some FIFA'08 fans among Playstation Portable players too. But the most of them live in Europe because this kind of FIFA was in tops only here - it got the same second place in week 40 and week 41.

Manager mode. What is your way?

2007-10-13T16:56:00.000+03:00

Manager mode is one of the most essential things in FIFA series because it ties You to the game and makes You play over and over again and than come back and play again. I think manager mode takes about 80 or even more percent of my playing FIFA and I guess I'm not the only one who spends so much time on that.

However, there are different strategies of playing manager mode. The most opposing ones are:

1)You take a team-Cinderella (from the last league and almost without budget) and grow it up to the Princess (champion of national league and cup and European tournaments leader).

2)You take a well-known (perhaps yours favorite) club, buy a few your beloved players and struggle to survive pursuing everything the board of the club requires.

There are a lot of in-between variants of playing manager mode, but every strategy has more or less features of those two just mentioned.

Me, for example, took a team of Hereford from the fourth English league (officially - Football League Two) last year in FIFA'07 and brought to the "Cinderella" in four seasons. However, then I got bored of the same country, same opponents and same players of my team.

Therefore, this year I've taken a team of Las Palmas from the Spanish Segunda. It should take only two years while I'd be able to play in European tournaments, I hope.

And what is Your choice and Your favorite strategy?Do you like teams-Cinderellas or teams-whales?

I want to illustrate my journey with Hereford in FIFA'07 by one of my forwards S.Fleetwood who had only 56 OVR when I started with that team, and after three seasons had 71. As the player growth predicted, he would have gain 72 of fourth seasons but I simply hadn't enough patience...

FIFA'08 coming to USA

2007-10-09T12:05:00.000+03:00

Only hours, not days left till the FIFA' 08 will appear in US. It's very interesting if Americans will buy it widely because it's a country preferring other sports. America has it's own football, therefore another football is called soccer and FIFA is FIFA Soccer'08 :)

The amazing days are coming not only for those who finally will be able to sink in this great football (soccer) game features. It also will be very interesting how the FIFA'08 coming to US will change is sells.

According to Amazon.com online sales, quoted by video games blogger, in the week 40 of this year (by the way, the week 40 (Oct. 1 - Oct. 7) was the first full-length week for new FIFA version even in Europe because the game was released in the middle of the week 39) , FIFA'08 got these results (only tops where FIFA is, are mentioned) :

Nintendo Wii

North America: 1. Carnival Games (Global Star), 2. Wii Play (Nintendo), 3. Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party (Konami).

Japan: 1. Dragon Quest Swords: Kamen no Joou to Kagami no Tou (Square Enix), 2. Dragon Ball Z Sparking! Meteor (Bandai), 3. Wii Sports (Nintendo)

Europe: 1. FIFA 08 (EA Games), 2. MySims (EA Games), 3. Super Paper Mario (Nintendo),

Xbox 360
North America: 1. Halo 3 (Microsoft), 2. Halo 3: Limited Edition (Microsoft), 3. BioShock (2K Games).

Japan: 1. Halo 3 (Microsoft), 2. Halo 3: Limited Edition (Microsoft), 3. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Spike).

Europe: 1. Halo 3 (Microsoft), 2. FIFA 08 (EA Sports), 3. Halo 3: Limited Edition (Microsoft).

PlayStation 3
North America: 1. Heavenly Sword (SCEA), 2. NBA 2K8 (2K Sports), 3. Resistance: Fall of Man (SCEA).

Japan: 1. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Spike), 2. Agarest Senki (Compile Heart), 3. Minna no Golf 5 (SCEI).

Europe: 1. FIFA 08 (EA Sports), 2. Resistance: Fall of Man (SCEE), 3. MotorStorm (SCEE).

PlayStation 2
North America: 1. Guitar Hero II Bundle (Activision), 2. Madden NFL 08 (EA Sports), 3. Final Fantasy XII (Square Enix).

Japan: 1. Dragon Ball Z Sparking! Meteor (Bandai), 2. Bakumatsu Koihana: Karyuu Kenshiden — Limited Edition (D3 Publisher), 3. Clannad (Interchannel).

Europe: 1. FIFA 08 (EA Sports), 2. SingStar Rock Ballads (SCEE), 3. SingStar ’90s (SCEE).

PlayStation Portable
North America: 1. Jeanne D’Arc (SCEA), 2. Star Wars Battlefront II (LucasArts), 3. Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow (SCEA).

Japan: 1. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (Square Enix), 2. Gundam Battle Chronicle (Bandai), 3. Eiyuu Densetsu: Sora no Kiseki SC (Nihon Falcom).

Europe: 1. Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions (Square Enix), 2. FIFA 08 (EA Sports), 3. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (Rockstar).

Chart Track, encompassing the UK, Ireland and Denmark statistics, claimed that "It's FIFA’s turn to shine as Microsoft’s ‘Halo 3’ loses some of its opening week glitz with a 79% drop in sales. EA’s ‘FIFA 08’ claims No1 in the All Formats Chart for week 40, completing a hat-trick of Week 40 No1s as it also topped the All Formats Chart for week 40 in both 2005 and 2006."

All in all, good enough start, I think. And, despite this blog doesn't advertise the FIFA '08 (as one can see it from my posts), You can buy it here from Amazon, just scroll a little bit down and look left.

In the end, here we have the cover of the FIFA'08 which will be released in USA and Mexico. What is more, You'll see Spanish cover too.

Netherlands: find 11 discrepancies

2007-10-07T16:25:00.001+03:00

If You play with Netherlands national team in FIFA 2008, You'll find eleven differences at once. And even more will wait You if You analyze the whole squad. Here we have starting lines of Netherlands national team in FIFA'08 on the left (players on bench had never been heard too) and the official Netherlands squad for the upcoming EURO 2008 qualifiers against Romania and Slovenia on the right.

Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United FC), Maarten Stekelenburg (AFC Ajax), Henk Timmer (Feyenoord).

Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (Sevilla FC), Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa FC), Urby Emanuelson (AFC Ajax), John Heitinga (AFC Ajax), Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburger SV), Mario Melchiot (Wigan Athletic FC), André Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers FC).

Midfielders: Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Nigel de Jong (Hamburger SV), Hedwiges Maduro (AFC Ajax), Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan), Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid CF), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburger SV), Demy de Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar).

Forwards: Ryan Babel (Liverpool FC), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AFC Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool FC), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid CF), Robin van Persie (Arsenal FC), Arjen Robben (Real Madrid CF).

It seems EA Sports and Netherlands football association don't love each other somehow. We can recall that one of greatest teams of the world was simply absent in FIFA'07 and FIFA'06. In recent game versions adequate squad of this team was only in FIFA World Cup 2006.
However, thank God or destiny, You can improve Your squad with international selections in FIFA 2008...

International selection and deflection in FIFA 08

2007-10-05T11:30:00.000+03:00

There is one more great feature in the FIFA 08. You can feel like a real couch and manage Your international teams in the international selections option. For example, if You don't like Ronaldinho, You can throw him away (it's a misguided example, isn't it?) from Brazilian national team and choose another player from more than thousand Brazilian footballers. Or, if You'd love to, You can return Figo to Portugal national team. And maybe another Portuguese player from more than two hundred.

However, international selections, as almost everything, has a feature to disappoint You. First of all, You can choose a team only from about 40 national teams while FIFA associates five times more football federations. What is more, somehow You can't put some players to the team, as, for instance, Romario...The Ro-Ro (Romario and Ronaldo) attacking combo can't be restored even in video game.

On the other side, we still have Ronaldinho. Let's watch some skill moves he can do, made by Hoesrr.

POLL: which FIFA is better?

2007-10-03T15:35:00.000+03:00

As I've mentioned before, FIFA series like no other EA game has strong competitors. For example, nowadays the cutthroat competition between FIFA and PES is taking part. One loves PES for it's reality, other adores FIFA for it's features, etc.

However, it is more interesting for me which FIFA version is better? Do You like Your new FIFA '08 or FIFA'07 was more astonishing? Maybe EA Sports disappoints You every year when a new game is released?

Have Your say here in comments and vote in the poll on the top of this page.

Formation with(out) restrictions

2007-10-01T12:24:00.000+03:00

The time has come to talk about custom formations in FIFA 2008. As we know, the creators bring us a new feature this year - we can design our own formation of the team. Here I've got three my first formations which are made of a half of curiosity, a quarter of experience and a quarter of humor.

You can edit the existing traditional formations and contemplate how to fit your own design of the eleven to your team strategy and players' skills. However, while playing with my created formations I discovered some disadvantages. First of all, the players don't cover the square as efficient as while playing with classical formations (let it be 4-4-2, 4-1-2-1-2, etc.). Perhaps I should experiment more with the possibilities of this feature.

On the other hand, I discovered some restrictions of the game itself. For example, I couldn't place more than 7 defenders in one formation.

One could think it had happened because of the requirement to have at least one player at each line. But my further experiment had broken this theory. No forwards, as you see:

My new FIFA 2008. What have we got?

2007-09-26T17:55:00.000+03:00

STOP! What a history of the past? A new history has stared started! I got my FIFA 08! Unfortunately, I had not much time to play and explore new features but I already have some comments. I have played only two kick-offs with MU and tried two new features: Be A Pro (when You choose one player to play) and Zone Play (when You choose one or more lines of formation to play). That was interesting, however, as I had worried, it is difficult, a little bit boring and unusual not to be able to control the whole team. What is more, I didn't like one more thing. No matter what position your selected player is playing in, with pressing E you can control the keeper. A little bit unfair, isn't it?

I explored some more sad details. Anyway, it is only a few notes as for the first time. And now You can watch my first goal in FIFA 08 scored by Tevez:

PS. When it comes to FIFA games history, I promise to write it whole someday if You want.

FIFA game history (1995-1997 versions)

2007-09-24T11:07:00.000+03:00

After the FIFA'94 success, EA developed the FIFA'95 exclusively for Sega's 16-bit console (Mega Drive, to be accurate). New version had the same engine with only minor retouches and the most essential change was the first time adding about 200 club teams to the series. Players could then play England, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, United States, Spain and Brazil leagues, tournaments and playoffs. Also new, a battery backup allowed to save up to four competitions in the cartridge, replacing passwords. And, of course, a football lottery was brought to the FIFA. The Penalty Shootout training mode was added.

FIFA'96 came with the tag- line "Next Generation Soccer" and that was the truth. The version of 1996 is the first FIFA game to feature real-time 3D graphics on the 3DO, Sega Saturn, PlayStation and PC, using technology called "Virtual Stadium". The game's commentary was also revolutionary at the time. Famous British commentator John Motson commented all the incidents and happenings on the pitch in real-time and his phrases varied enough not to make gamers bored. Another one great feature appeared then. It was the first time in the FIFA series when players had real names and positions. There were ranking, transfer and team customization tools. Thats is more, FIFA' 96 boasted eleven leagues, 59 International teams and even International tournaments such as the World Cup.

Sega Mega Drive and Super Nintendo Entertainment System versions, however, had the simply engine of FIFA'95 with updated teams and graphics (the 32X version features 3D enhanced graphics).

The main changes in FIFA'97 was the inclusion of 6-a-side indoor soccer mode and practicing possibilities. Gamers could choose between action or simulation styles, with fouls, injuries and offsides available to toggle on or off. All player moves was copied from David Ginola using the MotionBlending technology. Full interactive replays were included. It was the historical version of the FIFA series, cause commentator Andy Gray debuted in it. The same guy who comments matches in FIFA'06 and '07.

Hmm, but maybe the most vivid image would the scene from the game itself. Here we go: 6 on 6 and normal match in FIFA'97:

FIFA game history (1993)

2007-09-22T14:16:00.000+03:00

A few days have left till the FIFA 2008 will be released. Therefore I will try to fill these days of impatience with history of this unique video game.

The first version of the game appeared on the late 1993. It was named FIFA International Soccer, but also known as FIFA'94. FIFA series somehow is the most successful job of the EA sports video games, cause it had the strongest competitors. While there was no major competition when EA released both the first titles in their Madden NFL and NHL series, football video games such as Sensible Soccer, Kick Off or Matchday Soccer were being developed since the late eighties and were already competitive games in the Football video games market when EA announced FIFA. To my mind, FIFA has the strongest opponents nowadays too. For example, nobody compares NBA Live with some other basketball game, but everybody discusses which is better: FIFA or PES?

However, let's return to FIFA' 94. It has changed traditional 16-bit era games attitude to football by presenting an isometric view rather than the usual top-down view (Kick Off), side view (European Club Soccer), or bird's-eye view (Sensible Soccer). The Sega Mega CD version includes some features from the next title, and is a highly polished version of the original. A notorious bug allows the player to score directly from an apposing goal kick by standing in front of the goal keeper so that the ball rebounds off him into the net.

Released for: Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Master System, Mega-CD, Game Gear, SNES, DOS, Amiga, 3DO, Game Boy

Sit and watch FIFA 08

2007-09-19T23:43:00.000+03:00

SoOOOoo...here we have some FIFA 2008 trailers today. First of them was really first of them:

Now the one which is somehow called official:

And the last but not the least is this unofficial trailer that was made by Blue dreamer. "Not official, i made it myself because the official trailer was a bit boring and because I was bored", the creator explains.

FIFA 2008: My Own Made Trailer - Click here for the most popular videos

Some more hopes about FIFA 2008

2007-09-19T18:49:00.000+03:00

The days are dying and the F-day is getting closer and closer. Everyone of us is waiting not only the new game. We hope that some little mismatches are eliminated. So I read what EA Sports promises and just thought of it.

Enhanced AI — New defensive and positioning logic requires greater tactical expertise to break down the opposition. New AI ensures players are in the right place at the right time. Player and team traits differentiate the stars, says EA Sports.

As the AI had been improved, I hope I'll have to say goodbye to that trick which almost always guarantied a goal in FIFA'07, no matter on which level I'd been playing. I'm talking about the situation when you get the ball with a side midfielder or forward and run straight to the end line and than turn square to the goal. There are no defenders that could stop you running like that in the FIFA'07. I 'd like there would be a few in 08.

Manager Mode Improvements – New features include pre-season friendlies to test your team before a campaign, new training options to hone your squad of players and dynamic board expectations that change depending on your successes … or failures, promise creators.

Wonderful, I reflect, but have some more desires concerned with Manager mode. In FIFA version of 2007, if you manage a poor team, for example, a club from the fourth division of England, don't be naive and don't let yourself even dream that someday, when you get in the Premier League, you will be able to choose from the greatest sponsors. If the team you've got is poor, you can virtually increase your budget only by building bigger stadium. I think it's unfair and waiting for the look to the new Manager Mode version in FIFA 2008.

Football melodies

2007-09-15T12:58:00.000+03:00

Like every year, FIFA game brings us not only the new video but the new audio also. FIFA 08 soundtrack is one of its largest soundtracks ever with 50 artists representing 27 countries, they say this time.
Musicians are always glad to get into this game cause it's a good promotion. However, I think I won't buy or even load from the internet any of game's soundtrack songs ever. Why? Cause they are either famous enough before releasing the FIFA so I already know(and maybe have got them) or after a few times of hearing among electronic football matches, they associate only with the game. However this one - The Hoosiers "Goodbye Mr. A" - is one those classical ones. It's a song that has the spirit of EA Sports' FIFA. You should hear it.

As I mentioned before, FIFA'08 soundtrack has 50 artists, including Babamars (France), Bodyrox (UK), Junkie XL (Holland), and Santogold (USA), Simian Mobile Disco (UK), CSS (Brazil), Datarock (Norway), Dover (Spain), Ivy Queen (Puerto Rico), Junkie XL (Holland), Maximo Park (UK), Mexican Institute of Sound (Mexico), Planet Funk (Italy), Superbus (France), The Cat Empire (Australia), and Wir Sind Helden (Germany) and so on. Some of them You can hear and watch here. But I want tho show one more song from the soundtrack. Peter Bjorn And John from Sweden offer not only beautiful song "Young Folks" but also the wonderful video clip:

Customization. If they don't lie...

2007-09-14T18:45:00.000+03:00

The EA Sports promises a great customization in every aspect of the game on the official site. The truth can be questioned until the FIFA'08 appears, but let us believe in the creators (we are so anxious to believe, don't we?). So let's look closer at the improvements of the game and analyze them:

EA Sports boasts of new Manual Controls — Dictate the play with new manual controls for through-passing and crossing. Control the goalkeeper in one-on-one situations to deny the striker yourself. Use the right-stick to quickly switch to the exact player you want to control when defending.

We have already been controlling the goalkeeper in one-on-one situations (just press E and direction keys) since I don't remember when. But when the keeper runs close to the forward with the ball, PC just turns in auto regime. So it would be a great improvement if we could control keeper's arms and legs separately or there would be some exclusive movements. On the other hand, it will be very difficult to make exactly what you want. It's always very tough to manage too many buttons. The same problem could appear with that quickly switching when defending. I already imagine how we will swear after three or four goals against us just because of the inaccuracy of pushing the direction keys.

EA sports also say to us: Be A Pro: Co-op Season — Take on the role of a professional footballer, create your own player and test yourself in one position for an entire season. Master positioning, improve your attributes and develop into an elite player.

Yes, to feel like a real star is one the greatest pleasure that you can get from the sports simulation game. However, there are some danger too. You can lock one player and play only with him in, for example, NBA LIVE, but sometimes PC just don't give You a ball. And there are only five players on the basketball team. How many changes You will have to get the ball if You'll play in a team of 11 players?

And here we have the... Custom Formations — Design your own unique strategy to create the perfect formation and tactics. Set each player’s exact position in the formation, and assign specific attacking and defensive runs to unlock the opposition.

It is wonderful, WON-DER-FULL! Finally I got it! No more restrictions, no more pre-formulate formation. I will be able to play with 4 forwards or to make my side forwards to become midfielders when defending. That is a real freedom. I can't say nothing critical. Yes, except the fact that I won't believe before I could try...:)

The F-day is coming but demo is not the thing we need

2007-09-12T20:10:00.000+03:00

The real day of releasing FIFA' 08 has been revealed yet. It will be September or November, depending on the region, they say (I put the exact dates on the bottom of this post but I don't claim they won't change). If you want you can already try DEMO on your PC. Demos on Xbox360 and PS3 will be able from tomorrow.

However, personally me don't like demos. They are too short, too little and just make me nervous. I want the game, the large number of great teams and thousands of familiar players, not the match between two teams which the EA sports have chosen. It's a kind of marketing and making money, I know. But it's unfair. Do you agree with me?

The only significant demo of FIFA soccer was released in the year 2000. The new version of the game had the new version of using buttons. Pushing Shift + A or S or D, etc. had lost that magic power to trick the opponent as it was in FIFA'99 . Therefore the demo was very useful for me because I learned the experience of playing FIFA had changed.

After FIFA 2000 the only essential thing players could notice in the demo was graphics. Yes, graphics is important, but the game experience is vital.

And what do you think about demos?

THE LIST OF PLANNED RELEASES:

For PC, PS2, Xbox360, PSP, NDS and Wii:

Australia - September 27
European Union - September 28
USA - October 9

For PS3:

Australia - September 27
European Union - September 28
USA - October 16

Can't help waiting

2007-09-12T19:59:00.000+03:00

Recently Fifa'07 is being played more than a few months ago, I think. It's the phenomenon that FIFA soccer brings every year. In the end of the spring you get a little bit bored about the game but then the August comes and something begins to rise in the heart. You feel the new version of FIFA is coming to the shops. But before that lucky day you should do something. The weeks are long and the waiting is terrible, so you just play the older version of FIFA...

Which three episodes are the best?
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