FIFA Soccer 08 Producer Q&A
We talk to EA producer Tim Tschirner about the Wii version of FIFA Soccer 08. First screens inside.
In our initial look at FIFA Soccer 08 for the Nintendo Wii, we introduced some of the new features and controls that will be part of the game. However, one of things we didn't know is that the game will be the first EA Sports game to introduce Nintendo Mii characters into gameplay, particularly the party games included with the game. To celebrate this fact, the producers behind the game have included one of the most recognizable soccer stars in the world--FC Barcelona's own Ronaldinho--as a Mii in the game. You'll be going up against Ronaldinho Mii in the various minigames in footii party mode. To get more details on this mode, the Ronaldinho Mii, and how the game is coming along, we spoke with FIFA 08 Wii producer Tim Tschirner.
GameSpot: Before we talk "football," let's talk American football. EA Sports debuted on the Nintendo Wii last year with Madden NFL 07. Did you have much interaction with the team behind that game, and if so, what kind of lessons learned have been brought to the development of FIFA Soccer 08 for Wii?
Tim Tschirner: Before we started development, we spent quite a bit of time with the members of the Madden NFL 07 Wii team. They had a lot of great information to share with us, both on the design side and the technical side. On the design side, we were able to take away a lot of invaluable information around gestures; for example, what worked well, what didn't work so well, things they tried that weren't feasible, etc. On the technical side, we were able to share quite a bit of their low-level code and libraries.
GS: When we saw the game in May, the control scheme wasn't finalized yet. Have there been any important changes to the controls in the game since then that we should know about?
TT: We have a really cool feature that we have added to the game since I first showed you FIFA Soccer 08 on the Wii in May. At this point, I am not able to go into more details other than to say we have created an innovative new way to play the game, and it's especially great if you're new to FIFA or want to play with or against someone who doesn't know the game or the sport as well. It will allow players of all skill levels to play together and share the experience.
Some other additions to the controls that I can go into details on are directional passes and directional player switching. Regular passes are executed by pressing the A button; if you hold down the A button, you can do a gesture in one of the four main directions (up, down, left, or right) and the player will pass in that direction. To switch players on defense, you also use the A button; if you hold down the A button and do a gesture, it will switch to the player that is positioned in that direction. In addition to using the A button and a gesture, you can use the D pad. The directional passing also works for through-passes by holding down the B button and then doing a gesture. We also integrated functionality to curve the ball by twisting the Wii Remote to the left or right when you flick upward to take a shot.
GS: Did the team ever come up with any strange or unusual control ideas that didn't make their way into the game?
TT: At the beginning of development, we discussed the idea of attaching the Wii Remote to your foot to execute passes and shots that way. We constructed a prototype by taking a sock and sewing a pocket to the side that housed the Wii Remote. While it worked technically (it detected passes and shots accurately), it felt really awkward to stand up and take kicks into the air. In addition, your knees and ankles would start hurting after a while, so in the end, we abandoned the idea.
105 comments
I like the idea of having a separate party mode for the mii's, my only concern now is how the controls are going to work.
i stii cant believe that some people are still moaning about the miis being in the game and it looking cartoony, have you even read the article, the miis are for in game mini games, the main football game will use real realistic players so stop moaning.
The Wii is a party console and i like the direction some of the games are going. There are a few games that focus on single player, but a lot of these games that are party games are fun especially with four people. What the developers are doing for the wii are unique and because its not powerful in any way, they make the games more engaging and interactive to the point where you can just sit down and play them well. I give them props.
I like the way you are allowed to integrate your Mii into the game. Awesome idea, but i'm so tired of 90+ percent of nintendo games looking like a saturday morning cartoon. I'm also tired of all the confusion going on over at Nintendo's headquarters. the company created a reputation of being solely dedicated to gaming, made the Wii look mature, and promised to be devoted to wide audiences but, so far 90+ percent of Wii software seems to be "Saturday morning cartoony" and uninspired. Not to mention that the system's software library also appears to be lacking. With these truths, people are losing faith, cause in the end, it's all about the games. Shame on Nintendo's marketing branch.
We may suck at kicking a spherical ball, but we don't lack the ability of kicking your @$$ :D
if they make the motion capturing too sensitive..most americans won't get the foot attachment lol...they can't kick non-deformed balls...
Whats with the cartoony graphics? Nintendo games always do this. I know it is suppose to be a 'family entertainment console' but you got to attract the mainstream gamers (boys/girls aged 16-25). Most of them aren't going to want to play with cartoony graphics. I'll be getting it though if PES doesn't come out on wii.
I think that EA (surprisingly) have really embraced the wii for all that it is - different, the mii's look well implemented and almost supplementary to wii sports, i think it would be nice to see or unlock more real player mii's. The wiimote/foot attachment sounds excellent even if it wasn't used for the full game and just used in some of the footii mini games. I probably won't get this until ive tried the controls they sound a little awkward compared to mario stikers charged, that and i'm not really a football fan.
this is so stupid and immature, just look at that faces, that dude was right the wii wont make 2007 or 2008. ps3 and xbox wins.
U know what u ingreatful narrowminded ingreates??!!? If u don't like it... DO NOT BUY IT!!! I for one am getting this... I think Nintendo is doing the right thing... it is bringing fun in the house which is what an entertainment buisness should be doin... If u wanna buy a PS3 then caugh up the dough and buy it (I'd rather buy a new PC with that money)... Furtheremore I get the feeling that Nintendo is showing signs of maintaining their domination of the console war... time will tell.
lol this game is dumb. Mii Ronaldinho doesn't even remind me of the real ronaldinho. Wii is 4 babyes. The grhaphics are terrible.
It's amazing... people hate the Wii for being different, then complain when other systems don't offer variety. They complain about the Wii's graphics then turn around and whine when a pretty game has lousy gameplay. Make up your damn minds.
Quite a different from the FIFA series' graphic when most of the recently FIFA games always try to make it as detail as possible. Look at the cute Ronaldinho :) But where is his unique jaw :)) ?
and ppl compare the wii to xbox 360 and ps3???!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA like ive said the wii is jus a baby console wiv gamecube graphics its time for nintendo to sit out.
y do people buy sports games. All it is is game after game of the same stuff with better graphics and little pointless add ons. At least this game actually tries to change it up and make sport games really fun again. lol even if the miis do look kinda stupid, in a funny way. Im rooting for this one
This is great!!!!! Finally a FIFA game for the Wii, I was waiting for it for so long, I'll buy it the first day it comes.
I really like that EA isn't just doing a straight port for the Wii. This approach makes a lot of sense: port the core game and then add features and game modes unique to the Wii. Good work EA!
It looks great, the Ronaldinho Mii looks really funny! I hope you can change the camera view and make it like a normal footie game!!
Its funny how people are just plain stupid they see a picture and jump to conclusions. It clearly states the mii form is for party play and then if you look at the images it has one oh by the way its the first pic that shows real play. Its nice to see that evolution is still in play and making people smarter.
Ah, for crying out loud....There has to be a line somewhere. I mean, I agree. Let them try the idea, but for gods sake. Do it behind closed doors. So that when we actually first see the game we get suspicious and then excited when we realize what awesomeness they've really done. Seems to me that this will be another, r-i-g-h-t on.
im sorry but theyve kiddied fifa the control scheme (pass and direction with the remote) seems clumsy at best, plain up dumb at worst. we'll see, but this is what is going to start happening to all the wii games. Kiddiefied!
does anyone ever read the article before they moan about a game that isnt even finnished yet, the guy said the miis will be used in party games so that mean the main football game will use regular players. i think its about time something new was brought into football games but im not saying the controles for the wii will work but give them a chance. im getting fed up at playing the same footie game every year or twice a year all they ever do is change or add a small little change that footie fans go " wow ive got to buy that", but the game ends up the same old stuff as before. so give it a chance befor u slate it or wait for the gamespot review which is wot ill be doing.
Bry, my bad on that one, I see what he means. It's just amazing at the amount of comments that imply that the game is going to be entirely made up of Mii's and that the controls stink, the game isn't even finished yet, at least wait until it's released to bash it, and at LEAST read what this site provides you.
Ummm MFCocca he is talking about the Wii as a console, he is saying the Wii sucks, which i think its cool but not enough FPS games for me (and I played COD3 it was disappointing for the Wii).... And no offense to metroid fan boys but i hate that game.
they have to try, right?it's not the company's fault that the Wii uses the wiimote and has graphical limitations. Everything has its pro and cons, but i do think the Wii has more cons in this current game market thanks to the "extremely" dedicated companies. This game will introduce some aspects which can actually work, and if this game will suck, then just wait for Fifa 2009. No big deal. I just don't wanna see any system ostracized just because of one or other aspect. everyone wanted Sega to be doomed before, and now we regret it. Ah, jmm0070, u are so polite and modern. That was an excellent essay about urself to the world ... No further comments deserved.
hey don't get me wrong, i love my wii and its games are amazing, with awesome controls and gameplay. I think the other consoles suck, are just boring and are the same thing than before. But this game will suck. i hate the miis. well wii sports is a great game and really fun, but this game is not even going to have a good use of the wiimote! pure crap. it would have been good if the control had been attached to the feet but they were gays and just said "ouchiee my knees are hurting!". Homosexuals. your so gay as those lazy fat guys who play ps or xbox cause they don't dare to move an arm or a leg. Believe me, after 5 matches of wii boxing in rank 1700+ (opponents don't change alot then, at least until where i am in 2350, except for the champ who's really difficult the first time :O) your arms get hurting for hitting the air so hadr and you might begin sweating and get tired, but thats the good stuff of the wii. Please eliminate this game. it will suck. it will be so boring as in the other consoles. But anyone who tells that the wii sucks is just a no life fatass retard that only cares about stupid graphics that already reached what they needed in the past generation. anyways this game will suck, controls suck and the use of miis suck, it will be too simple.
Conversation powered by Livefyre
Review Scores
Game Info
- Release Date: Sep 28, 2007 (EU)
- PEGI: 3+
- Release Date: Sep 28, 2007 (EU)
- PEGI: 3+
Hot Forum Topics
FIFA 08 Navigation
Games You May Like
- Promoted Title
Neverwinter (PC) 
Users who looked at content for this game also looked at these games.
See More Similar Games
