Are sports games actually developing, or is a new version released every year purely to bring in money for the companies making the games? I've often heard arguments that sports games are pointless, and never change from the previous installments, and are, as such, pointless to buy. I, however, disagree with this notion. I believe that sports games are not only developing, but are also important on a yearly basis.
Features:
For a start, every year, new skills/features are added. In FIFA 08, players can now perform organic skills, meaning they can use a skill animation, but stop half-way through and adapt to their opponent's reaction. This allows completely new skills, such as step-overs, dumbies and numerous other tricks.
Players:
Every year, some players retire, new players join the game and players move between teams. Without new versions of sports games, it would be nigh-impossible to keep pace with all the transfers and newcomers that are involved with sports.
Challenges:
Every new game gives us new challenges. FIFA 08 is giving us “Be-A-Pro” mode, which allows us to play as a single player on a team. That is a completely new feature, never featured previously in a soccer game, maybe even any sports game. This immediately makes me want this product. It completely revolutionizes the sport game genre. I'm not only passing/shooting/tackling, I now need to worry about making intuitive runs, man-marking my opponent, winning all the 50-50 balls.
I personally try to buy FIFA games every year. I love them, they all provide new challenges, and new ways in which to complete the old challenges. I can play as a top team like Manchester United, or I can try and turn my small League 1 team into a mid-table Premiership team. I can take over a relegation threatened team and help them survive, or get them promoted the next season. I am in favor of Sports Games, the question is, are you?
