Interfering With Play 16/10/2007
Posted by Dan Bolas in Interfering With Play on Tue 16 Oct
In arguably the biggest 14 days of the Football gaming year, Interfering With Play is taking a look at some of the most interesting issues currently around, coupled with a few fresh new talking points. So lets crack on.
Striptease
If you have spent any time on any PES2008 website in the past two weeks, you will have seen the latest screenshots of the new option files, showing the potential editing of strips for Premier League sides. Many of these strips are taken from PC screenshots, however with X Box 360 and PS3 having as much power as many high spec PCs nowadays, you can be pretty sure the option files will be very similar on the consoles. Whilst many of the strips look very good, in particular the Arsenal away and Liverpool home shirts, some of them are very disappointing. If any of you have seen the Arsenal home kit, you will agree that having an all red strip in this day an age for the Gunners is clearly not acceptable. Even the poorest of football games from yester-year feature the white sleeves of the Arsenal shirt, and I am hoping that there will be a way of rectifying this problem, as teams like Aston Villa and West Ham United’s strips need a similar template. May I stress at this point that this is far from a dig at the individuals making the option files or designing the kits, but at the editing mode itself for not featuring such a common design of shirt.
Stop Chasing That Egg
I’d like to take this quick point to pass my congratulations on to the England rugby side. Here is a team that 12 months ago were in turmoil, and dubbed the worst World Champions ever, only to find themselves staring down the barrel of a second consecutive World Cup final. I don’t play rugby, and would even consider myself a fan of the sport, yet I have watched the England campaign with a great deal of enjoyment, and have found myself screaming at the TV more than I do at the football. There is no doubt that England has a superstar in the form of Wilkinson, but they are also have a great deal of grafters, players who are in there for the team and are proud and passionate to be playing for their country. Whether or not England turn over the 36-0 thrashing South Africa gave them in the group stages remains to be seen, but there is no doubt they have proven so many critics wrong with a performance that the nations Footballers and Cricketers can only dream of. It’s been a pleasure to watch them play, and I wish them the greatest of luck of Saturday.
I Wish I Was A Manager
As I said at the beginning of the article, it’s a massive 14 days for Football gaming, and one of the reasons for this occurs on this Friday. Sports Interactive’s annual Football Manager makes its 2008 appearance, and if it is anything like the 2007 offering, it will be a belter. I am sure many of you play the game, or are at least aware of it, but for those who don’t know, it is the number one football management simulation. In 2004, the Championship Manager series split into two sections. Eidos kept the name Championship Manager, and started to produce a different game, aiming to have a quicker, more free flowing management sim. Sports Interactive kept the basic template of the game, as well as the massive databases, and produced Football Manager. In my opinion, Championship Manager is an average management sim that receives a great deal of sales from people who are familiar with the quality product the name was attached to in the late 90’s. Football Manager is the definitive article, allowing hours of gaming and numerous challenges that other games could only dream of. The 2007 game has seen me dedicate over 150 hours to it, a commitment that makes games like Final Fantasy seem short term fixes. If you play the game, I am sure, like me, you will be waiting with baited breath for the 2008 instalment, but if you are unfamiliar with the series, I urge you to invest in a copy and see what you think. If you’re short on cash, 2007 is going for under a tenner in most stores now, and is defiantly worth trying out. In comparison to Pro Evolution Soccer, it would be like comparing Elvis Presley to Justin Timberlake, yes they both do the same thing, and they are both very unique styles, but they are not really that similar. Football Manager is available this Friday (19th October 2007) for PC.
Now That I Have Your Attention
One of the things I am most proud about is the level of response I get from each Interfering With Play article. This comes in many ways, from people adding me to MSN Messenger, to e-mails being sent through with people showing off their viewpoints, to the responses that can be found of the bottom of each individual article. I like the fact that some people agree with the points I raise, or prefer to build upon comments that I have said. I also like that people disagree with my point of view, or question what I am saying. The whole point of this section of Interfering With Play is to have people hear my views, and for people to get their views across. I love football, and I love Pro Evo, so I find it easy to write my opinions. If you have something to say, no matter how big or small, get your response on the article and let people see what you have to say too. But please, if you do write a response, leave you name or screen name, as there is far too many anon people out there! PESGAMING.com updates every day with the latest news about the Konami game, and Interfering With Play is the place where I can say my opinions on that news, and you can get whatever you need off your footballing chest.
FIFA 2008
After a very amusing e-mail from Sean Duffy, and reading the many opinions of visitors to this site, I am not picking up a copy of Fifa 2008. I am a Pro Evolution Soccer fan, and I honestly believe, as with the past 7 years, the Konami game will be the stronger of the two titles. May I say once more though, I do not hate EA Sports or Fifa 2008, and would defiantly not consider myself to be blinkered within my decision-making; I just genuinely consider it to be a weaker game. I would like to take the opportunity, however, to put an end to the “How good Is Fifa 2008” argument for a while, and focus slightly more on the new PES game. Of course, people will compare the two games, and I am sure there will be people who will leave comments referring to both, however the last month has seen the EA Sports game take up a lot of space on Interfering With Play, and as a result, I will be speaking less about it over the next few weeks.
The Demo Raging Within
So after a month of its release on X Box, and almost three weeks of it being available on PC, there is still no demo for Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 on the PS3 Store. I am a PS3 owner, and whilst am shocked by its lack of availability, I am far from surprised, and more curious as to why Sony have not made the game available for download. Games like Jericho, which are released on the same day, as PES2008 are now available as game play demos, so the question should really be put to Sony. I found the PC demo to be a perfect stopgap, keeping gamers playing Pro and creating feedback about the game. I have heard that the X Box 360 demo featured a number of bugs, however it still received positive feedback overall. Whilst I am aware the demo may still come out this Thursday, I will probably not even bother downloading it. With the game just a week away, having a 70% complete version of the game seems to lack any appeal to me. PS3 players, I ask do you feel let down by Konami by this? 360 players, did you experience any major bugs that stopped your enjoyment of the game? And to everyone, can you think of any reasons, other than Sony’s incompetence, which the demo would not have been released for. I am very curious,
Sorry, You’re Not A Winner
My final point of the year is bringing a little bit of sentiment to the site. With all the excitement of the new PES game, its sometimes easy to forget that for the past 12 months Pro Evolution Soccer 2006 has been keeping us entertained in many formats. From the always popular Master League, to the one on one battles with your best mate, to that last minute penalty save online, it been a major part of many peoples (including mine) lives since last October. So I have decided to offer you the opportunity to honour the players that have performed to well for you over the past season, in the Interfering With Play Player Of The Year Award. The formats simple, you respond to this article, or e-mail me below with the name of the players (up to three) who have been star performers for you on Pro Evolution Soccer 6. It could be a striker who helped your side to constant victories over a mate, or a goalkeeper who kept you in a crucial online league match, or you ever present centre midfielder who helped your side lift the Division one title. It’s totally up to you, as its kind of the Players’ Player of the season. Please include your name on any responses to make sure your vote gets counted, and should there be a big enough response, the results will be announced next week.
So, there you have it, another week and another article. Cast your vote for the Interfering With Play Players of The Year Award, and as always leave your responses, comments and mails, I will promise to read each one. My E-Mail address is danbolas@hotmail.com, so feel free to speak to me via MSN, and my PS3 gamer tag is thebolder, so hit me on there if you have a PS3.
Thanks for Reading
saha constantly scored 50+goals 4 me each d1 season
c.ronaldo is just amazin
so is rooney
I agree it would have been nice to have played a demo of Pro Evo on PS3, especially since Seabass and his team have always asked us to judge them on this version. However, here in probably lies the answer as to why we haven’t seen one yet. They want to make it the best version out there and so don’t want to give us a half finished version to pass comment on.
Like you say though, its only 10 days away now. 10 VEEEEEERRRRYYY long days I might add!
These were the most reliable and consistent players in my team for PES 6:
1) Kherzakov
2) Pirlo
3) Heitinga
They rock.
Very upset that ps3 have not released a demo. My only reason for a ps3 was to play pro evo, even though i have an xb360 and i’ve enjoyed the demo, it never felt right playing such a game on the 36o. If fans can show such loyality to a console, why the hell dont playstation show the same loyality to us by releasing the demo ages ago…out of order!!!!!!!!
Anyway…my most reliable players (pes2006)
(1) Villa — 13 ML seasons 600+ goals
(2) Porborsky (Reborn)
(3) Camacho
…i doubt there was anyone who actualy was 100% sure that a demo would be released for the PS3. I always try to be optamistic but always find myself beeing let down by Sony…whether it be a poxy demo…or still after about 10 updates not being able to check my mail in-game….i know this all will change but i cant help feeling sore….
oh my most reliable players on the ML were:
1) Ahn Hung whan (The chineese made the best cheapest players at the beging….had like 2 80 stats lol)
2)Roy Keane (when i had a bit more cash….someone to boss the midfield)
3)Giresse (i once scored three free kicks in the same game with this guy from short..medium and long….had a hardon for weeks)
One of the things that i dont like about Konami is the way they keep screwing up small importants things. Its good that they always try to focus on improving gameplay however, other aspects of the game which i believe are much more easy to improve, are forgotten.
Im talking about:
commentary and sound in general
editing: now it seems Arsenal home kit template is not the game which is unacceptable
the fact that in the Japanese version WE10 u change the shirt, shorts and socks mixing them up
Some simple common sense things which are obviously good and do not demand so much work could improve the game a lot. This is the big let down,its the best of football but it doesnt improve, especially on the areas it needs improvemente and everyone can identify them clearly.
First place is easy: Fabregas. Was top assister in several seasons + all-time leading assister, 10+ goals in most seasons, and he helped me win the treble twice with the gunners (in five seasons). The other two are a little more difficult, but I think I’d vote like this.
1). Fabregas
2). Henry - top scorer
3). Akoto - powerful DM linchpin
Honorable mention: Kolo Toure, Y. Pele, Rodallega (Rodagol), Rosicky, E. Barreto, Micah Richards
1)kuyt always banged 25-30 a season
2)huntelaar for the same reason
3)joao moutinho(sporting lisbon)-developed into the next steven gerrard
also players like de guzman, heitinga, aissati, joaquin and stekelenberg
I think one of the fundamental reasons why we have not seen Pro EVO 2008 on the ps3 is sony have a comercial deal with EA hence the sports demos you can download are mainly EA.
As fifa 08 is out on the shelves sony must be seen to push fifa as long as possible thats whay we have not seen the new pro evo demo, maybe thursday we will but something tells me we wont….
The 360 demo was fine with me really!
My top 3:
Eto’o (a lot of goals)
van persie
roberto carlos
Found the 360 demo fine, though the game feels clumsy on the pad, i will be buying the ps3 version for the reason above.
Its great that the editing options are producing some really good results, makes you wonder if we really need premiership licenses, they must cost a small fortune, especially if the modders can get an option file out within the first few days of release.
I thought the fifa demo played really well also, i was quite surprised having not played it in about 9 years, my only issue with it was it felt that it played at one pace, and you couldn’t mix the pace of the game up, like you can on PES.
Top Players.
1.Gerrard (played on the right wing)
2.Wilhelmsen (played on the left wing)
3. Agger (after a few season, like a rock!)
360 demo was fine i thoughtnice to see what the new games goign to be like but kept the suspense up because of game length and not many teams
i will buy it on the 360 i had pes 5 on xbox and 6 on 360 and i am happy with the pad you just need to get used to it
best players for me
1)rooney
2)ronaldo c
3)vidic
1. Shaun Wright-Phillips - No 1 can touch him for pace down the line + Scores screamers past people like Ryan Bradshaw and Mat Couchman :)
2. Shaun Maloney - Quality forward the only person who i have scored a double hat-trick with in a game. 9.0 top marks rating after a game aswell :)
and
3. David Villa - I mean the guy has Villa for a surname what better reason do you want. Oh and He’s Class.
the demo is great,bought fifa what a waste of money it sucks
my top 3 are:
1 Rivaldo the best player in the first two pro evos great goalscorer and passer
2 Ronaldo(fat ronaldo)before he was fat he was brilliant in the pro evos always bought him.great striker
3 roy keane used to take control in midfield.great tackler and good at through balls
The great thing about PES is that, you can feel the difference in players. You can have Ronaldinho and a similar player with equal amount of dribbling and technique stats. And Ronaldinho would simply just feel and play better. It’s amaizing!!
Top Players:
1.Fernando Torres - Year 2013, 96+ overall skill and still going - nothing can stop him!
2.Cesc Fabregas - Year 2013, 94+ overall skill and still going - Dominates midfield!
3.Wayne Rooney - Year 2013, 96+ overall skill nad still going - Since he appeared i PES, has been outstanding.
4.(Outsider) David Villa - Even though his skills “only” surpass 90+ overall, the accuracy of this played is amazing…
Can’t wait to see the skills of Bendtner, Laudrup and Dos Santos in PES2008!
1. Mauro Rosales (Ajax) - The man has made himself a Pro 6 legend for me, tormenting my mates defences down the left wing, cutting inside and unleashing rockets!
2. Wesley Sneijder (Ajax) - Pure class, always a first buy on master league, can score from anywhere on his day, scored some absolute screamers!
3. Ivan Klasnic (Werder Bremen) - Awesome. Averaged 60 goals a season in my master league, absolute hammer of a left foot
All time Pro Evo Legend:
Alvaro Recoba - Has NEVER failed to score for me when playing against one of my best mates, in his final game before i retired him, he scored the winner after taking it past 5 players with the last touch of the game to keep his record going.. Legend!
Although I am not German, my favorite player in PES6 was the one and only Michael Ballack. He was my no. 1 and I’m stunned by the fact that no one mentioned him here until now. I believe he is the best AMF or CMF in PES6 because he can pass, he can head and he can shoot. The only drawback is his low stamina, but that can be managed.
And my second favorite player would be Kalou, an excellent choice of substitution for Drogba, when he got worn out after 80+ mins. And in ML, Kalou had a great potential and felt really nice to control and score tons of goals with.
Once again:
1.Ballack
2.Kalou
Cheers
Three best players for me in PES6:
Based on masterleague with Real Madrid.
1. Guti
2. Fernando Torres
3. Anelka
Also a small detail which could be improved on the PES series is having points to spend, why not money?
sfe wad up
Interesting article :)