Re: FIFA 14 - Game related talk only!
I think there's a lot of hype around the next-gen version which really just comes down to it being next-gen, with all the graphical/living worlds upgrades. Questioning Asim, who seems more positive about FIFA than PES, he seemed to feel the gameplay differences between CG/NG are "not huge".
Yes, well I'm not sure how much to trust Asim's opinion but I'm not expecting "huge" anyways. I've been let down far too many times by EA to think that.
I'm not expecting a huge leap in gameplay mechanics at least. It does look like Living Worlds might be a substantial addition, though crowds and atmosphere have never been one of my top priorities.
Between the footage I see and the impressions I read, I'm just not that convinced. I'm particularly worried about Precision Movement. A proper overhaul to player movement should have people raving about it, it should be something which absolutely alters the way you play and the way the game plays. It doesn't appear to do that, and very few people are stating that it does that.
But I guess I wonder whether there's even a necessity for Precision Movement to "absolutely alter the way you play and the way the game plays." We all know that there is inertia in FIFA. It is there, just not always. It's inconsistent, and because of these inconsistencies, when the game physics do fail it is especially noticeable and frustrating.
I want realistic player physics as much as anyone, but if I'm EA, I'm not going to massively overhaul the way the game plays and feels when they already have such a successful juggernaut in FIFA.
Still, it's hard to know who's opinion to trust. While some have reported that they didn't see a massive leap with next gen FIFA 14, others have said the opposite, mentioning that Precision Movement forced them to think more and be more considerate with their movement choices. I agree, I'm not really seeing as large a difference in the gameplay vids as I'd like to, but I've also learned to put little to no stock in these early pre-release gameplay videos.
I'm still excited about Precision Movement - excited within reason at least - and I'll continue to be until I get my hands on it for myself. And then I'm sure I'll go on to bitch and moan about it not being enough of a change.
Anyways, I'm actually the most disappointed with what we're hearing about Pro Instincts and the next gen AI improvements. I had hoped the focus would have been on improved footballing intelligence, improved team play and greater variety in how teams perform. Instead, from what Rutter has said and other interviews and press items, it sounds like this feature is more centered on player collision physics, which is where all the new animations come in. So far it doesn't sound like there's a leap in the AI "footballing intelligence" and for me, that's the greatest concern right now going into FIFA 14 next gen.
That and the fact that it looks like EA are screwing us again by giving us the same team formation/management interface. But I guess improving stadiums, crowds, and atmosphere is a better way to show off next gen tech than better menus.
Ok, i'll stop since there's separate thread for that 
