Interfering With Play – Tuesday 2nd December 2008
Posted by Dan Bolas in Interfering With Play on Tue 02 Dec
IWP League Champion 2008: Martin Ginnelly (River Plate)
Welcome to this week’s Interfering With Play. A few brief housekeeping points before we get into the meat of the column, the first of which being how pleasing it is to still have a bustling community following the game’s release. Six weeks after a game goes public, interest in promotional material unsurprisingly decreases, just look at titles like GTA or LBP. The fact we have a sire still receiving thousands upon thousands of hits a day is a very good thing. Secondly, the promised comparison article between Fifa 09 and PES 09 has been delayed, due to my own health. Having been ill to the point of being stuck in bed since mid last week, I have been unable to put the necessary time in writing a comparison article I would be proud of. Well on the road to ‘full fitness’ now, I plan to have the article ready for this weekend, and thank those of you who have waited for it. Moving on lets roll into this week’s Interfering With Play.
“Stuck In America”
I start this week on a subject that I have naïvely avoided for so many weeks and months, especially as the game was leading up to release, that subject being the number of American’s playing Pro Evolution Soccer and the ‘issues’ they have playing the game both online and offline. Having made contact with a fair few of these individuals, and with even more voicing their concerns on the forums and comments pages, I feel I should bring the information into a public domain. Just to fill those of you in the picture who are unfamiliar, the game is now available in the U.S, features the same ‘online’ experience and is currently (at the time of writing) running on version 1.10, which is the one prior to all the shiny transfer updates the Europeans have been enjoying for the past few weeks. Whilst, to my knowledge at least, features no specific differences from the one we are playing over here, the American’s still had to wait longer for the game to be released, and still have been seemingly ignored within the patching process of the game.
Before we go any further, I would just like to point out to everyone that I am fully aware that the U.S.A get games weeks before the EU release dates in some cases. It os very rare a game is released among all three regions at the same time (EU, US and Asia). The reason for this is to help gage supply and demand within the different regions, as well as ensuring each region is appropriately stocked for that release date. Nintendo are the one gaming company that currently still try to do worldwide releases, and quite simply their stocking and supply ratios are embarrassing, just try getting a Wii Fit board for Christmas! This is no the fault of Konami, who are simply following the lead of every game developer and publisher on the land, and during time purchasing games for PS3 on the day of release, which includes all the big ones, I have never been disappointed by lack of stock or the game being sold out, proof that the system is obviously working. Therefore, a game like Pro Evolution Soccer, which is geared more towards a European market, will tend to have an earlier EU release date than over the pond, with an NBA or NFL game seeing the release dates switch around. Further, games like Little Big Planet and Resistance 2 all were scheduled for release dates in the states weeks before European release, proving that overall, the big picture would be US gamers get the majority of ‘big’ games earlier!
The patching issue is one that will simply follow suit. Whilst no doubt exceptionally frustrating, the patch will probably still take three weeks or so to come into implementation from the games release, so in other words, with the games official American release date being the 12th November, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see version 1.20 popping up within the next week or so for the U.S. It is, unfortunately, not as simple as using the same patch for both the EU and U., S version, as the region settings on your console need to be adhered to. This is particularly an issue for 360 gamers, with Microsoft’s strict policy on data sharing. Therefore, to all those angry American’s out their waiting for their update, my advice is as above, just wait it out, because you won’t have to wait too much longer.
“Whose That, Get Off The Train”
That’s right, over 100,000 words written in blog format and I have finally used a Blazing Squad lyric for a heading, the humanity! Before everyone gets outraged, I don’t follow or like blazing squad, it is simply there to illustrate a point. Almost as an advert now, but this sort of time every year, with people asking a for the usual lists of iPods and mobile phones, I always bring up one Christmas present idea that I am shocked isn’t more popular, the PSP. Yes, I do own Sony consoles, but I also own Nintendo ones and have had a huge variety of gaming machines in my house over the years, so do try to be as unbiased as possible, but even Microsoft fans could take a look into this piece of equipment if your struggling for a present this year.
Because of the incredibly easy to use Nintendo DS, the PSP has seemingly fallen to the back of a pecking order of two. It is far superior in 95% of ways to the Nintendo machine, but touch screen pen of the DS has allowed pensioners and kids to get involved in the already mentioned casual gamer generation, making the DS a huge success and obliterating the competition. But from a technical point of view, I am surprised more people don’t own a PSP, with those that do not using it to its full capability. The new PSP has a built in Microphone, to go along with the Wi-Fi link up, Mp3 Player, Mp4 Player, full Internet browser and Internet radio set up. There are also free links to demos and video’s on the Playstation Store, and the ability to download PS One classics at the touch of a button for cheap, saving them on your system for ideal ‘on train gaming’. Couple this with optional Sat Nav and TV packages, and what you end up with is your own portable entertainment system.
So why no love for it in the mainstream media? TV adverts have started showcasing what the machine can do, but its been around now for nearly four years, had two damming obituaries already against its name from the powers that be, yet continues to lie down and die. It has been well documented that certain games don’t translate well, and yet developers seem to continue to make these titles for the PSP. FPS are less than ideal for handheld, yet they still come through in abundance, whilst some PS2 game ports just simply aren’t equipped for the lack of shoulder buttons. My suggestion is as follows, buy games that are easy to drop in and out of, so playing them in-between train journeys or on lunch breaks is easy to do. Football Manager Hand Held has got me through many a quiet period at work, and my Bojan / Vagner Love forward line is starting to run wild in the Premier League! Worms and Crazy Taxi are also excellent alternatives, and last but not least, Pro Evolution Soccer is also available.
My point here is pretty simple, people always are looking for Christmas ideas, and most people seem to ignore the PSP, but since having one, I have been able to dip in and out of playing it with ease, and highly recommend one to any gamer.
“Baby, I’m Addicted”
Now, I am well into my Become A Legend career mode on PES 2009. Bolas is a first team regular at Stoke City, occasionally losing out to the frustrating Michael Tonge, and setting up moves from midfield is proving to be very rewarding indeed. The game mode could definitely have benefited from a more simulation style menu environment, including more training mini games and the option of a sim’s style apartment, like ISS 2000 used to have, but as a whole, is actually a lot better than I thought it would be. Those who are yet to experience the mode yet, I strongly recommend, like so many other have, to limit your match time to 5 minutes a game to help whiz through training matches or games when your substitute, and just simply get stuck in. I have started to find myself caring about the results a performances of other players within my team, knowing which players have which strengths, who to launch the ball to and who to play in behind. When I have been sub, I would sit their willing my team mates on to get a goal, hoping that my influence will help steady up the ship and keep the score line a positive one. And I have found myself verbally yelling at Michael Tonge for shooting when a simple pass was on!
With all that has been made of Fifa’s BAP mode and the 10v10 online, and Pro Evolution Soccer’s online Legends mode, it would have been easy for Konami to do a very average job of this mode, making it too easy to get your stats up and just let people play a substandard game setting, but, whilst still far from perfect, they have included an addition to the series that is both beneficial and a stepping stone for future versions of the franchise, which in my opinion, is always a very good thing.
“Obviously, She’s Outta My League”
With PES 2009 frustrating me online at the moment, (to the point where every time turn it on and see the awful Konami ID screen, I log straight back out) I have decided to opt for a few online matches of Fifa 09. As my review stated, I am a fan of the games online experience, and whilst don’t play many games in the offline mode at the current time, I will log on and play against all the Fifa regulars and those whose passion is the game, with the view that I should get destroyed by a variety of beautiful footballing styles.
Or simply, by every single opponent picking Barcelona! I know this was a problem of PES online, but there are still a choice of maybe four or five options to go for, with teams like Inter Milan and AC Milan being just as effective. Seemingly not on Fifa. In 6 different lobbies, with 6 different individuals everyone was Barcelona. In the be A Pro online mode, the game was Barcelona v. Barcelona, and quite frankly, with the selection of teams made available on Fifa, you would hope that people learned to play with someone other than Barcelona.
So here is my question, how would you recommend levelling the playing field when using teams online? Realistically, a team like Barcelona would win the majority of the games in real life, so surely the online counterparts would do the same? But realistically, AC Milan would beat Portsmouth every time. Football isn’t that predictable, and there has to be a way of either encouraging gamers to use different sides online, or a greater reward system for those gamers that do use lower teams in a online game. Any suggestions or ideas to this topic would be greatly appreciated.
With that said, the teams used in the 2009 IWP League, will once again be randomly assigned by me, and all of a similar ability. Last seasons sides included River Plate, Marseille and Celtic, which leads to contrasting styles of play and not simply relying on pace or flair players in order to pick up a result. Closing date for applications is still two weeks away, but get your initial forms in now to avoid disappointment, because places will be limited!
“The Children Of The Revolution”
Just to end on a quick point regarding the comments last week about removing Pro Evolution Soccer from a number of different formats, most namely the PS2. I would like to start by saying I play Pro Evolution Soccer on PC and have done for a number of years. In my opinion, the PC version should always be made as an alternative for those who cannot afford or accommodate a major console. PC gaming is an easy moneymaker for any developer, and doesn’t require the same stringent advertising as required in the console market. I was simply raising the point to see how many of you still followed the game on its PC format.
Some people also seemed very unhappy that I suggested getting rid of the PS2 version, with one forum member pointing it out as a stupid question. To be honest, it is time for the PS2 mode to vanish now and allow Konami to concentrate on the next generation. Eight versions of a game on any one system is an excellent achievement, and the progression that has been made over that period of time is highly commendable. Whilst leaving the series alone on PES6 on PS2 would have been taking the system out of the running on an all time high, Konami stopping PS2 development after 2009 would be seen as bowing out gracefully. Yes, this will frustrate a lot of younger gamers out there who are yet to buy into a next generation console, but with the 360 being cheaper than most pre pay mobile phones, and the PS3 also dropping deals lately, the option of going next gen has never been cheaper. Put simply, if you don’t move on from the old consoles, your newer games improve less, and this is something that needs to happen for the good of the series.
That’s your lot this week. Huge thanks to Dave O for the IWP, as per usual. interferingwithplay@hotmail.co.uk is the place your e-mails can reach me, along with my comments, which I read, and moderate as appropriate. I don’t moderate opinions; I moderate relevance, so keep it on the subject of PES or risk being deleted. Please take the time to check out www.thefootballforums.com if you have a spare 10 minutes, and sign up. It’s free, and it’s the upcoming place to discuss footballing matters.
Thanks for Reading
uno
European OF are compatible with american game, matter of fact, I’m using D&B OF and it works perfectly OK, so, there shouldn’t be any compatibility issues between euro and american 1.20 patches. It should be out soon.
Third.
Top of the League FC
good article yeah i have a psp got one for my birthday last christmas i havnt played it as much as i would liked since i got a ps3 but i have gone back to it latly and brought driver 76 is is crap it dont acually work proply and freze my psp and then resets its self i am looking for some new games this christmas so if any one has any surestions that would be great
How do i go about getting my name put down for the IWP league???
6th
7 is the magic number
Totally agree, the psp is a fantastic piece of kit. And sadly overlooked. Ive had mine since launch day. And i download basically any game i want for it, old or new, and havent even needed to buy a u.m.d. disc for years now. Sadly there is a serious lack of new original games released for it, or of any kind, for that matter, this past couple years, but for the back catalogue alone, its worth considering buying one, if youve got the funds. Theres some real gems. Also, any old retro games, from the bygone days of Sega and Nintendo, can be installed onto it pretty simply, and play exactly as you remember them. Not to mention any videos, music, or whatever. I swap stuff between my ps3 and psp all the time, its a doddle. Including the excellent official kits and transfers etc. that i downloaded from the forums here, on this top site. Who needs Fifa!? ha!, give me pro anyday!
Must admit tho, over the last 3 years, ive spent far more time on fifa on psp, than pro evo on it. Thats the 07, 08, an 09 versions obviously. I find fifa just far more suited to psp, and much more playable over a long period of time, it has so many modes, cups, challenges, leagues, manager careers, even bloody quizzes on it!. Hours of skiving at work time, dwindled away!
I think the problem with everyone using Barca isn’t going to go away unless they create new online game modes. I’m talking about leagues like Master League, where you have to earn better players and trade players with other teams. The other option would be to make it so that players can choose a new mode where there is a coin toss, and one player picks their team first, then the next player is allowed to pick a team, but only teams which are equally good or worse. Then at least if one of the players wants to use lower ranking teams, the other player would have to as well. You might think that this would result in half of the matches being Barca vs another powerhouse, but my guess is that part of the reason people use Barca is because they are afraid that, if they don’t, then the other guy will. If they could pick any team knowning that their opponent would have to choose someone relatively close in abilities, then you would see more interesting matchups. Konami would have to create classes of teams for this (A, B, C, D, E, F) but I don’t think that would be too difficult.
Has anyone got this years PES on psp yet? Is it any different in terms of game play to the previous 2 versions? I know it has BAP and online play in but how does it play??
Yes, i have it on psp mate, just downloaded it at weekend. I havent tried become a Legend yet on it, as i play it all the time on my ps3, but had a couple exhibition matches and started a master league. I downloaded all the official kits from the forums here, to make it look the part, but to be honest, im not impressed with the game. It seems exactly the same as the last 2 editions on psp to me. Feels and looks the same in game. Animations look the same too. And same one single stadium to play in! The only differences are cosmetic. New menus, music, and edit mode. Although the edit mode is much improved, on a par with ps2 now for the kits you can create. But not worth forkin out for in my opinion.
wow thank you so much for recongizing us USA version pes09 fans i appriciate it so much. lets hope konami releases it quick. i did also write a comparision about pes09 and fifa09 but my stupid ass accidently DELETED IT!!!! yea so ill make it short quick. wow im mad. OK pes pros and cons fifa pros and cons. ( caps are most important)
pes09
+GAMEPLAY ( big one)
+easy to use menu interface
+shooting ( i think its a big deal)
+teams are well balanced ( except barcelona way over powered its ridicoulas i mean et’oo runs 1000mph.)
-GRAPHICS (ps2 graphics)
-licensing ( doesnt really matter but gets annoying at times)
-response ( sometimes the players just sit there and dont move)
-master league ( same stuff)
fifa09 pros and cons
+ GRAPHICS ( i think graphics play a major part in a game it just makes it that much exiting)
+ ONLINE ( just non-laggy hopefully konami will fix theres soon)
+ manager mode/ect
cons
- GAMEPLAY ( it acually does get boring after a few game it just doesnt feel right when you score)
-shooting ( shooting system is the same you really only score 2 ways eaither bottom right or left of net)
-menu system ( its 2 complicated and feels really confusing i hate it)
to me pes09 is better but it doesnt feel like a overall package. fifa09 lacks only one vital thing. im not even gonna name it because all of you know. i just wish konami would supoprt its costumers like fifa o9 does. i have all the new patches for the US version for fifa09 still waiting for my PES09 VERSION KONAMI cya guys best of luck
PATEGATO, ARE YOU SURE? I have both games, and my EU option files don’t play in my US game.PS3
Do you have to change something?
thahks
Robbye
PSP’s are too dear, they should drop in price before i consider getting one, i havent had a handheld console since the original gameboy years ago, the psp is basically a top-range mp3/video player that plays games yeah?
According to Konami’s Winning Eleven 2009 network portal site, updates for the game will be available 9th of Dec to Asian region.
let’s hope that this is the same date for US region (although no information available on the North America website).
exactly like i said if they dont release a patch for the US version im saying bye bye to pes09 i wont play fifa09 over ill just play my other games cause that plain retarded customer service.
thats me up top
Hey sportsfans, check out Simon McDermott’s new website
http://www.timeout.com/london/gay/features/5210.html
I don’t know why you are eager to get rid of the PS2 version. The game has been neigh to unchanged since PES6 and there is absolutly no harm in putting it out every year as it is with new transfer updates.
I do not think KONAMI even puts a month of programming into the PS2 version. What would be better though is if they took the PS2 version, placed it beside the next-gen versions and said. Hey let s take the best of the PS2 version and put that into the next-gen versions.
Instead they opted at creating a completely new game and that includes taking away options we like and have come to think of as default options (No GK control, No extensive editmode (PES2008), New Online Mode that does not work).
Sometimes when I think of the PES team I see them driven as artists just to make something that makes people react and it doesn t matter if it is a bad response or a good response as long as it a response. They are creating trends that open up better ways for other developers just because they always want to do things their own way.
If KONAMI takes away the GK control people go crazy because it has been in all other games. If KONAMI takes away the editmode somebody will eventually put that in their next game (FIFA), If KONAMI has a crappy online mode it shows other’s what not to do. So as long as they keep doing things “wrong” somebody else will react to it. Maybe the artists at KONAMI see it as an inspiriation to make a product that not only makes a majority happy but also put themselfs on the map just because of what they did even if it’s not good. They get their reaction and art is all about reactions, even if it is, in PES 2008s and PES 2009s cases, bad ones.
I think konami should remain ps2 pes version…for those youngster gamer, they are not effort to upgrade to next-gen console.But another issue, in asia we can buy any pirate ps2 game in anywhere with just about rm5 (about0.90pound).So, should the game developer invest money to ps2 console?
my sister went to school with one of this sites regular bloggers and though his views in my opinion are usualy spot on, people should know he was once better known as simon mc turdybot because of his limited bowell control, still good blog s mate. Keep up the good work!
Dan Boreas sez:
“I play Pro Evolution Soccer on PC and have done for a number of years. In my opinion, the PC version should always be made as an alternative for those who cannot afford or accommodate a major console”.
Cost of 360 Elite with 2 games = £270
Combined Cost of my PC = £1200 +
So what the hell are you talking about? PC gaming is for those who want the very high end avante garde of gaming technology at their fingertips.
ooh look at me i m simon mc hermit, iv e got no lass, no life so i just sit at home on me pc playin pes whilst wearing mothers wig and frocks
I agree with matthecat. It is for those who love gaming.
I agree the cost of these games are really high.
give me the patch u moronic bastards
Still waiting for PC in Canada to be released
by the way how do i donwload psp games without using a umd like where do i find them thanks
“lackoftalent Says:
December 4th, 2008 at 3:11 am
Still waiting for PC in Canada to be released”
is out, you have to buy it and downloaded online from the web stores.
>Caniggia: “Sometimes when I think of the PES team I see them driven as artists just to make something that makes people react and it doesn t matter if it is a bad response or a good response as long as it a response. They are creating trends that open up better ways for other developers just because they always want to do things their own way.
If KONAMI takes away the GK control people go crazy because it has been in all other games. If KONAMI takes away the editmode somebody will eventually put that in their next game (FIFA), If KONAMI has a crappy online mode it shows other’s what not to do. So as long as they keep doing things “wrong” somebody else will react to it. Maybe the artists at KONAMI see it as an inspiriation to make a product that not only makes a majority happy but also put themselfs on the map just because of what they did even if it’s not good. They get their reaction and art is all about reactions, even if it is, in PES 2008s and PES 2009s cases, bad ones.”
Are you trying to make a joke? If you are suggesting that Konami creates online problems just to be different/artistic, then I think you must be joking. The tone comes off very serious though, so I’m really not sure where you’re coming from. Taking away features is another issue altogether from artistic decisions. It’s just a bad move on their part. I think what you are TRYING to say is that Konami continue to make EA’s job very easy for them. For example, by creating a revolutionary new mode like Fantasista and not using it for 2 years, they have just gifted their major competitor, big time. On the same note, creating a game with online issues is also making things easy for EA, and shows them what not to do with Fifa. I agree with those facts, but let’s not confuse this with artistic choice, unless you’re trying to be sarcastic. These are mistakes, and if anything, they show that Konami don’t care or try as hard to win this battle with EA. I think if they did care, or really felt threatened, then we wouldn’t see such things happening. I agree that at Konami they are artists first, but not everything is done for artistic reasons. They make mistakes, and do bring things back when they realize their mistakes. Art is trial and error too.
Thanks RobotRodney for your view on PES PSP. I thought it would be much the case. Looks like another year of Fifa on PSP!
One way Konami could stop people choosing the same teams all the time, is to allow you to play as your master league team with the stats upgraded to the level that you currently have them in your master laegue. At the moment you can choose to be your master league team, but the stats of your developing players are reduced to default, this renders the mode semi pointless, as its no good spending all that time and effort to build up your players stats, only to have them reduced back to default every time you take your team online.
Another system they could employ is to have leagues or tournaments set up, where you design your own team and are allocated a certain amount of purchase points like in fantasy football leagues. You then get to spend the points on players from a global catalogue and build your own starting squad of players to begin the league, tournament or ranked matches. As the season progresses you could earn more points as in master league and add to your squad, you could even add a tournament design system like in COD5, where you could add different perks or rules to the tournament/league, such as only one of each player available for selection, a limit on same nationality players, a limit on grade A players ect.This system does not have to be used in just leagues and tournament, you could also use this team in normal ranked match play, giving you more experience points to spend on new squad members and even unlocking bonus modes, teams, kits, boots, classic teams, skill moves, players ect.
You could have tournaments or leagues where teams are randomly allocated, so you all click into the tournament and teams from different classes are assigned randomly. It could even be designed so that wins with lower ranked teams are worth more points, or it could be like Pes6 online, where you have to choose three separate teams from each class and take part in a league ect.
As you suggested Dan, you could have a reward system, with players being allocated more points, taking them further up the global ranking for winning with lower ranked teams. You could also add a scenario system to this such as win 10 matches against someone else playing as Barcelona with a C ranked team to get extra points, or score 10 goals with Rooney, win a derby match, 10 goals from 25 yards ect, 10′000 points for winning a match with a every team from a ceratin country, with the ranking of that country dictating the amount of points you win, and also point and trophy rewards for winning a match with every team in the game, this would give people challenges and actively encourage them to play using a multitude of different teams. At the end of the day people will choose the route that yields the most rewards, at the moment that’s playing with the best team, as that results in a better chance of winning and a higher league position, if you change this so that it is actually less rewarding and limits your experience, then people will change. Basically I think if Konami give people loads of choice of leagues, tournaments, perks and scenarios for editing in a huge number of ways allowing for lots of different types of matches, then people will no longer spend all there time being one team as the they will no longer be rewarded for this tactic and this will actually decrease their gaming experience rather than increase it.
my cannabis addiction has been userped by my BAL addiction… although one feeds the other…
It’s usurped, not “userped”…..you stoner fool!!
haha!!!! classic!!! got a brain like swiss cheese mate :)
Вообще, когда видишь такое, посещает мысль, а ведь это ж так просто, ну почему я это не смог придумать Респект автору :)