FIFA 14 News

[10spro]

Anyone else having problems launching the game today? As soon as the 'Autosave' feature is advertised, it kicks me back into the X1 interface. Weird.

I read that before that there is a bug in the game that does that on both systems. I think you need to just reboot your system.

Yep, it was ok after the reboot. Thanks.

[RallyMonkey]

OK, help needed. This is the first FIFA i've put a ton of time into…ever, and I'm enjoying it a ton. Here's my issue. I am 1-2-12 thus far in online season play. Offline I'm competitive, I've done all the training games, but when I get online my defense just plain sucks (my offense sucks too but I know I can practice and work on that). Defensively either I'm on the L2 trigger trying to square up only to have the guy blow past me or I'm using R2 to try and keep up and he leaves my jock on the pitch as I pull a "Top Gun"…."where'd he go…WHERE'D WHO GO??". Any suggestions or is it really just trial and error using the X, O and square tackling buttons at the right time?

[Inuyasha]

OK, help needed. This is the first FIFA i've put a ton of time into…ever, and I'm enjoying it a ton. Here's my issue. I am 1-2-12 thus far in online season play. Offline I'm competitive, I've done all the training games, but when I get online my defense just plain sucks (my offense sucks too but I know I can practice and work on that). Defensively either I'm on the L2 trigger trying to square up only to have the guy blow past me or I'm using R2 to try and keep up and he leaves my jock on the pitch as I pull a "Top Gun"…."where'd he go…WHERE'D WHO GO??". Any suggestions or is it really just trial and error using the X, O and square tackling buttons at the right time?

It's hard to play online if you are a beginner because most online players will abuse the game. Try using some more angles and a combo of the buttons. I usually use the button where you stick the foot out to stop online players.

Best advice for online is start with crummy teams when you're in seasons. That's how I started and learned the nuances of online and how to stop cheese. Start with an MLS team or Mexican team. The team rating for these teams is not very high and in my experience and the game will match the opponent to your level. If you're starting off with say Barca or Man City, then you'll get matched most likely with a much more skilled online player.

[Zeppo]

I found defending very difficult at first with this year's controls. I got so frustrated, I switched to "legacy" defending in the settings. It took me a while to realize, however, that "legacy" defending is disabled in online play, and since I pretty much only play online seasons in ultimate team mode, well, you can see I was pretty discombobulated for some time.

But now I've gotten pretty used to it. I'd echo most of what Rob says except that holding the A button is good in general as that will keep your player sort of locked onto the ball without charging it. Adding in the Sprint (RT) will then provide pressure and get you closer. The B (or X in my case with the Alternate controls) is to be used very rarely when you are in the right position. It's usually a clear stab and will get you out of position and slow to recover if used at a poor time. Also B (or X) can be used combined with Sprint if you are behind the player and it will grab at and try to use the arms to slow him down and get back in front.

Use RB to bring a CPU teammate to add pressure. This is best used right as the pass is sent off the foot (anticipate it!) and will help you intercept passes using the CPU teammates. Also it's handy to bring that in when the guy with the ball is near the touch line and turns back. But as Rob says, if you bring that extra pressure too much you will pull your CPU teammates out of position all over the place and open up all kinds of space for the opponent.

It took me quite some time but I feel pretty good about defending these days. It's certainly no longer as easy as the old Online Clubs staple of holding A. B and Sprint down all the time and watching yourself win the ball. I'm much better when I'm patient and try to corral the opponent into making too ambitious a pass attempt, or shepherding him into a good double team opportunity.

I wrote that about the 360 version, but it pretty much is still valid in the Xbine version. I feel like I'm pretty effective now with defending as I've become much more accustomed to the new controls and also I feel that the Xbone version is tighter and much better. I don't ever see anyone cheese me in this game in FUT online seasons or tourneys.

One key tactic that I use a ton is holding the Shoot button (I use alternate so that's the X but for standard controls it's B) along with the R-trigger sprint when I'm behind the guy with the ball. This will engage the arm pulling and shirt tuggkng and such which will slow the guy down, and it's markedly different than the distinct stab that occurs when hitting the Shoot button when you are face to face with the man on the ball.

But essentially the key to defending in football is to clog the passing lanes and block the shot. Don't get too obsessed with always trying to dispossess the guy with the ball but rather make it hard for him to find easy passes and then usually he will force a bad pass or try a shot which you can block. It's much more like defending in hoops, where if all you did was try "steal steal steal" every second you'd get blown by for easy buckets, than like American football where you have to hit the guy with the ball as soon as you can.

Hope this helps some. There was a discussion of this very issue back on page four I believe from which I grabbed this quote.

[RallyMonkey]

Well that's what I get for being a lazy POS and not looking through all pages. Sorry guys, but thanks for the help. I'll go back and check out that discussion and try out your suggestions. I'm enjoying this game a ton and just don't want to get so frustrated with losing that I give up on it because it's so good.

And interestingly, like you say Zep, where as in NHL our frustration grew because we felt like we were just getting cheesed to death online, in FIFA I'm losing but not because of cheese, just because I suck and I know improving myself will allow me to get some wins.

[RallyMonkey]

Well a huge thank you to Inuyasha for the drop level suggestion and Zep for the shoot button and R2 suggestion. Those have made a huge difference as since I've dropped down (playing with Torino) I'm 4-2-3. Not great, but certainly better than the 1-2-12 start I had. Thanks again.

[fanatic]

For those of you playing single player Manager Mode....

What difficulty level do you play this one on?

Being completely new to the FIFA series, I decided to go with "Professional" in my Spurs franchise. About 10 games in, and I'm sitting 3rd with mostly very realistic results for goals scored and conceded.

My only complaint is that it seems a bit too easy to maintain possession....kind of "too comfortable" if I had to sum it up.

Last night, I bumped it up to World Class, and was completely over-matched. The possession was probably quite balanced, but I was getting scored on with far too much ease. I was simply unable to cut down the attack in the final third.

Is there an in between option with sliders you think? Thanks!

[Murph]

For those of you playing single player Manager Mode....

What difficulty level do you play this one on?

Being completely new to the FIFA series, I decided to go with "Professional" in my Spurs franchise. About 10 games in, and I'm sitting 3rd with mostly very realistic results for goals scored and conceded.

My only complaint is that it seems a bit too easy to maintain possession....kind of "too comfortable" if I had to sum it up.

Last night, I bumped it up to World Class, and was completely over-matched. The possession was probably quite balanced, but I was getting scored on with far too much ease. I was simply unable to cut down the attack in the final third.

Is there an in between option with sliders you think? Thanks!

I manage a club on World Class with no slider adjustments. I used to play on Pro, but the scores were getting out of hand. I'd be winning 7-0, etc. On World Class, 3-0 is the norm.

I started out in Football League 2 and worked my way all the way up to BPL.

I'm a big MLS guy, but in this game, you'd be crazy not to play in Europe, with Chapions Cup, Euro League, multiple domestic cups, (depending on the league). Not to mention simultaneously managing a national team.

[Inuyasha]

For those of you playing single player Manager Mode....

What difficulty level do you play this one on?

Being completely new to the FIFA series, I decided to go with "Professional" in my Spurs franchise. About 10 games in, and I'm sitting 3rd with mostly very realistic results for goals scored and conceded.

My only complaint is that it seems a bit too easy to maintain possession....kind of "too comfortable" if I had to sum it up.

Last night, I bumped it up to World Class, and was completely over-matched. The possession was probably quite balanced, but I was getting scored on with far too much ease. I was simply unable to cut down the attack in the final third.

Is there an in between option with sliders you think? Thanks!

I started out like you but PRO got too easy. Then World Class was too hard. But try this, it's a simple fix on World Class :


Turn down CPU Sliders for Speed/Accel down 5 clicks to 45.

I get a good variety of games on this.

[fanatic]

For those of you playing single player Manager Mode....

What difficulty level do you play this one on?

Being completely new to the FIFA series, I decided to go with "Professional" in my Spurs franchise. About 10 games in, and I'm sitting 3rd with mostly very realistic results for goals scored and conceded.

My only complaint is that it seems a bit too easy to maintain possession....kind of "too comfortable" if I had to sum it up.

Last night, I bumped it up to World Class, and was completely over-matched. The possession was probably quite balanced, but I was getting scored on with far too much ease. I was simply unable to cut down the attack in the final third.

Is there an in between option with sliders you think? Thanks!

I started out like you but PRO got too easy. Then World Class was too hard. But try this, it's a simple fix on World Class :


Turn down CPU Sliders for Speed/Accel down 5 clicks to 45.

I get a good variety of games on this.

Thanks! I will definitely give this a try...you usually never know how much/which sliders to adjust without a lot of trial and error, so I appreciate the feedback.

[10spro]

This slider on WC settings works pretty good.

http://fifasoccerblog.com/blog/orions-n ... lider-set/

[fanatic]

This slider on WC settings works pretty good.

http://fifasoccerblog.com/blog/orions-n ... lider-set/

Thanks...I remember trying these when I bought the game. Believe I got beat quite badly, but I'll definitely give them another shot. Maybe they will still work well with semi-assisted controls, as full manual seems a bit intimidating!

[RobVarak]

No particular reason, but this was a beauty of a goal that we scored the other night in Clubs. It was actually a CPU scrub who put the volley in, but it was so damn pretty.

[TheTruth]

Nice! Wish I could get in on some club play.

[Zeppo]

Nice! Wish I could get in on some club play.

Maybe tonight? I jumped over to the Indiana boys team but would love to play with the Old Boys again as well.

[Zeppo]

Anyone up for Old Boys club games tonight (3/10)? I'll be on by 10 EDT. I can hop back into the DSP club if you guys are around.

[10spro]

Anyone up for Old Boys club games tonight (3/10)? I'll be on by 10 EDT. I can hop back into the DSP club if you guys are around.

Won't be able that early, but will see if you're still around after midnight EDT.

[RobVarak]

Anyone up for Old Boys club games tonight (3/10)? I'll be on by 10 EDT. I can hop back into the DSP club if you guys are around.

I've got a meeting at 7PM Central, but I'll be on afterward...probably about 10:30 Eastern at the earliest, though.

[greggsand]

I loving this game like no other (Xbox 1). I've never played a fifa game before (beyond a demo). So, I can't get the game where anywhere between 'too easy' (where I blow by guys & outshoot the other team 24 to 3) or "impossible to score" (where I get smothered to search by the AI & nearly every game ends in a 1-1 draw), I'd love to have games where we could both get chances & breakaways, but even on the tougher settings the AI refuses to even attempt a shot unless it's a near slam dunk (super conservitative). So even if I make the AI 'better' it doesn't equal more scoring by the AI - just less scoring by me. Anyone else have this problem?

I'm playing as Bayern. So I am more loaded with talent than most teams in that league, but just can't find a balance between too easy or too tough.

[Rodster]

I loving this game like no other (Xbox 1). I've never played a fifa game before (beyond a demo). So, I can't get the game where anywhere between 'too easy' (where I blow by guys & outshoot the other team 24 to 3) or "impossible to score" (where I get smothered to search by the AI & nearly every game ends in a 1-1 draw), I'd love to have games where we could both get chances & breakaways, but even on the tougher settings the AI refuses to even attempt a shot unless it's a near slam dunk (super conservitative). So even if I make the AI 'better' it doesn't equal more scoring by the AI - just less scoring by me. Anyone else have this problem?

I'm playing as Bayern. So I am more loaded with talent than most teams in that league, but just can't find a balance between too easy or too tough.

Welcome to the wonderful world of EA's FIFA

[Sudz]

Same situation here. I'm a tweener too.

[10spro]

I pre-ordered my copy already. Demo for WC 2014 is out for both PS and Xbox.

[10spro]

Played a couple of games and I enjoyed them. While gameplay seems a bit quick for my taste, the game is marketed for the general audience so I changed to the slower pace. Compared to the original Fifa 14 on the 360, the AI seems to give you a bit more space to build your plays and they've toned down the headers. Yeah.

There's a country representing each continent and while many may wonder if it's worth another $60 for a footie game, I would wait until it goes down to $40, but that won't happen until after the WC is over.

Great atmosphere and improved intros, there are new GK animations and celebrations and the fly ins over the stadiums are nice to see.

Visually it's a step down from the Xbone but overall I enjoyed the demo.

[Inuyasha]

Any info when they will add an add-on to the next gen game for WC?

[Murph]

Any info when they will add an add-on to the next gen game for WC?

I think I remember them saying they would add stuff to FUT. That's about it for us PS4 and XBOne versions.

I wish they'd just release a digital download at least.