Editorial disclosure: Electronic Arts invited IGN India for the EA FC Showcase event in Sydney, Australia. EA covered all expenses, including travel and stay.
EA recently held a promotional event for EA Sports FC in Sydney, Australia. The company provided a glimpse of all the things that were developed for the game, such as the main FC 24 title, FC mobile for mobile gaming, FC tactical and much more. During the event, we talked to Samuel Rivera, who is a senior producer on FC 2024. Rivera managed to answer critical questions such as the whole rebranding process, Ultimate Team, obstacles in development, new playstyles and more.
FIFA 23 to EA Sports FC 24
Rivera labelled this year as significant for the franchise. According to him, the team has diligently designed this release, along with the gameplay engine, and their carefully guarded “secret recipe” for several years. He emphasised their three decades in the industry, highlighting the continuous enhancement of player experiences through innovative features and regular updates. Rivera considers this year especially exceptional due to the introduction of new technologies they are incorporating.
Rivera explained that the development of volumetric capture technology has been in the works in 2018. However, at that time, neither the technology itself nor the consoles were adequately equipped to support its implementation. Now, the situation has changed, with these technologies having progressed to a point where they can be effectively used. Notable among these advancements are the improved Frostbite engines, volumetric capture technology, and artificial intelligence.
Rivera further discussed the reasoning behind their decision for rebranding. He shared that the team’s primary focus was on embracing fresh opportunities and forming new partnerships, all while enjoying more freedom. This transformation is viewed as a positive shift for the franchise, bringing a collective sense of contentment. Rivera emphasised that this marks the beginning of “something different,” and the creative freedom allows them to collaborate with prominent sports brands such as Nike.
Also read: EA Sports FC 24 Partners Up with Ballon d’Or to Bring the Award Ceremony to Career Mode, Marvel Partnership for UT Heroes Returns
Why EA Sports FC feels faster and slower than FIFA
At the event, attendees engaged in a brief play session of EA Sports FC 24. Feedback varied among attendees, with some finding the game to be slower while others perceived it as faster. Rivera addressed this observation and stated that the pacing discrepancy wasn’t deliberate. He explained that the objective was to enhance the gameplay’s tactical and genuine essence by directly incorporating animations derived from real-life actions.
The annual shifts in the game’s feel aren’t deliberate, either. Rather, they stem from the continuous addition of fresh elements into the game, such as animations, features, artificial intelligence, and more. Basically, each year’s iteration presented a distinct experience, as Rivera explained, neither intentionally slower nor faster. “It’s just different every year”.
Evolution’s impact on Ultimate Team
Rivera went on to explain how the concept of Evolution was brought into the game and how it would affect the way players experience it. According to Rivera, the idea behind this addition stemmed from the considerable feedback they’ve received from players over the years. Addressing its implications for gameplay, Rivera highlighted that the main goal was to provide players with the freedom to create more unique teams, allowing them to stand out from others.
The uniqueness will not come from just the promotional players that EA’s campaigns have provided, but through how the player decides to grow their team and each players’ aspects themselves. This will allow you to create a powerful and usable players that they can customise, grow and put through different challenges. Which will end up creating different versions of that player for everyone playing the game.
Obstacles faced
Rivera further delved into the hurdles the development team encountered beyond the incorporation of volumetric captures, AI, and other features. He discussed the dynamic nature of football as a constantly evolving sport, emphasising that capturing these changes authentically within a game was a challenge. Accomplishing this required the developers to meticulously craft annual updates while maintaining a sense of authenticity. Additionally, Rivera pointed out the complexity of securing contracts from teams, players, and leagues. He noted that while technology played a crucial role, there’s also a business aspect involved in negotiating these agreements.
EA Sports FC 24’s new Tactics, PlayStyles and Live Attribulator
Rivera also shared insights into the team’s method of introducing new tactics. He emphasised that team members from around the world, who are passionate players and followers of leagues like the K League, Japanese League, MLS, and the European Leagues, contribute to this process. Their goal is to explore different leagues and uncover innovative football concepts, which involves closely studying various divisions and leagues.
Furthermore, the developers actively participate in playing the sport themselves. Rivera explained that the studio has its own playing field, where they engage in real gameplay discussions.
Discussing the challenge of maintaining balanced play styles to prevent any from becoming overly dominant, Rivera explained their approach. They rely on automation tools to aid in achieving balance, supplemented by player feedback. The team actively works to identify and rectify potential “exploit mechanics,” yet predicting which mechanics players might exploit or which ones will emerge as the game’s meta.
Moreover, Rivera added that the team is dedicated to addressing these concerns before the game’s official launch by conducting thorough beta testing. They aim to consider player feedback carefully and implement necessary adjustments. Rivera introduced a tool named the “Live Attribulator,” which aids in this endeavour. This tool empowers developers to modify game parameters, variables, and values seamlessly, avoiding the need for a comprehensive patch.
Continue reading: EA Sports FC 24 Has First-Person Refs — Next Stop: First-Person Harry Kane?
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