FIFA question

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Thu Oct 03, 2002 12:51 pm

I am certainly encouraged by the claim that this version of FIFA will no longer have the rubber-band ball that has been key to the inherent inferiority of the FIFA series. My question, though is about fouls.
 Anyone who likes soccer knows how important a role fouling plays in the sport. Quick, skilled players can draw fouls with ease (something I´ve seen Tab Ramos do countless times over at the swamp); tough defenders use fouls to intimidate and wear down opposing strikers; in desperation, fouls can be used to hold up play, and sometimes a yellow card is more acceptable than a 2 on1 breakaway; and, of course, games and entire seasons can turn on free kicks close to goal. All this should go without saying, but my impression (having been forced to play FIFA because Konami refuses to release its good games in the States) is that those who make FIFA don´t know that fouls even exist in soccer, much less appreciate the effect they have in the game. I mean, I averaged less than one foul per game TOTAL (for both teams) in World Cup 2003. Even when trying to foul deliberately, it was nigh impossible, and forget about working hard to earn a close free kick by drawing a foul. Plus, it seems like nearly two thirds of the fouls that did occur resulted in bookings. Obviously, simulating fouls in a video game so that they seem natural and realistic is quite a challenge. However, recent hoops and hockey games have shown that it can be done effectively and with satisfying results.
 
 Thus, the question: will FIFA 2003 have a realistic and effective role for fouls? New free kick controls are great, but rendered moot when fouls never happen! Fouls are an inevitable part of soccer, both deliberate and accidental fouls, and yet no version of FIFA that I can remember has included fouls as an important part of the game. Will this change for 2003? About how many fouls should one expect per team per match? The zero to one-half average of WC 2003, or a more realistic number, reflecting the real sport of soccer as it is played at the highest level?
 
 
 (oops- i meant to reply to the interview questions thread, not start a new one) [ This message was edited by: hugo on 03-10-2002 09:52 ]