“Visually, this is the biggest step the FIFA franchise has ever taken,” says David Rutter, the Executive Producer for the EA SPORTS FIFA franchise. FIFA 15, this year’s installation of one of the biggest sports game franchises in the world, is set to set itself apart once again with more refinement to the game’s ball physics system, player biomechanics and now, an all-new Living Pitch feature.
FIFA 15, like its previous iterations, promises increased realism in terms of ball physics and player agility and movement. This time around, it is extending that realism beyond those aspects, and this is called the Living Pitch feature. As the match progresses, EA claims that boots and hard slide tackles will leave their mark as each match progresses, while players will get dirt and mud stains on their jerseys. In addition, the new Authentic Player Visuals feature allows each player to have a unique attitude or feeling towards everyone else on the pitch and will react accordingly during the game’s events – frustration after missed passes, anger with hard tackles, and excitement when chances are taken. In total, EA says there are over 600 reaction animations.
Greater realism is achieved with the new Man to Man Battles, which rewards proper defending techniques. On top of that, new shoulder barges, shirt pulling, and big fall physics allow players to feel the battle making dispossessing opponents more rewarding than ever. Further, a new player model and rigging system makes every athlete look and feel athletic, lean, and true to their natural form, making them resemble their real-life selves even more.
FIFA 15 will be available from September 23 in the North American market, while a European release is slated three days later. Pre-orders can be made from today, which includes about $40 in exclusive in-game content from FIFA Ultimate Team. Another point of note is that FIFA 15 will be available for the PS4, Xbox One and the PC, all of which will run on EA’s Ignite Engine. A version of FIFA 15, running on an older engine, will be made available for the older platforms, namely the PS3, Xbox 360, PS Vita, and the Nintendo Wii and 3DS.
