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Q. What would you say are the main differentiators between FIFA 2005 and previous versions?
Matt. Tough question, as there are so many major changes and enhancements between FIFA 2005 and previous versions that it is hard to narrow it down to just one. Personally, there are two that stand out for me.
- One, First Touch control. Many of you have had an opportunity to try First Touch in the demo, and it is great to read the feedback. It really does add a lot to how you play your football games, which is terrific.
- The other is the sheer depth of the game itself. With this year's hugely expanded Career Mode, the game has more to offer than ever before. Previous FIFA's could be completed in a few days (plenty of personal experience there). If you want to complete this FIFA quickly, you had better clear your schedule for a good few weeks.
Q. If there was one thing the Sweetpatch site could do that would support EA Sports FIFA team what would it be?
Matt. Keep doing what it has been doing so brilliantly for the past 5 years. Continue to support the community and help it grow. Encourage more people to get involved in the world of FIFA editing and patch making.
Q. How can the FIFA community compliment the work of EA Sports most effectively in the future?
Matt. Everyone here on the FIFA team wants the FIFA community to continue to grow just as it has been for many years now. Some of the patches and software that is being created these days is just fantastic. Programs like Soccer Access' "Raptor" software, FIFA ECP's UNiDB and Stadium Installer are some of my personal favourites.
The community websites and forums are doing a terrific job. All the members of the FIFA team visit the popular forums on a regular basis. On a community forum perspective, it is important the community realises that we are continuously reading their feedback. As long as feedback is well thought out and any criticism is constructive, it is all taken on board.
On another note, one of the most well known community members, Chau Le, who will be building the 2005 version of the PC Creation Centre, will be paying a visit to our studios in the coming weeks to meet our team and see how we build the game.
Q. What are the biggest changes we can look forward to in FIFA 2006?
Matt. Certainly too early to be talking about FIFA 2006 features. However, as a whole, the community is certainly going to play a big part in how future FIFA's are shaped. Along with taking in community feedback on FIFA 2005, we will also be encouraging more community members to become involved in our player and team research group. On top of this, we also have some live chat sessions planned for the coming weeks.
On the design front, the community will be happy to know that we plan to make future FIFA's more "editor friendly". As I have already mentioned, we want the user to get the most enjoyment out of our products as possible. We realise that having the ability to expand the longevity of a game by adding additional stadiums, balls, players, teams and other assets is important and want to make sure the community is able to do this.
Q. How would you summarise the first 5 years of the Sweetpatch site in one sentence?
Matt. Terrific dedication from a well respected webmaster has seen Sweetpatch build itself into one of the most popular FIFA community websites on the internet.
Q. Finally, how has working for EA Sports changed your outlook on the FIFA scene?
Matt. Good question. Although my work commitments with EA Sports have seen involvement with Soccer Gaming cease, I still like to remain as involved as possible in the FIFA community. You may not see me posting anymore, but you can bet I visit all the major FIFA forums several times each day. My outlook on the FIFA scene remains the same. I have a strong understanding of the communities requests and beliefs and am committed to ensuring EA Sports involvement with the FIFA community continues to grow.
Thank you Dave for the opportunity to answer your questions. Congratulations on five years of Sweetpatch, and I look forward to working with yourself and other members of the community in the near future.
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