FIFA 17 Overhauls Physical Engagements, Changes Up Set Piece Playbook

The FIFA 17 details keep rolling in! Today EA released a number of details on the game’s features on their FIFA 17 website, which includes changes to physical engagements the set piece playbook, artificial intelligence, and new attacking techniques.

There’s a lot to digest here. First off, physical play is getting an overhaul to change the way players interact on the pitch. In that area, we’ll see new pushback tech designed to innovate tapping, dribbling, physics, and defense in order to make the battle for the ball a bit more realistic. There will also be new physical interactions, and proximity based shielding.

For set piece, you’ll now be able to customize your run on free kicks to give a bit more variety to the way the ball moves. There will also be a new corner targeting system that will allow for greater precision when when passing to teammates. New penalty kicks allow for more personal penalties and greater control. Finally, use controller throw-ins will allow for better positioning on throws.

FIFA 17 will also feature a brand new artificial intelligence system that introduces “constant spacial analysis”, increasing activity as well as allowing for better movement and reactions from AI controlled players.

A number of new attack options will also be included. Driven finish, threaded through pass, driven goal kicks, and downward headers are all new to FIFA 17.

Of course, this is the summarized version. For the full rundown, you can head over to the FIFA 17 website and check out the articles on Physical Play Overhaul, Set Piece Rewrite, Active Intelligence System, and New Attacking Techniques.

EA has also released a new gameplay trailer for the game, which you can check out up top.

What do you think of the new features this year? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to stay tuned for the latest FIFA news. We’ll be checking out the game at EA Play, so you can expect to hear more then.

FIFA 17 Overhauls Physical Engagements, Changes Up Set Piece Playbook

FIFA 17 to Feature "The Journey" Story Mode

Do you like story mode in your sports games? If you do, you’ll be happy to know that FIFA 17 will be including a story mode with the game when it ships in September. The story mode has been christened “The Journey,” and will feature Alex Hunter as an up-and-comer with a legacy to live up to as the grandson of Jim Hunter.

As Alex Hunter, you’ll work your way through your Premier League career, where your actions off the pitch will have results as well. That includes a dialogue wheel, which is something that the developers seem to have borrowed from RPGs like EA and Bioware’s Mass Effect franchise.

The Journey will also feature a “true-to-life” experience by giving players a cinematic world “informed and influenced by real players.” For now, they’ve released a trailer for the new game mode along with an interview with Creative Director Mat Prior. We’ve included some of the questions from the interview below, but I’d recommend giving the whole thing a read over at the website.

Why develop a story mode for FIFA 17?

It’s a side of football we have never been able to showcase before and is something we have wanted to do for several years – give the player the experience of living a professional football career on and off the pitch. We have done an amazing job of recreating football through gameplay but up until now we have never ‘peeked behind the curtain’ and brought to life what happens off the pitch. That side of the game has become more known about in recent years through social media and the countless number of websites devoted to the sport. Fans can digest football 24/7 and have a window into footballer’s lives outside of matches that just wasn’t available before. I think it’s a side of football people are very interested in now and it’s a great opportunity to really innovate in FIFA 17.

It’s also a mode that will allow players to learn about the sport but just as importantly get familiar with the game – you can learn the fundamentals of FIFA and some of the more advanced functionality through playing. Any player that completes The Journey should not only have a great time but come out the other side with the ability to play the game at an even better level.

How long has it taken to develop The Journey?

We have been thinking about this for a long time and been plotting ideas for more than two years. We mapped out the story and all the features, then a large section of the team came together back over a year ago. Most of the EA SPORTS FIFA team have worked on an annual cycle. So for this, it was a pretty long production but at the same time, a very rewarding process.
FIFA 17 is the first in the series to use the Frostbite engine, how did it help shape developing The Journey?

Without Frostbite, a story this immersive doesn’t happen. It really gave us the means to tell the story. We built our engine around delivering authentic true to life action on and off the pitch, but with the move over to Frostbite gave us the opportunity and the tools required to create scenes and environments necessary for this kind of mode. The Frostbite engine has given us a lot of incredible games many of which featured story modes and it was the perfect vehicle for us to bring a story into FIFA.

Are you excited to see a story mode on the way for FIFA 17? Let us know in the comments or social media and be sure to stay tuned to SGO for the latest FIFA news and tips. We’ll be at E3 all week!

FIFA 17 to Feature "The Journey" Story Mode

E3 2016: What Sports Games Will We See at E3?

We’re just under a week away from E3, and we figured now would be better than ever to discuss what we’d like to see going into the trade show. Last year we talked about the sports games we expected to see at E3, and this year we’re going to do the same.

So, what games will we see at E3? Do keep in mind that, as far as we can tell, some of these may not be officially confirmed for the show this year! This list should be considered speculative as a result.

Madden 

Madden is a sports gaming staple, and one of the big pillars for EA Sports. Since EA has already started talking about some of the new features we’ll see in the game, and since EA is showing the game off at EA Play, it’s safe to say that we’ll hear more about it during their press conference this year.

As to what news we’ll get on the franchise? Only time will tell. Hopefully we’ll hear something about new game modes, but until then, you can check out our article addressing your top 10 questions on Madden 17 to get up to speed on what we know so far about the game.

We’ll be checking out the game at EA play, so we’ll have more coverage on the game for you next week!

FIFA 

Like Madden, FIFA is often considered to be one of the big EA Sports titles, with a major presence at E3 every year. The game has been confirmed for EA Play, so it’s safe to say we’ll hear more about it in Los Angeles next week.

With PES getting the jump on the franchise by talking about their game earlier, I’d expect to see EA make a big FIFA reveal during their press conference. Will that include the cover athlete for the game? I’d hope so.

Game Informer also reports that the game will be using the Frostbite engine, as the first of many EA Sports franchises to use the engine moving forward. If this is true, we’ll probably get confirmation at E3.

NHL 

Unfortunately, the cover reveal for NHL 17 has already been spoken for. Rather than reveal the cover during E3, the winner of the NHL 17 cover vote will be announced during at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 22.

There’s still a lot to talk about, but now that we know the first trailer for the game will also be featured at that event, it’s hard to see a lot of new information being presented. The game will be at EA Play, though, so you can expect to see more of the game then.

PGA Tour 

Last year marked the first time that Rory McIlroy took over as the namesake athlete for EA’s long running PGA Tour franchise. It’s a bit odd that we haven’t seen any information on another installment, since the franchise has typically seen a release window between March and July.

With June underway and E3 coming up, and with no word on a new PGA Tour, it seems like the franchise could be another no-show in 2016. If we don’t hear about the game at E3, I’m not sure we’ll get a release this year. Unfortunately, all signs point to this one being shelved again, at least for 2016.

NBA LIVE 

We already know that NBA LIVE is getting pushed back into 2017, making it unlikely that we’ll see the game at E3, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see EA talk about the delay and what they hope to achieve by delivering the game later than usual.

With the fierce competition of the much-favored NBA 2K, I think most people would agree that NBA LIVE could use a break. Still, it’d be great to hear just what EA has planned to make the game more competitive next year.

NBA 2K

We’ve seen that Kobe Bryant will be getting his own special version of the game called “Legend Edition”, but we haven’t seen much of the game itself. Based on last year, NBA 2K likely won’t be making much of an appearance at E3 if it makes one at all.

We already got a number of big reveals at the Road to the Finals, where we learned that Paul George would be the cover athlete, along with the news of a September 20 release date and a return of the Early Tip-Off Weekend.

With 2K16 featuring a number of issues, prompting the community to band together to see them fixed, hopefully 2K can deliver a much more solid product for the 2017 season.

PES 

PES 2017 is well on the way, and as our favorite soccer game in 2015, you can bet we’re excited to get our hands on the latest iteration of the franchise. Thankfully, the game is confirmed for E3, so we’ll be seeing a lot of it next week.

We’ve got plans to check out the game, you can expect to see more coverage on it soon!

We’ll be returning to E3 again next week to bring you coverage straight from the show. Are there any sports games you’d like to see this year? Let us know in the comments or on social media, and as always, stay tuned to SGO for the latest news on your favorite sports games!

E3 2016: What Sports Games Will We See at E3?

FIFA 17 Pre-Orders Live, Get FUT Tokens With Pre-Order

Earlier today, we learned that FIFA 17 would be powered by EA’s Frostbite engine, and that the game would be released in September. Now, EA has offered a list of pre-order incentives for the various editions of the game. FIFA 17 has three versions to choose, ranging from standard to deluxe, with super deluxe at the top.

Starting at the bottom, you can pre-order the standard edition to receive the following:

• Full game


• Up to five (5) FUT Draft Tokens (one (1) per week over five (5) weeks – worth up to $15)


• Eight (8) match FUT loan item of Hazard, Martial, Reus, or Rodriguez


• Custom FUT kits created by designers or FIFA soundtrack artists

If you don’t mind spending a bit more money to upgrade, the next level is the deluxe edition of the game which offers the following:

• Full game


• Up to 20 FIFA Ultimate Team Jumbo Premium Gold Packs (one (1) per week over 20 weeks – worth up to $60)


• Three (3) match FUT Team of the Week loan player (up to one (1) player per week over 20 weeks)


• Eight (8) match FUT loan item of Hazard, Martial, Reus, or Rodriguez


• Custom FUT kits created by designers or FIFA soundtrack artists

Finally, for the top tier package, the super deluxe edition will include the following:

• Digital Only


• Full game


• Up to 40 FIFA Ultimate Team Jumbo Premium Gold Packs (two (2) per week over 20 weeks – worth up to $120)


• Three (3) match FUT Team of the Week loan player (up to two (2) players per week over 20 weeks)


• Eight (8) match FUT loan item of Hazard, Martial, Reus, or Rodriguez


• Custom FUT kits created by designers or FIFA soundtrack artists

The versions of the game are priced at $59.99, $79.99, and $99.99 respectively. Those who have FIFA 16 can get a discount of 10% off of the super deluxe version by pre-ordering the game through the main menu in FIFA 16. That deal is unfortunately exclusive to the super deluxe edition. Every other version will remain at the MSRP.

If you’re picking the game up for Xbox One, you’re also eligible for a free month of EA Access, regardless of the version of the game you decide to buy.

Eden Hazard, Anthony Martial, Marco Reus, and James Rodriguez have been branded as FIFA 17 ambassadors, and will be making an appearance on the cover. You might have noticed by the items included in the various editions that every pre-order will also include special FUT loan items from one of these ambassadors.

FIFA 17 Pre-Orders Live, Get FUT Tokens With Pre-Order

FIFA 17 Powered by Frostbite, Available September

Last week, Game Informer broke the news that FIFA 17 might be featuring EA’s Frostbite engine as the first in a move to transition all of their sports games into the engine. At the time, we reported it as a rumor, thanks to the unconfirmed nature.

As it turns out though, FIFA 17 will be running Frostbite, as confirmed by EA in a press release this morning. Whether or not they’re going to be moving other games to the engine has yet to be confirmed, but it seems like a likely bet, to ensure parity among the games.

Perhaps more important in the press release is the confirmation of a release date. FIFA 17 will launch on September 27 for North America, with a worldwide launch to follow on September 29.

The game will of course also be on display at EA Play next week, with more information to be revealed during EA’s press conference on Sunday, June 12. We’ll be there to bring you coverage of the game, so you can stay tuned for that.

With the news comes a reveal trailer for the game, which you can check out up top. Are you excited to see more of the game at E3? Let us know in the comments.

FIFA 17 Powered by Frostbite, Available September

Rumor: FIFA 17 to Feature Frostbite Engine

According to a report from Game Informer, FIFA 17 might be the next sports title from EA to move over to the Frostbite engine. The engine, which was initially used by EA for first person shooters like their Battlefield series, recently found itself as the powerhouse behind Rory McIlroy PGA Tour. 

Now EA wants to move other sports franchises over to the Frostbite engine, and they’re starting with FIFA 17, if Game Informer‘s sources are to be believed. Since a number of other EA franchises are using the engine now, including Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, Mass Effect: Andromeda, and the recently announced Battlefield One, it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see EA Sports join the lineup.

Of course, right now this is just a rumor, so take it with a grain of salt. If FIFA and other franchises like Madden, NHL, and NBA LIVE decide to use the engine moving forward, we’ll probably hear more about it when EA gives their press conference at E3 this month.

That press conference will take place during EA Play on June 12, at 1 p.m. Pacific, or 4 p.m. Eastern if you’re on the eastern side of the country. We’ll be in attendance, so be sure to keep your eyes on SGO for the latest FIFA news during E3 this month.

Rumor: FIFA 17 to Feature Frostbite Engine