Some of us got a bit of an early start on the football front. While we’re all looking forward to the World Cup 2010, a select gathering of Shine 2010 team members were playing the game at the offices of Electronic Arts (EA) in northern Joburg.
While I’m not a major sports games fan – preferring first person shooters like your Quake and Call of Duty – I have played a bit of EA Sports’ cricket 2007. And while that is an impressive game in its own right, nothing prepares you for the detail and playability of FIFA 2009.
The amount of work that goes into a project like this is the last thing on your mind as your players react naturally, right down to hamming it up for the camera when they score (which, sadly, wasn’t that often when I was at the controls). The atmosphere created by thousands of screaming fans is intense, especially in EA’s nicely set up chillzone, replete with high definition big screen and surround sound.
After getting to grips with the game play, the Shine 2010 team stepped aside to see how the pros do it; while I did take the time to confirm that working for a company like EA isn’t just all day on the couch playing games, there was also no question that these guys like working with the products they bring to market. There is a definite difference in how those with a bit of experience give it horns, compared to the clumsy efforts of total noobs!
Apparently it doesn’t take long to get the hang of it, especially, I suppose, if you’re a ten year old with double-jointed thumbs.
We also got to sit on one of the coolest boardrooms ever – packed practically to the ceiling with games goodies - to gain insights on how the game was made. Believe me, a lot goes into it. Perhaps not quite as much as goes into the preparations for FIFA’s World Cup 2010, but it is still a monumental job of work – and given the popularity of football, EA produces a new release just about every year.
Big thanks to the EA Sports product managers Sean, Ralph and Reana for their time, friendliness and enthusiasm. This is a crew of folks which can’t wait for the real deal to get to South Africa, although we’re pretty sure how they’re going to spend the time between now and then.
