FIFA 09 Rumors Kick Around Internet

FIFA 08

One of EA's longest-running franchises is certainly one of its most popular worldwide, which is why millions will be anticipating the release of this year's FIFA installment. FIFA 08 was an excellent soccer title, but is it possible that this year's entry can have 251 improvements...?

Anyway, the following is a list of several big rumors that continue to float around for FIFA 09. If you want more, there's a complete list over at the Neoseeker forums.

-- FIFA 09 has an improved physics system that affects both players and the ball itself, which allows for beautiful, powerful, devastating shots and unprecedented levels of realism during a match.

-- The brilliant animation system seen in FIFA 08 is improved upon to include hundreds of new animations for players that further add to the simulation feel of the game.

-- New player faces. 3D player modeling is vastly improved and now offers unbelievable similarities to the real life counterparts.

-- Player response times have been increased to increase the flow of the game as in real life, while game speed has been tweaked from FIFA 08.

-- Overall graphics have been improved upon once again. Lighting changes in real-time depending on the time of the match. Crowds in the stadium have been redeveloped, too.

-- Visible referee, linesman, staff and dugouts. For the first time in the FIFA series referees, linesmen, subs and ground staff are all visible. All have distinct animations such as subs warming up for their arrival.

-- FIFA 09 now includes weather options such as rain and snow which change conditions during the games progression. In addition, the pitch is now affected and becomes more worn during wet matches and slide tackles.

-- As the same during every release, FIFA 09 will increase the number of licensed club and international teams as well as their official corresponding stadiums.

-- Enhanced online modes. FIFA was the first football game to allow upto 5vs5 online, and now, this is taken up a gear with full 10vs10 online. Matches now have options for simple one-player matches, 2vs2, 5vs5 and 10vs10 online games.

-- AI systems have been recoded and act far more realistically. AI now take actions based on the score and change formation as appropriate. Attacking and defensive measures are used as well as risk assessment.

-- Advanced tactics editor. Attacking and defensive styles as well as changes to formation can now be altered on the fly. Risks can be chosen as well as new changes to set pieces.

-- Less loading. FIFA is now more streamlined and more efficient and as a result there is less pause and play due to the fewer loading screens.

These rumors seem plenty plausible to us, and we can expect to see official information over the next few months. For now, these are the kinds of details that will excite soccer fans everywhere, because let's face it: FIFA may have topped Madden in terms of quality. It did last year, anyway.

Related Game(s): FIFA 09

5/24/2008 Ben Dutka

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