FIFA 12 General Discussion

[Meelapo]

I pre-ordered the game last night and I think the demo came out on XBox Live the other day too. Anyone tried it? Is it better/worse than last year? I'm not a huge soccer fan but I'd really like to become one and I'm hoping that this game is a gateway into that. I've been having loads of fun with Madden Ultimate Team (Madden 12) and Hockey Ultimate Team (NHL 11+12) and I understand that FIFA 12 will have a similar mode. I think this mode will really help to learn the rules (I have no idea how offside works) as well as the players.

I played the demo of the game last year and I found it to be fun but I could never score. I'll try out the demo today and hopefully post some feedback.

[rubecube]

Man, I barely played FIFA 11 after being completely addicted to FIFA 10. Although that could've been because FIFA 11 was horrible for image burn on my older plasma screen.

[Ozy_Flame]

I'm addicted to FIFA 11, and I will be playing FIFA 12 shortly. Can't wait to take my FIFA 11 team (Lincoln City) and bring it over. I love that feature.

Brilliant soundtrack as well to the new game. Great range of artists.

[Finny61]

Demo reviews have been very positive. I think I will buy it along with F1 2011 and NBA 2K. Skipping NHL this year or until they get Be a GM mode improved.

FIFA apparently is putting in slider options which must be a first for this series, I think it will help out a lot to fine tune the game (which is amazing already).

[Cecil Terwilliger]

After being really excited for 11 I never got around to buying it and by the time I was going to it seemed better to just wait for 12.

Good series that has had its flaws but the developers seem intent on actually making improvements year to year...unlike some other EA franchises

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I've been playing career as a Manager/Player for the last week.

I think I'll only last a season before I get fired though. I always played Legendary on Fifa 10 but it appears they've made things quite a bit tougher. I'm currently sitting about mid table half way thru the season with Inter Milan.

At this point I just hope I can snag one of the Europa or CL spots if I make a great run towards the end of the season. I started out really poorly and have been getting better.

My biggest problem is that I have trouble scoring. The same old tricks that I used in Fifa 10 appear to have been fixed. The game overall is absolutely spectacular though. So many different things to keep track of and follow with the transfers, player morale, player energy, scouting, promoting kids from the youth squad and then loaning them out to get some experience.

The only thing I don't like is that the thru pass still kinda sucks when you play with pass assist and then without pass assist they are almost impossible to time perfectly. That and where the passing used to be too fluid, it is almost a little too clunky.

Overall I'd rate it a 9 out of 10. So amazing to be able to play a game and have so much fun even though I'm not always winning.

They fixed so many of the glitches from 10 that I wonder if it is even an EA game. Seems to be too good.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

I've been playing career as a Manager/Player for the last week.

I think I'll only last a season before I get fired though. I always played Legendary on Fifa 10 but it appears they've made things quite a bit tougher. I'm currently sitting about mid table half way thru the season with Inter Milan.

Inter Milan BOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Forza Juve!

[Meelapo]

Is there a good website where I can learn about soccer? I have no idea how offside works, what the positions are, why you call substitutions, etc. All I've been doing is going to wikipedia and I've learned what the heck a 'transfer' is (it's like a trade but a trade and then you get to sign a new contract and the team that you are transferred too has to pay a crap ton of money). I've been playing that manager mode hoping that would force me to learn things but then I have to understand player positions, formation styles, etc. It's rather confusing!

[Finny61]

Originally Posted by Meelapo

Is there a good website where I can learn about soccer? I have no idea how offside works, what the positions are, why you call substitutions, etc. All I've been doing is going to wikipedia and I've learned what the heck a 'transfer' is (it's like a trade but a trade and then you get to sign a new contract and the team that you are transferred too has to pay a crap ton of money). I've been playing that manager mode hoping that would force me to learn things but then I have to understand player positions, formation styles, etc. It's rather confusing!

It helps to have people around you who love the sport and can get you into the beautiful game. You could always look for a book on rules or search for youtube videos. I found the best thing to do is listen to podcasts/radio specific to the sport. Also subscribe to Setanta or Sportsnet Rugby (whatever that station is called these days)

Also buy Football Manager 2012 for your PC, it will overwhelm you but man I love that game!

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by Meelapo

Is there a good website where I can learn about soccer? I have no idea how offside works, what the positions are, why you call substitutions, etc. All I've been doing is going to wikipedia and I've learned what the heck a 'transfer' is (it's like a trade but a trade and then you get to sign a new contract and the team that you are transferred too has to pay a crap ton of money). I've been playing that manager mode hoping that would force me to learn things but then I have to understand player positions, formation styles, etc. It's rather confusing!

This forum is probably a good place to start Meelapo!

Offside is very complicated in now they have different phases and active and inactive players but ultimately it's defined as this:

When the ball is played forward - the attacking player must have at least two players between him and the goal line. So one defender and a keeper or two defenders (see disallowed Mexican goal opening day World Cup last summer). Think of it as a floating blue line where the blue line goes from touchline to touchline on the last defender up to the centre line.

[Coys1882]

Substitutions are usually made for injury or tactical reasons. You get three per game and once you are subbed you're done for the night. If you're a sub who gets subbed - you've just been kicked in the nuts by your manager.

A team consists of 11 players on the field and 7 substitutes, as said above, three of which can be used.

The most common formation is usually a variation of the 4-4-2.
4 defenders (Left Back, 2 Central Defenders, Right Back)
4 Midfielders (Left, 2 Central Midfielders (one usually more defensive, the other attacking) and a Right)
2 Strikers - goal scorers typically though you will see guys like Emile Heskey whose role is more holding up the ball and bringing the midfielder into the attacking play or feeding through the other striker.

[Coys1882]

For the positions:

• Goalkeepers: tall, athletic, good reflexes and vocal. They make the stops talk to the defenders, and distribute the ball. Names you might have heard of: Gigi Buffon, Edwin Van Der Sar and Peter Schmiechal.

• Full Back/Wing Backs: these are usually speedy defenders who cover the wingers and also help get the ball forward and even overlap the wingers for a deep run. Names you might have heard of: Lee Dixon, Ashley Cole, Dany Alves.

• Centerbacks: big strong ball winner defenders who don't usually get forward too much. Good in the air to win crosses or corners and clear the ball. A lot of captains are Centrebacks because being vocal and tactically aware is important for guiding the people and their responsibilities. Names you might have heard of: Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Fabio Cannavaro

• Wingers/Outside Midfield: Usually speedy, good dribblers and able to cross the ball into the penalty area. Names you might have heard of: David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, and Arjen Robben.

• Defensive Midfield: Sits in front of the back four and helps break up play. Usually when they win the ball - they pass it off to the other midfielder who is usually more creative. Names you might have heard of: Roy Keane, Patrick Viera, and Gennaro Gattuso.

• Attacking Midfield: The creative force of most teams. Runs with the ball through the midfield and quarterbacks the attacks and plays the deadly ball through to the strikers. Names you might know: Luka Modric, Xavi, and Ronaldinho

• Strikers: The goal scorers. Names you might have heard of: David Villa, Samuel E'to, Wayne Rooney, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

[Meelapo]

Thanks for all the post Coys1882. Funny that your avatar is the logo of the Hotspurs. When I picked up the game I decided that I'd pick a team and become a fan of them and use that team in game (via the support system, season play, etc.). I eventually set on the Hotspurs because they had a neat logo!

[Meelapo]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

This forum is probably a good place to start Meelapo!

Offside is very complicated in now they have different phases and active and inactive players but ultimately it's defined as this:

When the ball is played forward - the attacking player must have at least two players between him and the goal line. So one defender and a keeper or two defenders (see disallowed Mexican goal opening day World Cup last summer). Think of it as a floating blue line where the blue line goes from touchline to touchline on the last defender up to the centre line.

Ah okay. That makes sense. I always thought it had something to do with the sideline ref...like he was some sort of floating blueline marker. So if the attacking player has to have two defenders (or a goalie and one defender) between him and the goal line you can't really have hail mary type of passes that lead to breakways can you?

The only time you could have one (a breakaway) really is if there's enough room between the last defender and the goalie and that defender is pinching and you just run right past the guy. Is that correct or am I thinking too much hockey?

Are breakaways, if they exist in soccer, common? Seems like there's far too many players on the 'pitch' for that to happen often.

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by Meelapo

Thanks for all the post Coys1882. Funny that your avatar is the logo of the Hotspurs. When I picked up the game I decided that I'd pick a team and become a fan of them and use that team in game (via the support system, season play, etc.). I eventually set on the Hotspurs because they had a neat logo!

That's awesome!!! You've picked a team that's like the Chicago Cubs. Lots of money, huge support, never wins anything, and when it looks like they might - they find a way to cockerel it up.

Couple things..

First, we are not The Hotspurs, we're Spurs. Just Spurs
Second, get ready for heartbreak!!

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by Meelapo

Ah okay. That makes sense. I always thought it had something to do with the sideline ref...like he was some sort of floating blueline marker. So if the attacking player has to have two defenders (or a goalie and one defender) between him and the goal line you can't really have hail mary type of passes that lead to breakways can you?

The only time you could have one (a breakaway) really is if there's enough room between the last defender and the goalie and that defender is pinching and you just run right past the guy. Is that correct or am I thinking too much hockey?

Are breakaways, if they exist in soccer, common? Seems like there's far too many players on the 'pitch' for that to happen often.

You know when the receivers run to the line of scrimmage just as the QB snaps it? If you can time your run so that just as your player passes the ball you are running past the last defender, then you could get a breakaway chance.

There aren't a ton of them and I'd guess probably half of them are because of defender mistakes. The pass has to be perfect really as it has to be before the player passes the last defender, out of the reach of the defender's foot, and not too deep that the Keeper can just come out and clear it.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Great answers Coys. I was reasonably well versed but I've learned a lot by simply asking questions in the soccer threads here on CP. I'll be honest one of the best things is that unlike the FOI forum people tend to be very nice about explaining stuff without being dicks.

The only thing I'll add, and only because it always confused me, is that offside is based on where the attacking player is when his teammate kicks the ball. You'll often see on soccer broadcasts or even in FIFA that they show the exact moment the guy went offside. They are basing that on the exact moment that the guy passing the ball had it leave his foot and where the guy receiving the ball was at that particular moment.

EDIT: LOL looks like you guys are discussing that very thing.