FIFA 14: First Details and Screens Released

Good news, sports fans – EA has released the first information regarding the next iteration in their annual FIFA series, along with a whole host of screenshots from the upcoming game, all available to view below in a nifty little gallery.

FIFA 14 will introduce the Pure Shot feature, which is intended to make the difference between players’ shooting abilities more noticeable. Pure Shot will see more skilfull finishers such as Messi being able to intelligently line up their shot before taking it, while less accomplished goalscorers will struggle. EA has said that the implementation of this feature will make scoring well-struck goals feel “more exhilarating and rewarding.”

Another new feature is Real Ball Physics, which will determine the trajectory of the ball and, theoretically, make for more realistic passing and shooting of the ball. EA have said that Real Ball Physics will allow players to “kick the ball with force from distance, drill low rising shots with accuracy, and blast dipping or turbulent shots,” which should introduce a nice bit of unpredictability into the game, and force players to consider their positioning.

But FIFA 14‘s new features aren’t all focused on attacking movement. The Protect The Ball feature will enable more burly footballers to, as its name suggests, protect the ball from oncoming defenders whilst running, and will also allow players who aren’t on the ball to out-muscle their opponents before receiving a pass, which will likely have a big impact on Pro Clubs mode. The intelligence of the AI has reportedly been improved, with teammates marking players more effectively and spotting runnings more frequently. However, the most relieving change for more seasoned players comes in the form of improved defensive AI, with EA claiming that your teammates will now recognise opportunities to provide support along with retaining/winning back possession.

Dribbling has also been improved, with players now able to change the direction of their run mid-sprint whilst preserving momentum, meaning that you will no longer be unable to stop yourself from running directly into your opponents’ path when making a beeline for their goal. Skillful players will now also be able to make a variety of subtle touches on the ball whilst sprinting, too, further ensuring that Ronaldo will be able to routinely tear through the opposition’s defence.

FIFA’s surprisingly intuitive career mode is also being improved, with the Global Scouting Network now allowing managers to search for new talent year-round, acquiring information on their abilities in preparation for the opening of the transfer window. Live scouting reports will also be accessible via the mode’s new hub, which EA has said will be far easier to navigate.

More improvements EA said that they have made to FIFA 14 include:

• Changes to the wildly popular FIFA Ultimate Team
• A new online Mode that will encourage social competition
• Multiple new features and benefits to EA Sports Football Club, the live service that is the heartbeat of FIFA.
• Complete authenticity with more than 500 officially licensed clubs. 

Below is a gallery of new screenshots from FIFA 14. If you are having problems viewing it, you will need to disable adblock.