[PassionOfTheFoot]

Info from IGN


August 28, 2002 - At the EA Play event held the day before ECTS 2002, Electronic Arts showed off three new in-development versions of its worldwide-known FIFA soccer series, FIFA 2003. All versions of the game were playable at EA's event, and strangely, the PlayStation 2 version outshined the GameCube version, while the Xbox version looked best overall. Nintendo fans shouldn't fret, the GC version simply looked further behind in development, and it didn't look that far behind the others, with washed out colors, softer edges, and less textual variance.

FIFA 2003 features a brand new, updated roster of players and teams from the FIFA organization, as well as standard improvements in animations, character textures, and various new cutscenes and interfaces.

FIFA 2003 was quite early and many aspects of the game weren't ready to show off. Most notable was the regular player AI, as well as the goalie AI. One could see new animations being worked on, for instance. There is a slight tweak in the way in which the ball is handled: This year's version looks to let the player have slightly less automatic control of the ball, giving him or her the skillset to handle it with more precision and care.

The new interface is still in development, so it's hard to write to clearly about it, but all of the options from previous builds appear to be presented in an entirely new manner. Menu screens are more often text-based, with smaller text and more colorful broad color palettes. Other than that, there isn't much to speak about with regard to FIFA 2003, since the game looked and felt very early.

We'll have more on FIFA 2003 in the near future.

http://mediaviewer.ign.com/ignMediaP...+2003+Hands-On

[Mel Brennan]

The game is gonna suck. PC / Xbox versions are due in October. That's one month from now, essentially. If the code hasn't "gone gold" by now, it'll never do so. What they saw WAS the final gameplay...it just sucks, and that means it will suck for us as well.

They need to give the FIFA franchise to a company as committed to world football as Tiburon (Madden) is to American football.

[otterulz]

I bought FIFA 2002 for the PC the other day for like $20 at Best Buy. The game sucks. The graphics are stunning, no doubt. But the physics of the game are ridiculous. It has an arcade type feel. Goal kicks seem to be rockets. Actual shots are even faster. Looks like it's back to World Cup 98 on N64 for me.

[Super Hamatachi redded]

how many national teams in there? and no more "No.5" please.

[Playable Back]

Originally posted by otterulz
I bought FIFA 2002 for the PC the other day for like $20 at Best Buy. The game sucks. The graphics are stunning, no doubt. But the physics of the game are ridiculous. It has an arcade type feel. Goal kicks seem to be rockets. Actual shots are even faster. Looks like it's back to World Cup 98 on N64 for me.

I guess you should be glad you only paid $20...also:
Thanks for the great insight into FIFA 2003...

Until '03 becomes available try WC '02 from EA and try playing the game on a PS2 instead of your PC.

I was impressed with the WC version and I even liked the FIFA 2002 game because I found it a vast improvement over the 2001 version in terms of game play and the general challenge of the game (sorry EA/FIFA bashers...I don't have access to the 'real game', Pro Ev., nor have I played any soccer games from other manufacturers).

[jp77]

I got World Tour 2002 and I love it. Can't wait for World Tour 2003....it's gonna be better !!!!!!!!!!111

[Ictar]

Try Fifa 2002 on the PS2. I have the World Cup only version, and it's great. From what I understand the gameplay is the same as Fifa 2002, the only difference is the different modes and clubs. Anyways, the game is friggin' amazing. To beat the computer on World Class mode it takes real skill. You have to set up great plays. It can be a big challenge.

3 months after buying it I still fit in a game or two every day, and still can't win every game on World Class mode.

[eric515]

Originally posted by Ictar

3 months after buying it I still fit in a game or two every day, and still can't win every game on World Class mode.

Amen!! I think I may have done it once with Germany, but I wanna say I had at leas one tie. Anyway, yes, it is very difficult, even though I managed to score two goals from 40 yards out with Asamoah... If FIFA '03 is an improvement on WC '02, then it will kick so much ass your head will fall off!!

[Ictar]

Lol Those long shots are great. I managed to put four in the net in one game against a friend to beat him 4 to 1. His jaw stayed on the floor. =P

[profiled]

Originally posted by Ictar
Lol Those long shots are great. I managed to put four in the net in one game against a friend to beat him 4 to 1. His jaw stayed on the floor. =P

Exactly a reason why FIFA isn't a good soccer simulator, it's way to arcadish, which is fine, but it's not the best "soccer game".