FIFA 10 Wii - Online Update

[EA_SidMisra]

Hey Guys,

It's a day before I can officially start posting stuff about what we have done with the FIFA Wii game this year, but since online is such a hot topic I wanted to share some info specific to online a little earlier - it deserves it's own post!

Goals for FIFA 10 Wii Online

First let me tell you what my goals were for online this year (it's pretty simple really) - if you and your opponent have decent internet connections, then the game should play as well online as offline and you should be able to complete the games! And because the game plays so well online, a larger online community starts to build for FIFA Wii. That's it (told you it was simple!).

So what happened with FIFA 09?

Ok, so before I get to the news I wanted to share with you all, let me also tell you that the disconnect issues with FIFA 09 Wii were a result of an error in the code. I noticed reading through the FIFA 09 Forums that there was some confusion as to people's internet connections or what-not, and while that might have caused some problems, the big one was on our side. We've fixed it.

"Oh great, you fixed this one issue, but there will probably just be a new one for FIFA 10..."

Let me stop you there! Not only did we fix that one issue, but as part of our commitment (and more than a little embarassment), we have made a lot of changes in the tools and processes we use to test online, all to ensure that FIFA 10 online is a better experience than you guys were even hoping for.

Is it working?

The only real way to know if it's working is to test it out in the real world, so that's exactly what we did. We recently had a huge worldwide play session playing FIFA 10 Wii online - here are the countries that were represented:

• UK
• Spain
• Canada
• USA (Florida & California)
• Romania
• India
• Singapore

So 8 very different regions playing in a real world environment. During a full day of online gameplay (almost 400 games played), our completion rate was 95%+. You read that right. Makes me giddy - cause we're not even done yet! We can still improve upon that!

Next Steps

As I said, we are still continuing to work on online - the play-test found a few issues that we are addressing, and there is another big play-test happening in August - I'll definitely be posting the results of that one when it happens.

Let me know if you have any questions about this. Really looking forward to you guys getting your hands on the game and getting online - maybe I'll even find some of you for a match in the fall!

Cheers,
Sid.

[The_Ruler86]

Originally Posted by EA_SidMisra

Hey Guys,

So what happened with FIFA 09?

Ok, so before I get to the news I wanted to share with you all, let me also tell you that the disconnect issues with FIFA 09 Wii were a result of an error in the code. I noticed reading through the FIFA 09 Forums that there was some confusion as to people's internet connections or what-not, and while that might have caused some problems, the big one was on our side. We've fixed it.

.

I just can't believe I am reading this. Sad to hear those really. So, EA sold many numbers of faulty products and people couldn't play the online game because of the fault of EA? And now, you say it is going to be fixed in Fifa 10, well but I think you should have fixed those things in Fifa09 too... People paid for it and bought the product, and a patch or an update would be a good "apologize" but I don't think it is the best way to apologize from the customers by expecting them to buy the game again.

I really don't want to be rude. but I thought you could find a more fair solution for that

(by the way, I am not a wii player, but just felt bad about the situation)

[EA_SidMisra]

Hey The_Ruler86,

Thanks for chipping in, we definitely feel/felt bad about the situation also. Just to clarify something though, people were still able to play online matches, but there was an issue that made it more frustrating for some. It did not seem to affect all people equally, but it certainly did cause annoyance when it happened when it was a result of the game.

Unfortunately we are not able to patch our game on the Wii, which is why we made it an extremely high priority for this year to improve our online testing practices and tools so we don't have this kind of issue again.

Doesn't do enough for those that were affected in FIFA09 except hopefully renew/build their confidence in the FIFA Wii series and our commitment to delivering a great online experience. Of course, seeing is believing which is why I'm on here trying to give everyone as much visibility as possible into how our online testing and playability is going this year.

Hope this helps,
Sid.

[Komalt]

Well all I can say is thanks for doing your best to make FIFA 10 great. The online fixing was a must and now is done. Thank you.

Looking forward to the first screenshots and some gameplay.

[Tagg7]

EA_SidMisra: Excellent, and thanks very much for the update. I realize that it's due to limitations set by Nintendo that you cannot supply patches so I really appreciate the fact that you're working that much harder to make sure it ships as bug-free as possible. Also looking forward to some screens/videos.

[The_Ruler86]

Originally Posted by EA_SidMisra

Hey The_Ruler86,

Thanks for chipping in, we definitely feel/felt bad about the situation also. Just to clarify something though, people were still able to play online matches, but there was an issue that made it more frustrating for some. It did not seem to affect all people equally, but it certainly did cause annoyance when it happened when it was a result of the game.

Unfortunately we are not able to patch our game on the Wii, which is why we made it an extremely high priority for this year to improve our online testing practices and tools so we don't have this kind of issue again.

Doesn't do enough for those that were affected in FIFA09 except hopefully renew/build their confidence in the FIFA Wii series and our commitment to delivering a great online experience. Of course, seeing is believing which is why I'm on here trying to give everyone as much visibility as possible into how our online testing and playability is going this year.

Hope this helps,
Sid.

Thank you so much for your reply Mr. Sid. For a moment, I forgot it was not possible to patch a game on Wii, and I am sorry for this. It is because I am a PC gamer and installing patches for everything.

I hope Fifa 10 will be a big leap forward for all the platforms I am looking forward to playing!!!

Wish you a successful era

[Froggy22]

wow, the first time someone from EA has spoken to wii users. thanks

cant wait t hear what else has been done

[gtheule]

So what happened with FIFA 09?

Ok, so before I get to the news I wanted to share with you all, let me also tell you that the disconnect issues with FIFA 09 Wii were a result of an error in the code. I noticed reading through the FIFA 09 Forums that there was some confusion as to people's internet connections or what-not, and while that might have caused some problems, the big one was on our side. We've fixed it.

So, when do we get our cheques as beta testers for 09? I'll go and spend it on '10. What? No cheques? After all of the time we spent on the boards looking for answers as to why the Wii online experience was so messed up? Not that we ever found a way to make it work - I still haven't been able to play an online game yet, although admittedly I gave up a while ago. Yeah, I'll be running right out to "buy" 10. I'll get right on that.

As a side note, I'm glad that you decided to publicly release the information that the game was fraked while it's still in stores... oh wait, it's only in stores for another couple of weeks? I'm not glad. What's the word I'm looking for? Oh yeah: lalalalaed. If this is the best marketing you guys can pull off (hey, last year's sucked but you can trust us this year,) you guys need to head back to the drawing board. Thanks for the Fail y'all. PES here I come!

[kopiteUSA]

shut up!!!!!!!!
pes will never b as good as fifa

[gtheule]

PES, to the best of my knowledge, has never shipped a beta product as "finished." The don't have the licenses so they actually have to try harder.

[Froggy22]

ive had both PES on the wii, and honestly, theyre no good. ina weird way, it feels like a dumbed down version of Football, i guess you could call it soccer, feels like its been made by Americans. Fifa is way better

[Alastairhufc]

I am glad you finaly admitted Disconnection Problems were your fault but it took you a long time (9 months) to admit it.

[BLaZiNgSPEED]

Indeed, lol.
I was extreemly surprised that EA admitted that the bug was from their side. I have actually played online a lot in the past and disconnect issues have been occuring. But EA always lied to us that it was a server issue and not the game itself!

And that was clearly a big mistake because having not admitted the bug in the past created an impression that EA seem to feel that they are perfect and that there's nothing in fault.

And that's the root of all evil, because with this kind of impression, you'll always think that there are no needs for grounds of improvements...

[ClubAmerica]

Will there be updates? Update the players stats, as some are really under rated. Make them accurate ratings plz

[cymru78]

When 09 was released I was extremely looking forward to it because at the time I had only just bought my wii and went on to replace my ps2.

But for me, I only wanted fifa to play online as I don't usually bother with the manager modes etc.

So you can imagine my frustration with the online issue. There were days when I didn't manage to complete one game.
I was annoyed that EA would tell myself and other users that it was my internet connection causing the problems when it was clear it had nothing to do with my connection.
Some people seem to think that members of the general public don't know how computers and networking works - very ignorant indeed.

I got so frustrated that I traded my fifa 09 for another game

Now that this 'apology' has finally been made and EA have finally admitted their error - will I purchase Fifa 10?
I am very tempted having seen that I can pre-order for around £25, but I might just wait for other wii users to buy it first and keep an eye on these forums.

[ClubAmerica]

Sid any new info!!!!!!!!

[usmnt10]

omg I find it hilarious that you tell wii users its their internet connection that was screwed up causing them to call technicians and new routers. even switchin internet provider. you cost lots of people out there lots of money and you just come out and say "I'm sorry, buy our next game thats gauranteed to lalalala you off!" Let me ask you if fifa for the wii is gonna be so good where is 360 degree dribbling? where's the custon set pieces?Where the hell is any changes made to the other systems? As of now I have no intention of buying fifa 10 because I bought fifa 09 only to find out that I like fifa 07 on the GAMECUBE better. Here's a thought screw the wiimote and make sure that the next installment is based off of the classic controller. make gameplay that invites me to play and doesn't look like it would be some sort of episode of looney tunes. so far the only thing the wii has done with the fifa series is lalalala me off and steal my money. why don't you just get the people who make the other fifa's to help out with the wii.

[Adam145]

Thanks Sid for your co-orparation and giving us this information because no-one has ever spoke to us.

[BazKidBFly]

I am amazed that EA did not offer a replacement disc, once they corrected the problem in FIF09. I hope they will offer a discounted price on FIFA 10 for existing FIFA 09 owners. The disconnect problem was a flaw in the product, as such it did not work as described.

[MichaelDragonFly]

OMG Wii have online mode it is so cute LOL.

[Harald]

Are you sure that you're 23?

[magicpie32]

Originally Posted by BazKidBFly

I am amazed that EA did not offer a replacement disc, once they corrected the problem in FIF09. I hope they will offer a discounted price on FIFA 10 for existing FIFA 09 owners. The disconnect problem was a flaw in the product, as such it did not work as described.

if only...

[SBFC-Chris]

Originally Posted by EA_SidMisra

Hey The_Ruler86,

Thanks for chipping in, we definitely feel/felt bad about the situation also. Just to clarify something though, people were still able to play online matches, but there was an issue that made it more frustrating for some. It did not seem to affect all people equally, but it certainly did cause annoyance when it happened when it was a result of the game.

Unfortunately we are not able to patch our game on the Wii, which is why we made it an extremely high priority for this year to improve our online testing practices and tools so we don't have this kind of issue again.

Doesn't do enough for those that were affected in FIFA09 except hopefully renew/build their confidence in the FIFA Wii series and our commitment to delivering a great online experience. Of course, seeing is believing which is why I'm on here trying to give everyone as much visibility as possible into how our online testing and playability is going this year.

Hope this helps,
Sid.

Wait, why couldn't you offer a patch? We can download updated squads, so why not a patch? Either through the Wii Shop or as a download in the game?

[EA_TimStump]

Downloading executable code on the Wii (for non-WiiWare titles) is not allowed. This is why no games on the Wii can be patched.

[Komalt]

Thats really dumb on Nintendo's part....

These things are getting more and more expensive so you might as well let companies patch or add additional content for free....

Still deciding if I should go out and buy a PS3 or Xbox 360, I like wii and all, but I'm looking for more of a simulation football game, and it seems like there heading in the arcade like direction.

Also the Euro 2008 wasnt on Wii so I dont know if World Cup 2010 is going to be on Wii which is great International > Clubs in my opinion