 We are very honoured to bring you below an exclusive interview we held this week (02/01/2006) with Chris Bullard, FIFA Interactive World Cup Champion 2005. |
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Sweetpatch: |
Firstly Chris, welcome and a massive congratulations from all the staff and visitors at the Sweetpatch website for being crowned the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2005 Champion. |
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| Q |
Sweetpatch: |
How has your life changed since winning the final 2 weeks ago? |
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Chris: |
It hasn’t changed a lot and it’s all still sinking in. A lot of friends and old friends have been in touch to congratulate me which has been nice. I’ve hit the front page of my local newspaper so my family were very proud and a few people I don’t know have recognised me and congratulated me which is nice. |
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| Q |
Sweetpatch: |
What was your favourite memory of attending the annual FIFA World Player Gala 2005? |
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Chris: |
The whole experience was just overwhelming, when I was on the stage at the end a few steps away from the likes of Ronaldinho, Lampard and Eto’o it was just fantastic. I was liking the Hotel we stayed in as well, very nice. |
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| Q |
Sweetpatch: |
How long have you being playing FIFA and what platforms do you play on? |
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Chris: |
I’ve been playing Fifa since the Sega Megadrive, when players ran in 4 directions. I got every Fifa game since 1997 for Sega Megadrive, Playstation 1 and Playstation 2, until recently I converted to Xbox because it’s a much better experience online. |
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| Q |
Sweetpatch: |
Before this interview, have you ever visited the Sweetpatch website and if you have, what was your impression of what was on offer? |
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Chris: |
Well no I hadn’t before the competition, but it came up after I searched my name in google and I just read the article about me. The site is very informative for us gamers and seems very well organised. |
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| Q |
Sweetpatch: |
What was you qualifying road to becoming the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2005 Champion? |
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Chris: |
It was 100% luck, I knew about the competition and entered via Xbox Live. Come the deadline I think I was about 5th or 6th in the UK after giving up on being rank 1 because I just didn’t have enough time to play the game as much as the top ranked players. Luckily a few above me got banned and another player was unable to go which made me rank 1. Complicated I know, I’m still not sure how I was the UK rep but I’m not going to argue. I would have gone to the event in London as well to try and qualify but decided to play football instead. |
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| Q |
Sweetpatch: |
How often do you play FIFA 06? |
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Chris: |
I play it when I’m bored really, so on average I have a few games every day. However when I found out I was going to London I played Fifa a lot more to practice. |
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| Q |
Sweetpatch: |
What are your hopes for the future of the FIFA series? |
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Chris: |
I’d like it to be respected more for its gameplay and put above Pro Evo again. I’m not sure on what game officially sells more copies but it seems Pro Evo is more popular. I think EA have improved the gameplay with its recent additions of Fifa 06 and Fifa RTWC. The games still needs improvement though. |
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| Q |
Sweetpatch: |
Do you also play any other football video games? |
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Chris: |
I do play a bit of Pro Evo, not as much in the last few months though. Its just been Fifa. |
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| Q |
Sweetpatch: |
If yes to above, which is your favourite and why? |
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Chris: |
Fifa, I’ve played the game since 97 and always been pretty good at it. Because I’ve played it for such along time it will always be my No. 1 game. |
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| Q |
Sweetpatch: |
Which team do you support in real life (and do you also always play with them in FIFA)? |
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Chris: |
I support Chelsea in real life, but I always use England because the players for England suit my style of play better. Chelsea don’t have a good enough strike force. |
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| Q |
Sweetpatch: |
What are your plans for the future and have they been changed since being crowned FIFA Interactive World Cup 2005 Champion? |
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Chris: |
No not really, I hope my life will continue the way it is going, however I would love to get involved in Fifa 06 events in the next year for Xbox or PS2. I believe I am automatically in the competition next year so will try and defend my title. Otherwise I will keep playing football, athletics, studying, working and playing that Fifa game which I seem to be alright at. |
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Sweetpatch: |
Chris, this just leaves me to say thank you very much for giving us this unique interview and insight into becoming the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2005 Champion and your plans and hopes for the future. We all hope 2006 is as successful for you as 2005 has been. |
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Chris: |
Thank you very much for the interview, hope to be in touch with you all at Sweetpatch in the future, cheers. |
