Weak vs Strong

Fifa 13 Scripting - Post 6

Another section of this momentum debate (which is what it has become on the forums) is the possibility that a weak team on Ultimate Team actually has more of an advantage over teams that are stronger.

For example a team with 3 or 4 bronze or silver players playing against a high rated gold team actually always seems to have momentum on their side to balance the game. The weaker team will play stronger than usual and the stronger team will play weaker.

Numerous times players have told me they have beat a strong gold team with their starter bronze team not because they were better but just because no matter what the opposition did they just couldn't score. Either this is because the bronze keeper becomes superhuman or the attackers just miss every opportunity.

An interesting example was raised by one of the readers of this blog the full comment can be found here (opens in a new window) but I have chosen a section of it below.

"Since I noticed that it was harder to control de ball with the bronze players, I started to experiment with chemistry so that the overall rate of my team could be lower without giving away my gold players, I was really impress to discover that my gold team played much better without a manager and with the chemistry of 96, than when they had a manager and a chemistry of 100, I have managed to have a gold team with good players rated 174, team rated 79 with chemistry of 96, I did that by having three bronze players rated at 40 on the bench and moving my cf to play as st, so they still have the green lines between them, but the chemistry gets a little lower specially because I did not use a manager, all I can tell you is that since I did that, the force is with me, I almost never get screwed by the CPU and my team plays much better" - wax[]

This is something I have never directly attempted to do but it does make sense to things I have experienced in the past.

I have found from building my team from scratch and working up through the divisions every time I play a better team I seem to do well either winning comfortably or drawing when, on paper at least, I should have lost. However, as soon as my team becomes far superior as in the case of my Barcelona/Real Madrid hybrid my matches became to be more and more difficult.

It was actually easier to play when I had weak links in my team.

What are your thoughts on this?

As usual leave a comment and spread the word.

Responses

Fifa 13 Scripting - Post 5

So there has been a lot of responses on the forums as well as this blog regarding this issue but one that caught my eye was from a post which I have added below.

Basically what is said here is that FIFA 13 Scripting is bullshit and that of course you will concede in the last 10 minutes if the opposition goes attacking that is what happens in real life.

I agree yes there is no scripting in FIFA, as I have explained on the previous posts, it is a momentum shift and again yes the opposition does go more attacking the in last few minutes if they are losing who wouldn't? 

The issue I have along with many others is no matter how attacking your opposition goes nowhere in the world would this make your players turn slower than usual and run slower than they have been.

Why should gamers who have put their hard earned money into the game in this economic climate be punished because FIFA thinks if you win by too many it is unfair on the opposition?

Why should the players you bought with coins be restricted from their potential because FIFA thinks you are too good and it is unfair on the opposition?

Thoughts?

As usual spread the word leave a comment.

Consecutive Wins

Fifa 13 Scripting - Post 4

A few players have recently approached me regarding this subject the question they raised was "Do I think that after a certain number of consecutive online wins the next few matches become more difficult as to try and balance the game a little more?"

The problem with these questions is that we move away from the facts and evidence provided in the first post and move towards more conspiracy theories.

Don't get me wrong I have experienced this especially in Division 1 where you need to get 7 out of 10 wins to win the title and get that "Gold Pack". You will typically win the first 3 or 4 matches with relative ease and then struggle in the next two. 

This could be down to a mental state of actually thinking you will walk the division and as a result you become more lapsidazical in your play or is it something more?

Could it really be that because of the Gold Pack EA do not want you to win it constantly because you will flood the market with players? 

Think about it 1 match lasts roughly around 15 minutes dependant on stoppages so that's 4 matches an hour give or take. Some players can play for 8 hours a day easy non-stop in some cases even longer. So that equates into 32 wins and if you won every single one it would give you 4.5 gold packs (the 7,500 coin version). This would be equate to 54 cards in total with a base pack value of  33,750 coins.

Multiply that with the amount of players that play the game who are that good online and that is a lot of money EA would be losing out on. Not to mention the amount of cards that would flood the market and lower the coin value of players and consumables. Again a lot of coins for EA to be losing out on.

Thoughts?

As usual if you like the above leave a comment and spread the word.

Possible Reasons for Scripting

Fifa 13 Scripting - Post 3

So recently I have been thinking Why? Why would EA add something that changes the game so much but also if it was included in FIFA 09 why is it only now causing everyone such a big problem?

My experience of the issues are solely Ultimate Team online. Now I can't speak for the other online mode Head to Head Seasons because I haven't done any of that yet this year. I assume, however, it would have the same issues as Ultimate Team but maybe not as drastic and I will explain why later in this post. I also know that playing the CPU you tend to end up conceding in the 45th and 90th minutes pretty much every other match but offline modes are nowhere near as obvious as Ultimate Team.

So Why? I will use the Ultimate Team as an example as that is the area where I began to notice it more than anywhere else. I think that the reason behind it is that EA, as we all know, are money grabbers and Ultimate Team is the "ultimate" money grabber.

Think of it this way if you were a decent player and knew you could get through Division 3 and Division 2 with relative ease but you actually only just scraped the title or promotion because of questionable losses. Wouldn't you think, at least at first, your team was too weak? As a result you buy FIFA points to get a quick boost to your team and EA get a quick payday.

As another view point think of the players on the other end of the scale who aren't very good. Would they really keep playing if they constantly lost? I very much doubt it and as a result the FIFA 13 scripting helps them win or come back to a draw to keep them playing. These types of people are usually the ones that would put money in to try and help them get a better team so they win more often. Especially if they think they are only just losing out because of luck and it's not down to their skills online.

In addition to this as FIFA has increased the randomness of ball bounces and especially this year with the first touch the momentum shift is more and more noticeable because players make more and more mistakes. Multiply this by how Ultimate Team players are already boosted in comparison to their offline counter parts you have a recipe for disaster.

We can only hope that next years release that this is at least toned down a bit but we also know that this will never happen if money is involved.

As usual if you enjoyed this post spread the word and leave a comment.

The Next Four Matches...

Fifa 13 Scripting - Post 2

As a follow on from my previous post I decided to run another 4 matches using the "Match Intensity Calculator" as a test run to see if I can still get the same results.

However, I am now using a completely different team. I sold the team I mentioned previously for over 300k worth of coins and built myself what some, myself included, would call a "Pace Abusing" team.

Now I could never understand why some people would just buy a team full of ridiculously fast players I myself play a passing possession game hence why I had the Barcelona/Real Madrid combination of the previous team. However, the amount of times a came up against a team full of fast players who just hold sprint the entire match to try and catch you out was astounding. In addition to the speed you obviously had the momentum shift (Scripting) in matches. As a result it was a nightmare to defend using my favoured 3-5-2 formation which had supported me so well through my FIFA 11 campaign.

Even though this type of team goes completely against my core values as a FIFA player I decided to give it a go. The team I had consisted of the below using a 4-3-3 formation.

4.5 Stars - 100 Chemistry - 80 Rating

GK: Diego Alves
LB: Gael Clichy
CB: David Luiz
CB: Dede
RB: Danilo
CM: Ramires
CM: Lucas
CM: Paulinho
LW: Neymar
ST: Welliton
RW: Hulk

Lucas was bought as a CAM and changed to a CM with a CAM > CM card which cost me 10k!

The first match in Division 1 went horribly wrong the change in pace and style was just something I wasn't used to and even with understanding the match intensity I just couldn't overcome my opposition and lost the match 2-1.

I decided to give it another shot but this time instead of just trying to run like everyone else that has a team like this I resorted to just passing it about like I normally do hoping to only use the pace of the players if required.

Even with a team like this straight from kick-off the players felt sluggish and unresponsive. I'm sure many of you have experienced this as well. So I took my time passing around the back line and midfield just allowing the sluggishness to wear off and the momentum to shift in my favour. As I started to feel the match change I started to edge forward and what do you know my first shot went it. Not a bad start at all.

I repeated this process throughout the match and ended up winning 7-0. However, in my opponents defence he must have put the controller down at 4-0 because he didn't move for the remainder of the match but still it was a good result.

With this added confidence and fresh understanding of the advantages of this new team I started a new match but this time entered the Gold Cup to see what they could do in there. Currently I have won every Cup Tournament I have entered on FIFA 13 so far so I was a little nervous because I do get quite attached to undefeated records.

My opponent didn't exactly have the best team but he was decent enough, still a relatively easy match in truth which I won 5-2.

The final match I played was back in Division 1 again. This time my opponent had and amazing team consisting of players such as Hugo Lloris, Aguero, Kompany and Hazard among others. I knew it was going to be a tough one but stuck in there an actually won 3-1 with the help of a couple of lucky bounces but a win is a win in my eyes.

As before if you appreciate the points I have made above please spread the word and leave a comment.

My opinion about the alleged "Scripting" to do with FIFA 13 online play

Fifa 13 Scripting - Post 1

The allegations of scripting have begun to shake the very foundations on what FIFA is based on and that is its unpredictability but how "unpredictable" is it really?

If you spend any small amount of time online browsing the FIFA 13 discussions recently you may have noticed there seems to be a certain area that is being quickly red taped by EA and that is any discussion to do with or relating to anything regarding FIFA 13 being scripted. If you are not aware EA are now permanently banning anyone talking about this on their forums.

If they have nothing to hide why are they so bothered about it? Some may argue that if it is not true but people start to believe it then ultimately the bad press will damage their reputation and as a result their pockets. This is a fair and valid point but all they are doing to defend themselves are to ban any user who voices their concerns or opinions.

To give you a bit of background information on my gaming history I have been playing football games for the past 18 years and been gaming for the past 20. I began playing FIFA with their FIFA 95 release on the SNES and stayed with FIFA all the way to the release of PES 3. This was the turning point for me and I became a PES fan it had become, albeit for a short time, a far superior and more realistic game than FIFA. Then release of FIFA 09 brought me back to the series all the way up to today and they reclaimed their crown of having the best footballing game.

Every year I have quickly dominated online players easily making an impressive win to loss ratio and with the introduction of Head to Head seasons in both "Seasons" and "Pro Clubs" Division 1 just becomes a matter of time rather than the question of is it possible to get there. 

Veterans of the game who have as much time and understanding as I have instantly notice if something is a miss during a match. This could be something as simple as a miss placed pace to a turning circle an 18 wheeler would be ashamed of. These split second differences in a game as fast paced as what FIFA online has become make a substantial difference and ultimately cost matches. Even some casual gamers have come up to me with no knowledge of this Fifa 13 scripting issue and told me about some matches they played the previous night and the unbelievable things that happened.

The word "Scripting" as what these noticeable changes during games have become more affectionately known as is probably the incorrect term. The word would suggest that each match is actually predetermined before kick off. This is not the case FIFA does not decide who wins and loses as some might suggest it merely shifts momentum one way or the other depending on scorelines and the time on the clock. This in addition to the boosts players have on Ultimate Team anyway adds to a very noticeable change in fluidity and as a result increases questionable actions in defence and comments about FIFA 13 scripting.

If you are reading this then you are probably having the same issues and if I said to you that in the 45th and 90th minute you actually seem to concede more goals and end up drawing or in some cases losing matches you would probably think I am psychic. Well I'm not its just the way FIFA is set up.

Below is a screenshot that was posted on a German forum by an alleged disgruntled Ex-FIFA employee who decided he would shed some light on the scripting or momentum shifting we have began to notice.

The image is quite self explanatory but I will run through a scenario with you.

• Within the first 15 minutes you go 2-0 up the match intensity actually shifts in your favour by +2 buts adds a negative to your opponent -1.
• Between the 15th and 45th minute the score is still 2-0 but now you only have a +1 momentum and your opponent is now back to normal at 0. The game will now feel a little more balanced than in the first 15 minutes but you should still feel like you are in control. 
• From the 45th to the 60th minute is where it all changes the score is still 2-0 but now your opponent has a +1 momentum where as you are back down to the default 0. They get a lucky bounce and the score is now 2-1 and now the difference of 1 goal moves us to a new line on the match intensity database.
• Between the 60th and 75th minute they still have a +1 to your 0 but you manage to keep them from scoring and you keep it at 2-1.
• Now up to the 90th minute you have a +1 momentum but they have a +2 and in the 90th minute your defenders miss place a pace or seem to be easily bundled off the ball for an easy finish and the game ends 2-2.

Sound familiar? This happens so often it has become noticeable and memorable.

Apparently though this has been around since FIFA 09 but it just hasn't been as noticeable even their manual explained the affect it can have on your players.

Now don't get me wrong losing sucks I hate it when I lose but if I get beat off an opponent that deserves the win I will hold my hands up and accept I was outplayed. However,  if I lose because of something out of my control then that really pisses me off.

Two examples I can give you that I have personally experienced over the last 3 days. One game I was winning comfortably 2-0 I got hit on the counter and it was 2 on 1 - fair enough. One attacker was running down the wing the other through the centre with the ball. I had control of the defender in between both attackers but a bit further in front of them as an attempt to slow down the ball carrier until the other defenders could get back in position but also to watch for the pass if it was made. However, to my dismay my other 2 centre backs (I was playing 3-5-2) decided to stop running on the half way line. As a result I quickly changed to them to start running them back myself knowing from experience that the defender I was just controlling would automatically jockey the ball carrier with the contain button. As soon as I switched to the second defender the original one stopped running completely and I mean to a complete stop not slowing down an actual stop and ultimately let the ball carrier past. I then immediately switch back to him to make one last ditch tackle and as you can probably predict the second defender stopped running back as well (surprise surprise). As a result my opponent scored and the final result actually ended up being 2-2.

In another match the attacker had the ball on the wing and was about to cross it in. I knew this because that is all he had done all game. So as I had previously done in the match as well as in hundreds of other matches I positioned my player on the lone attacker in the box. As I expected he made the cross but the defender I was controlling suddenly and automatically pulled forward (The attacker was shooting left to right and crossed from top to bottom) this was even though I was holding down on the analogue pushing into the attacker to move him away from the heading position. Now this pull I felt from my player wasn't just a step or two away from the defender this was a whole 5 or 6 yards in a sprint. I couldn't believe it but then I knew for definite what I had read online about FIFA 13 scripting had some ounce of truth to it.

In case you were wondering this was my team

5 Stars - 100 Chemistry - 85 Rating

GK: Victor Valdes
CB: Pepe
CB: Mascherano
CB: Gerard Pique
CDM: Sergio Busquests
CDM: Xabi Alonso
LM: David Villa
RM: Alexis Sanchez
CAM: Kaka
ST: Benzema
ST: Higuain

The problem with all this is that is it very easy to blame a loss on scripting. I have seen a lot of videos on Youtube recently where people claim to have been scripted out of a match but really its just them being actually quite poor at the game. However, there are still those that have caught questionable moments in a match where the player actually has no control on what is going on.

As a result of my research I decided to test a little theory I had basing it on the Match Intensity database and the FIFA 09 manual I came up with a plan of action to do with my attacking mentality and the use of the quick tactics option.

I created a simple excel spreadsheet that calculated the match intensity based on the the score line and time and tells you what mentality and what tactic to play. I tried it and to my surprise it actually worked I won my next 3 matches 7-0, 4-2 and 4-0 in Division 1 even though I could sense the speed of my players had actually slowed and sped up at different points in the match. I could also tell that my opponents were having a hard time playing not because I was outplaying them they were really good players but because I understood the shift in momentum and what to do at different points in the game.

You can download it for free here [Opens in a new window]. 
 
Don't get me wrong this is no sure fire way to win constantly, you still have to be a good player and know how to play but with a better understanding of the momentum it helps. By all means its no way to play FIFA to have to constantly amend the tactics and clock watch just to stay ahead of the game but i tell you what if you can get a win from it and not feel cheated surely its better than nothing?

I am sure I speak for all FIFA players when I say this but we know that momentum is in the real game and it should be included in FIFA but don't punish good players because they can score more goals than the opposition and then set it up so the losing team can make a comeback. I would rather win (or lose) against someone that is worse (or better) than I am in an honest game of skill.

If you appreciate the points I have made above please spread the word and leave a comment.

Thanks.