Sporting More Than Just Simulation

“The resilient humidity is causing real respiratory issues for the players, stifling their assault on the respective goals. Their beginning to modulate their mobility to accommodate their laboured pacing to sustain and regulate their abating fatigue. The game progresses regardless and that’s a great ball through to Ronaldo! He weaves past the attacking defence, he shoots….Oh but it’s blocked by the defence and recalls off the besieging defender and its out for a corner. Ronaldo nestles the ball down analysing the desired trajectory but, wait, what’s this? Its, its, its a……..Zombie?!” I mean honestly, what can you do with a sports game? Whether its Football, Basketball or the alternate Football game where participants use their hands, so in actuality it isn’t technically “foot ball”, how can you vary the basic premise? Their concerted heritage is hardly anointed as a fable of distinguished gaming either, whispered by the community with hallowed reverence or respect. It’s a divisive genre often disregarded by the more opulent of gamers as just commercialised legal tender, like printing money. You can’t annotate such an apocalyptic thesis such as zombies in the context of a football simulator?! Their assertive dominance in mainstream gaming certainly ruffles the feathers of many, particularly the notion of an annual release, and there is always the obligatory sustainment of many sporting recreational simulators at E3, but what can you give fans that they didn’t possess last year?

“Zero gravity Basketball could be next for the series.”

What can be added that is truly differential from previous iterations; the compulsory generic commentary, updated kits of jerseys, more defined graphical fidelity, navigational cordial menus. Yes. Accurate simulation of body impact and individual running styles, sure though you’re pushing it. Introducing a Zombie apocalypse during an interval in Tiger Woods PGA Tour? Not really. All the municipal façades and auxiliary components can be altered, but fundamentally its still just golf. They can be fortified, cosmetically amended and graphically polished; but once these superficial pretences have been changed there really isn’t much accommodation for conceptual diversity, and the rate at which these sort of titles are discharged every year, there is very marginal procurement of time invested in originality. Your actively trying to accurately imitate a real recreational activity, so are limited to what they can do. You can’t be imaginatively robust with such resolute parameters, as they are so collectively inured in its own hereditary procedures that its impossible to create a distinctive hubris. Of course you’ll always encounter the connoisseurs of sports gaming vehemently attesting to the subtle alternations of individual titles, but not to discredit their profaned resilience to the contrary, but they are wrong! So how can you stifle EA’s curated impotency and manipulate their expanding dower? Simple; STOP BUYING THEM!

“Tiger Woods here, trying to earn more money for his alimony.”

The biggest issue is us, consumers. Despite my derisive resignation of games such as FIFA, bemoaning their consecutive prosperity; with the exception of last year–I have purchased every FIFA game since 2003! That’s 10 games! There’s probably a separate account at EA headquarters that calculates my annual contribution to their generated revenue. But resolution lies in our/my absence. By deliberately abstaining from purchasing their content annually, we could finally liberate ourselves from the sustained duplicates we’ve become accustomed too. Perhaps this annulling shift could usher in a new, exciting narrative for sports genre? Messi: The Vampire Slayer, Madden Ballet, NBA Jam could actually be a riveting simulator of the competitive world of Jam making, and Baseball could actually be turned into an exciting sport that non Americans would actually want to play. Just imagine the opportunities. “After an embittered annulment from his wife of 3 weeks, Tiger Woods must fight for full custody of their pet chihuahua and acquire sufficient alimony. But by night he must fight the reanimated corpses of America’s most influential, and long since deceased presidents, with just the aid of his serrated nine irons. Oh and plays golf occasionally.”

How 1 Second Changes Everything.

Thumbs gripped by paralysis, my digits seizing the controller with pensive fortification. How had it come to this? Perspiration began to pour from my forehead like a faucet as I had to face the prospect of saving a penalty. Every synapses in my brain felt ruptured by intervention of anxiety, coercing any salient manoeuvre that would avert the inevitable outcome. The expedient team and I had successfully collaborated to retain our current, though slender 1-0 advantage under intense scrutiny from our opponents. Any attempt at increasing the deficit had long since dissipated after 2 reckless challenges from an impetuous, though talented midfielder, left us barren in any offensive capacity, departing with a bitter 60 mins left of time to endure. And we had endured a torrent of assaults that only intensified with the dismissal of one of our more prominent acquisitions. No strategic thesis could help us now, with the continued assault gathering momentum, speculative shots from our alienated forwards providing the only form of resistance. The momentum was with them and they validated it with impunity. 20 mins remaining and though my defence had remained stern and diligent despite the increased activity, a few cursory shots had attracted my immediate attention. Though these moments of exposure were perennial, we as a unit held firm hoping that the slow elapse of time would grant us with the win we had worked so hard to achieve.

There was no room for a lapse in concentration with the obligatory interval providing a jilted examination of our dire situation, with many (myself included) merely imparting exacerbated groans of frustration at our lack of penetrative ardour and our opponents equivalent potency to retain possession. This brief moment bestowed a remedial reprieve allowing us to clarify that we were still leading. 10 mins left, their versatility and significant ascension were beginning to show distinct signs of lethargy, unfortunately so were we. Though the ceramic features of our simulated squid divulged no overt signs that their rigorous tenacity had inadvertently reduced their stamina, you could almost see past the expressionless façade and observe the exhaustion. The intense resistance that had subdued our opponents to almost exclusive speculative attempts was verging on collapse. Their growing perforation had started yielding results too as I parried 2 very accurate shots, and punched one modest cross back out. Their attack patterns were varied and wholly effective, becoming almost evanescent in their movements as though it was simply a matter of time before that spherical object rippled the back of the net like a drop in a puddle.

“Just to clarify; we weren’t Barcelona.”

But the last bastion of this rugged defence had yet to be penetrated, with myself residing with apprehensive appraisal to determine the appropriate stance so as not to concede a goal cheaply. 90 mins were up! But there was an additional 5 mins to compensate for injuries. “Come on ref!” Still they persisted, asserting their rigorous proficiency with the ball by prodding vulnerable areas of our deterrence, applying the necessary pressure to pierce our resilient garrison. Embedded deep in our half, they utilised the vacant space on the left hand side, with one prestigious player weaving in and out of wayward tackles, scurrying past built up traffic in our defence and preparing to unleash a punctuated shot. Fired with venomous accuracy, dipping with accuracy that’s destined to bulge the back of the net. Instinctively (or perhaps with more luck than intent) I parried the shot, but I was left stranded by the resulting save with little time to reposition myself for further incursions. A clearance was necessary to achieve the desired result, but it fell fortuitously to the feet of the oncoming recipient. The defender, who I had been conversing with during the match had at this stage 2 choices: either concede the inevitable goal or concede a potential goal. He accurately chose the latter.

“If you save it, you’ve won. Miss, and its all your fault. No pressure.”

So here I am, the last activity of the match and it was down to me to save the culminating penalty. Suddenly my superfluous vision narrowed focused purely on the task, any auxiliary sounds became muffled by the audited pronouncement of my heart thumping rhythmically. *Thump thump. Thump thump.* My respiration became regulated as if all my remaining energy was being siphoned to intervene with the ball. The whistle blew and in that brief second before the ball was struck I knew its precise trajectory. I dived left, he struck down the middle with such power and precision you’d be forgiven for thinking it was fired by a gun. Conceding a penalty is generally considered a formality, whether that’s simulated or otherwise; but that didn’t revoke the catatonic feeling of failure after such enduring perseverance. The squad, despite the clear indications of disappointment, didn’t berate me, nor blame one another for the last gasp deficiency. There was no errant provocation merely acceptance of neutrality to a game we should have resoundingly lost. Our comparable opponents were skilled, ruthless and efficient in their endeavours, yet still failed to capitalise on our inductive limitations. The whistle had blown, and though a line of communication was lost between me and our temporary members, our provisional nuptial had probably been the most intimate, exhilarating and most humbling on-line interaction I have ever experienced with anonymous collaborators, and possibly the most invigorating game of football I’ve ever played!…….Now imagine if we’d won?

FIFA 13; Unlucky For Some?

It’s that stage of the year again when the dense grey British weather metamorphosis’s into a slightly less depressing shade of grey, England fans travel to the Euros with a deluded sense of optimistic intent, and unassailable aspirations of european success, and the annual battle for footballing supremacy is once again reignited. Both footballing franchises begin to divulge each of their defining elements they’ve strenuously implemented, that will vastly improve on the previous installment, and bellow with besotted pride how this years iteration “isn’t evolution, but revolution”, and blatantly seduce us with their insightful pandering, that this years installment will be the best yet…..*Yawn*. Am I the only who feels a sense of bereavement when alterations are annually made to the gameplay and adjusted beyond all comprehension? Isnt it time EA concentrated their efforts on more, simpler aspirations?

It seems highly negligible for EA to continue there almost self-proclaimed “perfect” footballing franchise, without first improving relatively simple aesthetic complications? Perfectly illustrated by the glaringly apparent oversight, of the supporters. Come on EA! With all the apparent visual enhancements, developed over the previous FIFA’s; why are the capacity crowds still seemingly inhabited by static cardboard cut outs, flapping their pixellated arms wildly? They look like a collective gang of criminals whose faces and bodies have been protected to protect their identities.

FIFA 12 forced you to become more tactically aware of your defence, which was equally rewarding and infuriating in its proficiency; with the AI seemingly so unevenly balanced in your opponents favour, that a brief lack in concentration would result in handing guaranteed ascendancy to the opposing side, leaving your accumulated possession almost nonsensical. I’m not suggesting that EA should regress back to the reprehensible “Ping Pong” passing of old, but future gameplay integrations should be more simplistic. Even the simple satisfaction of scoring could be refined to allow for less hit and hope shots, and less omnipotent like interceptions from opponents.

Be a pro, which is my prefered choice when aspiring for a successful career, is in acute need of refinement. In previous FIFA’s (I believe it was FIFA 10), when you’re created character is consistently performing well for your selected club, you were granted the honour of playing for your national team, which was then inexplicably removed? (Probably so we would then purchase the Euro/World Cup versions). But the thrill of playing well for your club and being rewarded with an international induction was a satisfying, but sadly fleeting integration, heinously disregarded after a season or two. At club level, particularly when your player is still in his infancy, substitutions are a necessity to prevent injuries and allow ample recovery time. So why then am I playing a full 90 mins against West Brom, a totally irrelevant match at this stage of the season, when my talents will be more suited, for the Carling Cup final in 2 days time? Which I’m now subsequently too fatigued to participate in?! It’s these excessive inclinations used to defeat mediocre teams (no disrespect West Brom Fans) that really irritate’s me; its like employing Jack Bauer as an ASDA security guard.

It’s the small advancements that would help create the illusion of being a professional footballer. Imagine being able to alleviate fans fears that you have no intention of leaving the club, or conversely, stating that your displeased with teams current form and managerial decisions? These little added skits would add a level of immersion that impedes every decision you make, becoming more than just about your performances on the pitch, but the way your character handles situations off it too. But sadly for me, many of my stated preferences will likely be ignored for improved ball likenesses and more advanced technology, specifically designed to augment the glare from Brad Friedel’s head!

Let me know what improvements you would you like to see in this years FIFA, or indeed PES?

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