.. because (if it arrives as we hope and believe it will for FIFA 2001) the stadiums in 2k1 are very international looking so would not do for most Nationwide teams.
Of course, the patchmakers could surpass themselves and do even more of EA Sport's job for them http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/wink.gif

..or is it EA's job? Unlike gameplay which definately IS!!

I agree that you have a point loopychoon, but maybe this will be remembered as the FIFA patch-makers' finest hour!
2 B honest, I just want whatever they've got right away, cos FIFA is a big disapointment to me...
Patch of the Day is still the best NAME for a patch anyway...


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SEBi
Gooner-4-Ever

I've been having a think about this over the past couple of weeks, and been tinkering with several things.

This year, it is much easier to make fundamental changes to AI. In fact, a few edits, made to the right variables can edit the entire playing environment and thus the entire gameplay. Rather than just making the game cosmetically right, with the correct rosters, kits, and miscellaneous graphics, we're going to have a go at making the patch much more game-focused, so that it doesn't just look like a Premiership game, but it actually feels like one too.

Nationwide League stadia might seem like a problem, but we're going to try to use edited stadium models, as was the plan with the version that never made it for FIFA 2000 - where possible. The possibilities for sound are all huge, with music during in-game cinemas now. It may well be possible to incorporate official music used at Premiership games after goals are scored, so watch this space.

I'm going to discuss all of these points with Chris as soon as possible. I'm more than open to suggestions of what you'd like to see in it, as this year, despite our lack of time due to other commitments, we want to make the best possible game of football ever seen on the PC, one that looks right, feels right, sounds right, and plays right.

Blimey! Er.. could my Australian cousin have your autograph??

I agree, DEFINATELY the best name for a patch!

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT IDEAS Drinky!
Big up to Drinky n Chris!!!
If u wanted to make lots of money, u could just follow up what you've said in your post, and release it as a totally new game!!
God Knows EA have been doing it for the past couple of years http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif (as u say yourself in the soccergaming newsletter)
Besides, it would be certainly better than FIFA 2001, knowing your track record http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif


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SEBi
Gooner-4-Ever

'If u wanted to make lots of money, u could just follow up what you've said in your post, and release it as a totally new game!!'

We could, but there is absolutely no way that EA would let us do it without suing us for misuse of their code. I looked into doing something similar for another game a couple of years back and was told in no uncertain terms that we would be hit with a big lawsuit if I did. Chau Le and Matt were also given the same advice when they wanted to put together a paid-for CD of FIFA utilities.

In case you're really interested in this kind of thing, it dates back to when Westwood (now in bed with EA) successfully sued SoftKey for marketing CDs of Command & Conquer editors and levels for £9.99 in the UK. That test ruling has meant that nearly all unofficial utilities worldwide have to be released for free online, with the developers asking for voluntary donations if you enjoy it.

On a different topic, have you noticed how pointless the shotbar is? If the power ends at a point just below the end, the shot will be well under the crossbar and on target. If the power reaches the end, the shot will be miles off target.. Putting no power on the bar at all just leads to a spooned shot for the keeper rather than anything delicate - is there any point to a power bar that only works properly at one point on it? This has been annoying me recently as I've been trying to find ways of making more long shots hit the target and beat the keeper.

I really hope you guys find the time to make a POTD for 2001, I still have POTD End of an Era on Fifa 2000 and it made the game so much more playable.
Wont you be limited by the pissy number of stadiums in 2001 ?

As for the power bar, I've had no luck with it and have just about given up..... If anyone can tell me how to use it successfully I would appreciate it.

The number of stadiums in the game may be a limitation but a possible way round it may be to make any new stadiums very typical of your average ground so that most teams can feel at home there http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif
As far as the shot bar is concerned I found it impossible at first but with practice I've begun to get much closer. I've scored twice now from free-kicks, once with a deflection off the wall. If I shoot wide or send the ball into the crowds then I consider it to be a relatively good reflection of the real thing, after all, free-kicks take a specialist: in the real world David Beckham practises free-kicks even after the rest of the team have packed up their training for the day.