Tiger Woods 13 PGA TOUR and CE Info

[Diablo25]

This isn't what I'd call Career mode, but it's sort of a blend of career mode & Live Tournaments based on a few clues and hints:

I noticed this "tip" screen being displayed during a load in the video at GiantBomb.com:

"To manage your team or create a Custom Club Live Tournament, visit the EA Sports Country Club website."

As I'd suspected, we are going to get to have custom live tournaments using the as yet undisclosed (in detail) Online Country Club feature. What I wasn't expecting was what the second part of that tip said - "visit the EA Sports Country Club website". It sounds like we're going to get to manage and monitor our console tournaments via a website that we'll access with our computers.

From the sound of it, we'll be able to create some customizable tournaments and competitions within the context of ones own "Online Country Club". It would be great to be in an online tournament that truly was real time, and one in which you could play with groups, if desired.

That would be sweet. I can see it now...The DSP Open. If that is in fact what the Country Club thing is I am in baby

[Diablo25]

From what I have read you can hold a club or at least the handle of a club so I'll definitely be in that boat. Maybe a weighted shaft (save the jokes ) or something similar.

Yeah, I have one of those shafts that I use for practice and guidance during my range time at the club. Will use it for the Kinect for sure.

Hell, I guess you can use your actual putter. Anyone breaks a tv with that you needs some counseling.

[Diablo25]

Damn, Pigpen was right about Tiger on the Wii. I picked up the Wii version used for $23 and it is fabulous. I was so disappointed with the putting on the PS3 but the Wii version is absolute money. I was shocked at how much better it is. I love being able to putt by feel and the Wii lets you do it. If the Kinect can replicate this Ill be in video golf heaven. I also love the practice facility on the Wii version. It's on the CE version of TW13. Thought I was done with the Wii but this should hold me over until TW13 arrives in 2 months.

[pigpen81]

Damn, Pigpen was right about Tiger on the Wii. I picked up the Wii version used for $23 and it is fabulous. I was so disappointed with the putting on the PS3 but the Wii version is absolute money. I was shocked at how much better it is. I love being able to putt by feel and the Wii lets you do it. If the Kinect can replicate this Ill be in video golf heaven. I also love the practice facility on the Wii version. It's on the CE version of TW13. Thought I was done with the Wii but this should hold me over until TW13 arrives in 2 months.

The 2011 version is money also, especially with the extra courses. It is also a tad more forgiving with the swing if you are playing on pro with no assists, but there is no practice range.

The swing accuracy in the 12 version is off the charts and makes it more difficult.

Growing up playing Leaderboard golf on the C64, Golf on the NES, then PGA Golf on the Sega Genesis and graduating to Sierra's PGA Chjampionship on the PC, the Wii version IMO is the ultimate in golf sim.

[Wilk5280]

Yep. I love TW12 on the Wii.

[DivotMaker]

Yep. I love TW12 on the Wii.

It is, but I could not get past the piss-poor graphics....compared to the 360/PS3.

[Wilk5280]

Graphics aren't high on my priority list when it comes to enjoying a videogame. Sure they add a lot and can make a great game exceptional, but it's not the priority. I understand well that I am smack dab in the middle of the minority when it comes to this way of thinking. There are just so many great looking games out there that are otherwise terrible. I'm not saying TW on the 360 and PS3 is terrible, but from strictly a gameplay point of view they pale in comparison to their Wii counterpart.

[DivotMaker]

Graphics aren't high on my priority list when it comes to enjoying a videogame. Sure they add a lot and can make a great game exceptional, but it's not the priority. I understand well that I am smack dab in the middle of the minority when it comes to this way of thinking. There are just so many great looking games out there that are otherwise terrible. I'm not saying TW on the 360 and PS3 is terrible, but from strictly a gameplay point of view they pale in comparison to their Wii counterpart.

The graphics in TW12 for Wii are just slightly better than PS2 graphics IMO. Inexcusable in this day and age, again IMO. To me it is all about immersion into the game environment and the 360/PS3 do a much better job of this.

As far as gameplay, TW12 for Wii was very good at the highest difficulty. However, I play nothing but the highest difficulty level in the 360 version and there is every bit the challenge in that difficulty compared to the Wii version, IMO. My hope and expectation is that TW13 will raise the bar in gameplay challenge for both gamepad users with the new swing interface as well as bring new levels of immersion to PS3 Move and 360 Kinect users. You could not pay me to play any game on the Wii any more, especially since I upgraded my TV and Home Theater setup this Christmas....and I sold my Wii as well so it is a moot point now.

[pigpen81]

Graphics aren't high on my priority list when it comes to enjoying a videogame. Sure they add a lot and can make a great game exceptional, but it's not the priority. I understand well that I am smack dab in the middle of the minority when it comes to this way of thinking. There are just so many great looking games out there that are otherwise terrible. I'm not saying TW on the 360 and PS3 is terrible, but from strictly a gameplay point of view they pale in comparison to their Wii counterpart.

I am with you Wilk 110%!

It is a top 5 all-time sports game, regardless of graphics.

[Diablo25]

Graphics aren't high on my priority list when it comes to enjoying a videogame. Sure they add a lot and can make a great game exceptional, but it's not the priority. I understand well that I am smack dab in the middle of the minority when it comes to this way of thinking. There are just so many great looking games out there that are otherwise terrible. I'm not saying TW on the 360 and PS3 is terrible, but from strictly a gameplay point of view they pale in comparison to their Wii counterpart.

The graphics in TW12 for Wii are just slightly better than PS2 graphics IMO. Inexcusable in this day and age, again IMO. To me it is all about immersion into the game environment and the 360/PS3 do a much better job of this.

As far as gameplay, TW12 for Wii was very good at the highest difficulty. However, I play nothing but the highest difficulty level in the 360 version and there is every bit the challenge in that difficulty compared to the Wii version, IMO. My hope and expectation is that TW13 will raise the bar in gameplay challenge for both gamepad users with the new swing interface as well as bring new levels of immersion to PS3 Move and 360 Kinect users. You could not pay me to play any game on the Wii any more, especially since I upgraded my TV and Home Theater setup this Christmas....and I sold my Wii as well so it is a moot point now.

Oh, I agree Divot. I just couldn't get by the damn putting on the next gen systems. Inexcusable. Everything else is awesome. I just figured I'd give the Wii version a whirl. For $23 it will be well worth it for 2 months. I just hope the putting is fixed in TW13...which, from the sound of things, it is.

[J_Cauthen]

I was very impressed with what I got to see of Tiger Woods 11, hands-on, on the Wii, and even more so with the videos I've seen of Tiger 12 on the Wii. I wish the camera production of Tiger 12 Wii had made its was to the XBox 360 or PS3. I do know that Tiger 11 with the Motion + was light years better than Tiger 12 with the Move, but I only got to play it for 30 to 45 minutes (I don't own a Wii). I can't imagine how much more I may have enjoyed it with the Chicken Stick accessory. I think that would have really put it over the top!

I haven't made up my mind which version of Tiger I'll wind up with this year. It depends on which motion controller interface works best of the game, if at all - the Kinect or the Move. I'm starting to have more and more doubts about the Kinect suiting my desires the more I read. I also have doubts about the Move, based on my experience with it last year. I thought it fell flat on its face; the putting was just pitiful. With all the attention the Kinect had to get in this game this year, I'm left to wonder how much effort went into improving the Move functionality this year?

SKLZ Golf has confirmed that the "SimStix" for the PS3 move will be available in mid-April. It has the same grip and reinforced trigger as the Wii Motion +. It will reportedly replicate the feel and weight of a golf club in your hands. This would be the icing on the cake if the Move interface is at least halfway playable this year.

If neither motion control interface floats my boat, I'll definitely go with the 360 version. The Microsoft Wireless controller is much more manageable in Tiger Woods than the DS3, IMO. Additionally, I find XBox Live preferable to Sony's network. Lots of questions remain for my about my platform of choice this year, but I can honestly say I'm more excited about this year's game than ever. Total Swing Control and Online Country Clubs, along with the *alleged* expanded camera angles and shifts seem to make it a radical new experience.

[Diablo25]

Shot a 70 on Tour Pro at Dubai on the Wii today. If Tw13 on the 360 is close to the experience (minus the graphics of course) I'll be juiced. The sensation of hitting the ball with the Wii Remote is awesome. Great rumble and sounds effects. There is a legitimate feel to playing on the Wii that is not present in the 360/PS3 versions. I think I read somewhere that the Wii team was transferred to working on this years 360 version. Man, I hope they achieve some of the coolness of the Wii version. Very fun.

[Diablo25]

Just watched this video of the Stance/Draw/Fade stuff and it addresses the ability to strike the ball lower or higher...ie. lower if it's in the sand or rough. Adds a nice, realistic dimension to the game. Good stuff.

[J_Cauthen]

Shot a 70 on Tour Pro at Dubai on the Wii today. If Tw13 on the 360 is close to the experience (minus the graphics of course) I'll be juiced. The sensation of hitting the ball with the Wii Remote is awesome. Great rumble and sounds effects. There is a legitimate feel to playing on the Wii that is not present in the 360/PS3 versions. I think I read somewhere that the Wii team was transferred to working on this years 360 version. Man, I hope they achieve some of the coolness of the Wii version. Very fun.

I didn't realize the Wii Motion + had rumble... that is cool. I hope they capture more of the essence of striking a golf ball in the Kinect and Move versions. I certainly didn't get that sensation out of my brief experience with the Move in Tiger 12. I know I'm going to have a have club in my hand for the Kinect version, and the Move attached to a SimStix in the PS3 version to get close to what I'm after in that department.

Interesting that you mentioned sound as an ingredient of note. I agree that the sound goes a long way toward honing my senses in on the fact that I'm hitting a ball with a club. The quality of that sound should tell me a lot about the quality of the impact.

[J_Cauthen]

Just watched this video of the Stance/Draw/Fade stuff and it addresses the ability to strike the ball lower or higher...ie. lower if it's in the sand or rough. Adds a nice, realistic dimension to the game. Good stuff.

I saw that video earlier last week and I always find it peculiar how EA Sports always shows the game in its easiest level of difficulty. I'm guessing this is Amateur difficulty being played in the video; the stance/draw/fade component is a slave to the aiming tool from what I can see. It really disheartens me to see post shot spin being applied to the ball, as is the case in at least two of the shots shown here. I just never understood how it became the norm to expect to affect a golf shot *after* you've hit the ball, arcade style play or not... I guess I'm just a stodgy ol' fogey

I would love to see some videos of the game being played in Tournament difficulty, sans the tired old Follow-Cam. They've supposedly got a lot of new camera options this year, why not show them off and convince a prospective market that Total Swing Control isn't the only new feature this game has to offer? I would like to see how the shot setup differs in Tournament difficulty. I'm hoping the game doesn't set my stance and positioning based purely on where I'm aiming in the highest difficulty level, but I wouldn't be totally shocked if that's the case either.

[Teal]

I was heartened to see the 'after shot' view of the player walking the course being more in line with the tv broadcast look. If they have more of these 'cuts', that'll be cool. When playing with the Kinect, my hope is that there is a 'true view' option: one where, when I look at the screen, I see the ball on the tee, and, after striking, I can watch the ball from my spot, rather than the 'ball cam'. That'd just be sweet.

[Wilk5280]

I could be wrong, and I hope I am, but I just do not see how the Kinnect can match the feel of what the Wii has to offer with the wii motion-plus. First of all what's going to rumble as feedback with the Kinnect as you make contact with the ball? You're not holding anything. That's just one aspect of it.

[Teal]

I've never felt my golf clubs rumble.

[DivotMaker]

I could be wrong, and I hope I am, but I just do not see how the Kinnect can match the feel of what the Wii has to offer with the wii motion-plus. First of all what's going to rumble as feedback with the Kinnect as you make contact with the ball? You're not holding anything. That's just one aspect of it.

To me, the rumble in the Wii version did not enhance my experience as it was not synced properly to impact or the event it was supposed to be rumbling for, so this is a non-issue for me. Kinect won't offer rumble obviously, but if it can reproduce your actual swing 1:1 and the sournd effects are reproduced properly for the particular club and impact of that club on the ball, then that will serve as plenty of immersion for me....

[J_Cauthen]

I was heartened to see the 'after shot' view of the player walking the course being more in line with the tv broadcast look. If they have more of these 'cuts', that'll be cool.

I think there will be more of that type of cut in this year's game if you've got "Post Shot Animations" enabled.

When playing with the Kinect, my hope is that there is a 'true view' option: one where, when I look at the screen, I see the ball on the tee, and, after striking, I can watch the ball from my spot, rather than the 'ball cam'. That'd just be sweet.

I'm very certain we'll have the option for just what you've described above. Last year's PS3 version had a "First Person" camera perspective option available, but only when using the Move. It exactly fit the description of what you desire. I see no reason why this option wouldn't be available again this year in the Move, and it would also stand to reason, the Kinect. An EA Sports Community Manager pretty much came out and said that there were going to be something on the order of six camera angles available in this year's game. He also hinted that there would be 'cut' cameras, allowing the gamer to switch to a downrange camera, on demand in real time... now that would be suh-weet!

I would like to hold the True-Aim and/or First Person view perspective for the first 60 to 80% of the ball's travel, then switch to a finishing camera to see the ball reach its destination. It really does sound like we're going to get that this year!

[Teal]

Well, there is the 'see it, say it' function of the Kinect, so...here's hoping!

[Diablo25]

I still want to know how the Kinect is going to handle club angle at impact. With the Wii/Move you could twist the club and see it on screen....and it impacted contact. My question is how is this going to occur with Kinect? I understand it will track your body but what about your hands? Maybe (well probably) I'm dumb.

[DivotMaker]

I still want to know how the Kinect is going to handle club angle at impact. With the Wii/Move you could twist the club and see it on screen....and it impacted contact. My question is how is this going to occur with Kinect? I understand it will track your body but what about your hands? Maybe (well probably) I'm dumb.

My understanding is Kinect can track you hand/wrist movements in TW13....at least that is what I have heard so far.....

[10spro]

I still want to know how the Kinect is going to handle club angle at impact. With the Wii/Move you could twist the club and see it on screen....and it impacted contact. My question is how is this going to occur with Kinect? I understand it will track your body but what about your hands? Maybe (well probably) I'm dumb.

My understanding is Kinect can track you hand/wrist movements in TW13....at least that is what I have heard so far.....

If so, I should be able to control my hooks. Will see.

I just want to see how the new camera angles pan out for your normal swings and during putting. I remember that trying to escape from the sand traps on tourney mode was a nightmare.

[Diablo25]

I still want to know how the Kinect is going to handle club angle at impact. With the Wii/Move you could twist the club and see it on screen....and it impacted contact. My question is how is this going to occur with Kinect? I understand it will track your body but what about your hands? Maybe (well probably) I'm dumb.

My understanding is Kinect can track you hand/wrist movements in TW13....at least that is what I have heard so far.....

Hope so.