'FIFA 09' to feature 'exciting' new mode

EA Sports' forthcoming soccer game FIFA 09 will boast a new 'Custom Team Tactics' mode and an expanded 'Be A Pro' feature.

David Rutter, the line producer for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game, told FIFPlay - the franchise's feedback community - that his team is "all very excited" about the new Custom Team Tactics option.

The new mode, which will feature 140 attacking and 40 defensive options, is one of the highlights of this year's annual update.

Rutter said: "One of the new modes that we are all very excited about is what we are calling Custom Team Tactics. The goal for the feature was to distinguish the teams in our game by making each of them play differently according to how they play in the real world.

"In the process of building this feature we figured out that this is something that should also be exposed to the gamers so that they can adjust the way that the team plays to suit their own personal style too.

"We put in a set of 'sliders' so that you can tweak and tune the way your team plays as if you were the first-team coach or manager. There are 11 sliders and options in the game, broken down into 'Defending' and 'Attacking' sliders. Attacking is then broken down further into 'Build Up' and 'Chance Creation' sliders."

The EA Sports games chief also said the popular 'Be A Pro' feature is being expanded into a career mode, allowing users to build a footballer and control them over four seasons.

"You'll get the chance to choose or build a football player, control them for four seasons and grow their abilities using the experience points you gain on the pitch," said Rutter.

"Hopefully you'll be good enough to get spotted by your national coach, with the ultimate aim of being your country's captain, and winning the International Cup to become a Legend."

FIFA 09 will be released in autumn 2008 on PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii and Xbox 360.