Trading Standards / Watchdog - read if you have problems with Wii Fifa 09

[GrahamUK]

Hi guys, given numerous people have reported faults with FIFA 09 Wii and EA have yet to respond I feel that it is necessary to involve outside agencies. I am thinking of contacting either Trading Standards or BBC Watchdog about the problems with FIFA 09 on the Wii and the lack of any formal acknowledgement or response to these issues from anyone in the development or customer service team.

I need you to individually present your problems on this thread with dates you listed them (so please don't say that you have the same problems as the guy above, please be specific and state them). Please also include any attempts (with dates) to contact EA support to get the problems fixed along with your incident number. So for example:

--------
I noticed

The clashing kits in Manager Mode
Online Disconnection issues
Lack of configurable controls that exclude disabled gamers (not a good thing for a title that is suppsoed to be 'All Play')

Contact with EA:

Emailed Tech Support 6/10/8 [Incident: 081006-011398] about configurable controllers. response 10/10/8 (3 days over stated 24 hours response time). Response did not resolve issue.
--------

If I can build a portfolio up, it may prove that we have reported these and have been made to wait beyond what is a 'reasonable time' for an acknowledgement and promise of action (ie patch). Please no swearing, just the facts, just the factes so i can pass this thread straight to the relevant parties for them to run with the ball (pun intended)..

Cheers
Graham

[shushymario]

I contacted ea about the online play and they said:

Hi,

Thank you for contacting Electronic Arts.

Online connectivity issues involving your Nintendo Wii are often caused by
Internet communication restrictions from firewalls or other computer
security applications. This article provides information regarding the
protocols, ports, and communication requirements for configuring your own
firewall or computer security application for the Wii console and Nintendo
Wi-Fi USB Connector (if applicable).

Although this article covers many aspects of setting up and troubleshooting
your connection, please note that it is not a comprehensive article since
there are many different types of software and hardware available for use
with your Wii. We recommend that you consult your firewall's instruction
manual or the firewall manufacturer's web site for additional information.

Allowing TCP and UDP Traffic

Your Wii console may require unrestricted access to several sites across
various ports and protocols to function correctly. However, many software
firewalls restrict outbound access. If your firewall blocks outbound
traffic, you need to make sure the ports listed below are open:

TCP: 28910, 29900, 29901, 29920, 80, and 443
UDP: Allow all traffic to all destinations. (For peer-to-peer connections
and gameplay.)
Download Nintendo's Network Test tool
http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/sys...rkTest.jsponto your
PC to test if outbound UDP is allowed.
(Note: The PC must share the same connection and firewall used for your
Wii.)
Please note that by allowing the traffic to the destinations listed above,
you are essentially removing a significant amount of firewall protection for
your network. It is up to you to determine what security needs you have for
your own network, and to decide the most ideal configuration for your
network settings to meet your needs.

Additional Information for the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector Users

If you are using the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector, and have a software
firewall (or other computer security program installed on your computer),
there may be additional steps you must perform to allow a successful
connection.

"Trusted" Applications
If your firewall or PC security program keeps a list of trusted applications
(also known as a "trusted zone"), there are 4 programs that are installed
with the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector that require Internet communications.
If prompted by your firewall or PC security program, add the following
programs to the list of trusted applications:
NintendoWFCReg.exe (Nintendo Wi-Fi Connector USB)
Setup.exe (when installing the USB Connector)
SoftAPInstDrv.bin
mdriver.exe
"Trusted" IP Ranges
There are also potential ranges of IP addresses that may need to be added to
the "trusted" zone for your software firewall or PC security program. Each
of these would need to be opened up for TCP and UDP traffic, or for some
firewalls or security programs, added as a "trusted" zone. Please consult
the manual for your firewall or security program for more specific
information. Add the ranges listed below to your "trusted" zone:
192.168.1.1 (subnet mask 255.255.255.0)
172.16.1.1 (subnet mask 255.255.255.0)
0.0.0.0 (subnet mask 255.255.255.255)
Software Firewalls Identified as Being "Incompatible" with the Nintendo
Wi-Fi USB Connector
We have identified the following software firewall(s) as being incompatible
with the use of the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector. We suggest using another
firewall product, if possible:
Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite
(Note: In order to use the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector, Zone Alarm Internet
Security Suite must be completely uninstalled from your computer. Simply
disabling (turning off) the program will still not allow a successful
connection.)
Turn off any VPN programs running on any nearby computers
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is typically found on a computer belonging
to someone who needs to create a secure connection to an outside network
(for example, someone who works from home away from the office). VPN
programs can interfere with the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector, and must be
turned off or disabled.

If there is anything else we can help you with please let us know.

Thank you

Kurt
EA Online Support

shame the link to nintendo doesnt work! *faint*

[shushymario]

I found the correct address for the test thing | Nintendo - Customer Service | Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector Test Application
says my pc is fine so ive told ea that it must be their problem. wonder if they will accept that or not...hmmm lol

[GrahamUK]

Ok thanks for posting Shushy, lets hope some more give feedback also...see if ts the same..

[-Roo-]

I have only two major concerns about the game. Actually three.

1. Online play is unplayable. Server crashes most of the time and when I do connect it most of the time is pretty laggy.

2. Graphics are incredibly awful. FIFA08 looks a million times better than this. There are no animations whatsoever. Players don't react when they're tackled or they've just missed a clear goal-scoring opportunity. There is no animation of the players entering the grounds etc. Also the player's kits don't ever have wrinkles and look incredibly fake. What's funny is that all of the mentioned above are present in FIFA08. All they had to do, AT LEAST, is port the grpahics-engine for god's sake! Oh and I want to see my team lift a trophy for once. I'm not asking for rocket-science here but at least give us something to look at!

I'll give them credit for the player's animation when they're tackled or fall. The rag-doll-esque physics look better than last year's two animations.

3) 8vs8 is cool... but where is Be-A-Pro? The Nintendo DS version has it but the Wii version doesn't. How disgraceful EA.

I never contacted them for several reasons, the main one being that I am sure they won't ever give a rat's *** about what I think about their game.

[stu_trout]

081029-009100
I am having lots of problems while playing Fifa 09 online, it continually drops connection while playing online, 90% of the time a goal kick happens the game crashes out and if i am 1-0 down then this will count against my ranked status.

can you please explain what is going on, please do not give me the usual spiel about my firewall as i don thave one and i can play a number of other games with no issues!

[MonkeyBreese]

Same problem re online issues with Wii.

I contacted EA via email to ask about the problem and they replied asking for a screenshot, IE a response for a PC gamer. I replied and they sent another message with a Nintendo link, which didn't work.

It's clearly nothing to do with my connection. Other online games are working fine on my Wii. It's CLEARLY a problem with their servers - the problem seems worse in the evening when 200 plus people are online and better during the morning when less people are online.

The problem of not being able to change kit colours in manager mode pretty much makes this version of the game worhless.

Sloppy stuff. Sort it out EA.

[MonkeyBreese]

PS next time I play I'l record how many times and when my connection gets dumped and post it on here. Normally it's when a goal kick is taken.

[FallenDevilz]

Obviously, It's pointless me 'recording' how many times I get D/C'ed, cause I usually get ****ed off after the 3rd time and turn off the game lol

Devilz.

[GrahamUK]

guys, thanks for feedback...keep it coming..the more responses the better.

[Shedly]

i had 2 full-time games of the 600 i played,

gg

[mickymoo72]

Hi Graham... I've posted today on another thread and must apologise for the language .. must have played 99+ games today... every single one disconnected. It's quite frankly a joke. They should be taken for trade descriptions... the box quite clearly states online play... perhaps we got the PS3 box????

[ScottyBFC]

I have the same problem as every other person that has fifa 09 on wii. online play just doesnt work. I have never found an interactive league match. Every normal game i play is laggy and i havent found any1 that says online play is good.

[mike_o_uk]

hey guys......

same problem as everyone else online mode sucks!!!
of the 50+ games i (tried to play) only finished about 15!
doesnt matter what time of day i go on it wether there is 100 or 200+ people online i still get disconnected its also the laggyest game ever you think smash bros is bad this is in a differant league all together! terrible!
all my other online games work fine (mario kart, battalion wars ect)
its an absoulute joke we pay £35+ for this and dont even get to play it properly
sort it out ea

[Froggy22]

i dont really get much lag. Fifa 08 was one of th worst online games for lag, it always had delay lag, but 09 seems just as laggy as the xbox360 version, which isnt very laggy at all

[iamdwalrus]

the online gameplay is non existent and the interactive leagues are a mere myth, i sat last night (10/11/09) and out of 10 games i managed to complete 1, i keep trying this every other night expecting the problem to be resolved but am left dissapointed, frustrated and damn well angry that i have been conned out of my hard earned money by a massive world wide wealthy company. I know many people who have the same problem with this game and it is disusting to think of the millions of copies of this title that have been sold to the public even though it just simply does not work. Also there seems to be no direct customer support phone number for these technical problems, all they have is useless web sites infering it has something more to do with my PC, or firewall when i know fine well it hasnt as my other wii games work perfectly (including pro evolution 2008btw) i wont be buying anymore EA games

[iamdwalrus]

i have now contacted bbc watchdog about this problem and have also sent a link for this page to them

[GrahamUK]

Originally Posted by iamdwalrus

i have now contacted bbc watchdog about this problem and have also sent a link for this page to them

Can you let us know if you get a response?

[FallenDevilz]

Indeed, This kind of thing is exactly what's needed..
It's all good that we're doing our part and letting EA know that there are problems..
But when they don't listen they definetly need a kick in the right place..
And making the issue known WIDELY (I.E TV coverage etc)
Maybe they'll start listening and working things out..

Devilz.

[kevpie1980]

had my first full game this morning........at 5.10am!!!

and i still lost 2-0!!

[iamdwalrus]

hi guys.. i am sorry to say i have not had any response forom the bbc watchdog's yet but i've had an idea that maybe possibly if we all sent in a complaint to them it would help more (they may not act on one single soul complaint), in my e-mail, i also sent a link for this page and told them of the lack of customer support with the dodgy links and errr ...no phone number for EA.

Heres where u need to go it'll take u about 5-10 minutes to comlete (lets face it, the same amount of time for 10-12 disconections)

BBC - Watchdog - Got a story

[FallenDevilz]

lalalala Kev, atleast you got a game, I played 42 games that errored last night, all back to back..
Pathetic..
I'll check that link out Walrus.

Devilz.

[gec231]

Didn't try online mode but here are my outstanding issues with the game:
Clashing kits in manager mode
Not all controls available in Advanced mode
That Andy Gray commentary thing
Here's a new one: EXTRA TIME! I am playing 3 min halves and then extra time will sometimes take another 3 mins! It's the real time equivalent of 10-15 mins extra time a half usually.
Location of free kicks: it is often several metres away from where i've been tackled. Clear penalties end up being free kicks often.
Stop players from running into each other ALL THE TIME.
Don't have players just standing around when the ball is 2 feet away.

In manager mode:
finances: whoever heard of no income from an away game!!
what about tv money?
Signing players- transfer fees and contracts shouldn't be lumped together. You should know why you didn't sign -the player wanted more money etc or the club did.
Easier menus to navigate, nothing where you need to press the 1 or 2 buttons.
Option to turn transfer window off. (not realistic but hey)
Sponsorship money: just make it more realistic
I'd like to be given the offers to manage other clubs whilst still manager.
Other clubs more active in the transfer market.
For some reason I never find certain postions on the market LB etc.

But some praise for the game: the ideas are great; using the wiimote to choose passes, most of manager mode, the real names, real faces. So get it sorted!!!

[Froggy22]

Originally Posted by gec231

Here's a new one: EXTRA TIME! I am playing 3 min halves and then extra time will sometimes take another 3 mins! It's the real time equivalent of 10-15 mins extra time a half usually.
Location of free kicks: it is often several metres away from where i've been tackled. Clear penalties end up being free kicks often.
Stop players from running into each other ALL THE TIME.
Don't have players just standing around when the ball is 2 feet away.

i agree with extra time, althought it is much better this year than previous fifas

and i defo agree with the freekicks, somtimes i foul someone closer to the half way line and the freekick is given in range, not far outside the penalty box

but whats wrong with players running into each other, i think that correct, i dont want players running thru each other

[FallenDevilz]

I don't mind players running into eachother, but the time they take to recover is stupid.. The player stumbles around for like 3-5 seconds before you can move, kind of annoying.

Devilz.