Way too early wishlist
EA, below is a list of things I (someone who knows nothing about engineering a game) think would be fairly straightforward to implement into the gameplay to make it more authentic and less repetitive. With full release still a few days away, this is a bit premature, but these are things I’ve had on my mind for years.
First, the biggest thing we need is refreshed commentary. The added customization this year is nice, I like switching it up, but the commentary itself is played out and with a.i where it is, should really be more relevant to each individual match. All I’m going to say on that.
• Extra balls on cones off pitch and ball-people collecting loose balls and returning to empty cones. •Team med staff going onto the pitch to treat players. Taking them off if injured. We actually see all this. Sub player or we see them stand on touchline until ref waves them back on. •Real faces or better ones for refs. I really like the addition of real-life refs names. There was never a reason not to do this, but make them look a bit better if not actual scanned faces. I would love to hear the commentators mention them by their names throughout the match as well. •Handshakes, coin toss, and flag/gift swap before matches. •Some form of VAR presence. Doesn’t even have to function. Just show the VAR team in the booth pre-match and have cutscenes checking goals, fouls, etc. Again, doesn’t have to really be functional but should be present. •Way, way more touchline and crowd inclusion in the visuals during the game. During breaks in action I want to see fans freaking out because they’re on jumbo screen. Managers pouting on the touchline, arguing with 4th officials, instructing players. We have some of this but need a lot more. •We should see subs warming up on touchline and by corner flags. Specifically when I select some players to come in before there’s a stop in play. After going to team management menu and continuing my match, I should see those I selected warming up and then stripping off their bibs and waiting by the 4th official to come on. •Flares and pitch debris. In almost all European stadiums outside England, fans are letting off pyrotechnics and throwing things onto the pitch. Often times during Bundesliga matches, players are running through fields of confetti on the pitch. I’d like to see that in game. •Training staff leaving the bench and instructing players •Players shoving or pushing after fouls. More arguing with refs. Rolling around on the ground like they’ve been hit by a car. It’s obnoxious but it’s part of the game. •Way more jostling in the box during corners. This is obviously a more in-depth change but corners really need a total revamp. The biggest thing is having a strategy for them when attacking and much more physical activity going on before there’s ball is played in. Maybe even the refs have to hold the corner at times and babysit players.
It’s a hefty list but all things that are so important to the atmosphere and authenticity of a football match. There are many other things the game needs but these all regard gameplay additions that would cater to players of all modes. Thanks EA and hope to see some of this stuff in future titles.
