I've been playing the FIFA series for a several years now on PS2 and with each year's improvement the games seem to ache for more necessary improvements. A never ending cycle I suppose. Here is a definitive list of improvements for 06. Hopefully some of these are already on EA's list:
Game Play:
• Improve the user's defensive AI!!! It's always been ridiculous how much more aggressive and anticipating the AI is of the "computer" is over the user. This was fine when the game was "arcade", but if EA is advertising simulation then this "computer" advantage needs to be corrected. Defensive AI should improve so that the user has tactical option of having players cover for each other. If the user brings a fullback up into attack then a midfielder would fall back to cover. Outside backs should also be smart enough to pick up the wingers of the other team - they currently fall in and cover the center.
• Bring back the "call in the extra defender" function from 04. It doesn't exist or doesn't work for PS2.
• Bring back the ability to bring a player to a stop and walk with the ball
• The off-the-ball control is much improved from 04, however the player with the ball can not sprint while moving other players off the ball. That should be fixed.
• Make the invisible ref visible throughout the game.
• Enhance the coaching AI. In 03 the computer's team would actually make tactical substitutions (or just for the sake of making a substitution) rather than only when a player gets injured. The coaching AI/team tactics/strategy AI should also be more diverse from team to team – different formations, different styles of play, and certainly bring in subs when key players are not performing well or when they're running low on steam. In addition to this have increased aggressiveness when rival teams are playing — at least mention something when teams like West Ham and Millwall go against each other. Beyond skill and jersey color, the user should not feel like they are continually playing against the same opponent
• Work out all the commentary bugs! Ally and John often declare your team in first when you're not, or that you have the title locked when you don't
• More stadiums would be better, but how about John and Ally being able to say the names of every team? And why can't they at least say the names of the goal keepers? Will the game explode if they do?
• Fix the bug that changes your players position around when you change your tactics or formation. There's no reason if I change from defensive to neutral that my center back should switch with the left fullback.
• Let the user have the option of creating their own formation
• Have some sort of better league winning celebration animation - after so many games, we need more celebration to validate our accomplishment.
• For substitution, (both player and computer), have an animation of the players switching and have the stadium announcer make the announcement in the language the user sets for the game.
• Have a short pass option from corner kicks and the option to take quick free kicks
• Make fitness endurance more accurate, there's no reason why the outside full backs should tire faster than midfielders
• Is it possible with current platforms to improve the graphics enough so that player's hair has movement to it?Every player with dreadlocks looks like they are wearing a helmet.
Career Mode:
• The ability to loan players from other teams and loan out your own.
• I like getting a little money with every win, but the user should get a SIGNIFICANT funds reward for things like: promotion (in reality a team promoted to the EPL receives £25 million), qualifying for europe, and winning a cup. Accomplishing these goals should reward the user by being able to upgrade their squad – and to do so more than by boosting their skill ratings by 1 point. ALSO, the money for each win and draw should be scaled according to which league the user's team is in, and if they are in the top division. An EPL win should be worth a lot more than a division 2 win.
• Crowds in the home stands should corollate with success of the club.
• Along with board reaction, there should be supporter reaction which would factor into job security
• Instead of the annoying offers from other teams trying offload a player that pop up while the transfer window is open – create a section within the "Transfer Market" where the user can see existing offers with a direct link to see the players' profiles. Why would anyone agree to those offers without being able to view their profiles?
• Add the option to loan and loan out players to and from other teams
• Put the Practice option in the user team's "home" menu. Practicing takes place between games right? Why should the user have to exit the season to do so?
• PUT NATIONAL TEAMS IN PLAY! Extend careers to national team coaching positions where qualifying/winning regional cups and WC is the goal, with LOTS of pressure to perform. Here the user would have to continually track the performances of all the different national players on their club teams in order to make the best selection, schedule friendlies, and train for the big matches. (I'd pay more if this was integrated into the series).
• The board of directors should offer multi-year contracts but with the chance of getting sacked in mid season.
• If a players morale is down for too long or if the user team gets sent down at the end of a season some of the players should request transfers.
• Introduce Call Ups — have national-team players leave from time to time from their club teams during the season.
• Bring back league leader stats and if any of your players become a top goal scorer or your keeper allows the fewest goals their value should increase significantly and the user should win some EA Store points/unlock items.
• Add the AFA (Asociación del Fútbol Argentino). This league runs 3 divisions deep (division 1 & 2 would be fine), and is filled with the most quality players in the entire America's. Teams like Boca, River Plate, Indpendiente, and Racing deserve their own stadiums. If a club from the Mexican, Brazilian or Argentine league finishes top, then they should qualify for the Libertadores tournament (using the correct group home and away format) in which teams like Penerol, Sporting Crystal, Bolivar, etc. would be included.
• Incorporate the new Club Championship Tournament scheduled to begin at the end of this year.
• Use CORRECT tournament formating and rewards. For example with the English Cup (FA cup) if the game is a draw, then there's a replay at the visitor's teams home ground. And if a team wins the EPL's league cup (Carling Cup) then they earn a UEFA cup slot. If the winner qualifies for europe through league placement at the end of the season then the spot goes to the second place team.
• Sell Total Club Manger for US consoles or better yet, package them together! It has been very torturous to see TCM advertised within the game while knowing it's not available to me.
Support
• If the manual can't be more thorough, then EA's website should offer more answers to things like: what factors/stats determine a player's form?
Game Play:
• Improve the user's defensive AI!!! It's always been ridiculous how much more aggressive and anticipating the AI is of the "computer" is over the user. This was fine when the game was "arcade", but if EA is advertising simulation then this "computer" advantage needs to be corrected. Defensive AI should improve so that the user has tactical option of having players cover for each other. If the user brings a fullback up into attack then a midfielder would fall back to cover. Outside backs should also be smart enough to pick up the wingers of the other team - they currently fall in and cover the center.
• Bring back the "call in the extra defender" function from 04. It doesn't exist or doesn't work for PS2.
• Bring back the ability to bring a player to a stop and walk with the ball
• The off-the-ball control is much improved from 04, however the player with the ball can not sprint while moving other players off the ball. That should be fixed.
• Make the invisible ref visible throughout the game.
• Enhance the coaching AI. In 03 the computer's team would actually make tactical substitutions (or just for the sake of making a substitution) rather than only when a player gets injured. The coaching AI/team tactics/strategy AI should also be more diverse from team to team – different formations, different styles of play, and certainly bring in subs when key players are not performing well or when they're running low on steam. In addition to this have increased aggressiveness when rival teams are playing — at least mention something when teams like West Ham and Millwall go against each other. Beyond skill and jersey color, the user should not feel like they are continually playing against the same opponent
• Work out all the commentary bugs! Ally and John often declare your team in first when you're not, or that you have the title locked when you don't
• More stadiums would be better, but how about John and Ally being able to say the names of every team? And why can't they at least say the names of the goal keepers? Will the game explode if they do?
• Fix the bug that changes your players position around when you change your tactics or formation. There's no reason if I change from defensive to neutral that my center back should switch with the left fullback.
• Let the user have the option of creating their own formation
• Have some sort of better league winning celebration animation - after so many games, we need more celebration to validate our accomplishment.
• For substitution, (both player and computer), have an animation of the players switching and have the stadium announcer make the announcement in the language the user sets for the game.
• Have a short pass option from corner kicks and the option to take quick free kicks
• Make fitness endurance more accurate, there's no reason why the outside full backs should tire faster than midfielders
• Is it possible with current platforms to improve the graphics enough so that player's hair has movement to it?Every player with dreadlocks looks like they are wearing a helmet.
Career Mode:
• The ability to loan players from other teams and loan out your own.
• I like getting a little money with every win, but the user should get a SIGNIFICANT funds reward for things like: promotion (in reality a team promoted to the EPL receives £25 million), qualifying for europe, and winning a cup. Accomplishing these goals should reward the user by being able to upgrade their squad – and to do so more than by boosting their skill ratings by 1 point. ALSO, the money for each win and draw should be scaled according to which league the user's team is in, and if they are in the top division. An EPL win should be worth a lot more than a division 2 win.
• Crowds in the home stands should corollate with success of the club.
• Along with board reaction, there should be supporter reaction which would factor into job security
• Instead of the annoying offers from other teams trying offload a player that pop up while the transfer window is open – create a section within the "Transfer Market" where the user can see existing offers with a direct link to see the players' profiles. Why would anyone agree to those offers without being able to view their profiles?
• Add the option to loan and loan out players to and from other teams
• Put the Practice option in the user team's "home" menu. Practicing takes place between games right? Why should the user have to exit the season to do so?
• PUT NATIONAL TEAMS IN PLAY! Extend careers to national team coaching positions where qualifying/winning regional cups and WC is the goal, with LOTS of pressure to perform. Here the user would have to continually track the performances of all the different national players on their club teams in order to make the best selection, schedule friendlies, and train for the big matches. (I'd pay more if this was integrated into the series).
• The board of directors should offer multi-year contracts but with the chance of getting sacked in mid season.
• If a players morale is down for too long or if the user team gets sent down at the end of a season some of the players should request transfers.
• Introduce Call Ups — have national-team players leave from time to time from their club teams during the season.
• Bring back league leader stats and if any of your players become a top goal scorer or your keeper allows the fewest goals their value should increase significantly and the user should win some EA Store points/unlock items.
• Add the AFA (Asociación del Fútbol Argentino). This league runs 3 divisions deep (division 1 & 2 would be fine), and is filled with the most quality players in the entire America's. Teams like Boca, River Plate, Indpendiente, and Racing deserve their own stadiums. If a club from the Mexican, Brazilian or Argentine league finishes top, then they should qualify for the Libertadores tournament (using the correct group home and away format) in which teams like Penerol, Sporting Crystal, Bolivar, etc. would be included.
• Incorporate the new Club Championship Tournament scheduled to begin at the end of this year.
• Use CORRECT tournament formating and rewards. For example with the English Cup (FA cup) if the game is a draw, then there's a replay at the visitor's teams home ground. And if a team wins the EPL's league cup (Carling Cup) then they earn a UEFA cup slot. If the winner qualifies for europe through league placement at the end of the season then the spot goes to the second place team.
• Sell Total Club Manger for US consoles or better yet, package them together! It has been very torturous to see TCM advertised within the game while knowing it's not available to me.
Support
• If the manual can't be more thorough, then EA's website should offer more answers to things like: what factors/stats determine a player's form?
