Career Mode finally got some much-needed attention in FIFA 18 – but it’s still far from perfect.
Come FIFA 19 we’d want to see EA Sports push the boat out further and deliver an even more immersive experience.
FIFA 19 Standard and Champions Editions are available to pre-order from GAME and Amazon
We’ve had a think about what should be brought to the table – starting with an absolute no-brainer.
Oh, and remember, to keep up to date with all FIFA 19 news be sure to check out our detailed FIFA 19 article – discussing exactly what we can expect to see in this year’s game.
Right, back to Career Mode.
Press conferences
Last year’s game saw the introduction of transfer negotiations powered by the Frostbite engine.
Here, you’d have to negotiate with agents and managers to sign a player – with gamer choice put in the spotlight.
One wrong move would cost you dearly – often leading to them to become incredibly tense affairs.
Right now, press conferences in the game are pretty dry and do not make capitalise properly on Frostbite technology.
But, given the strong reception to the revised transfer negotiation mechanic, we can fully expect to see a similar presentation echoed in press conferences come FIFA 19.
Here, how you react would shape how the press respond – with fiery and cool responses leading to very different outcomes.
Perhaps you’re quizzed about a player who then hears what you’ve said and threatens to leave the club? The possibilities are endless.
Given that EA has already got a detailed news hub in place – surely this isn’t too much to ask?
FIFA 19 Standard and Champions Editions are available to pre-order from GAME and Amazon
More customisation
Being able to create yourself as a manager would be welcomed by fans – and is well within Frostbite’s capabilities.
There are only a handful of manager avatars a gamer could choose from when starting out as a new manager.
By adding more character customisation, EA would make the experience feel even more personal.
Frostbite makes player and manager models look better than ever – so there’s really no excuse.
It’s a shame there’s no spoken dialogue in the transfer negotiations, either – so maybe EA can find a way of addressing this?
Scenario Mode
In Career Mode, you always start from fresh – and take your team from a base level to greatness (or mediocrity / relegation if you’re as bad as I am).
But wouldn’t it be great to have a ‘Scenario Mode’ – where you’re thrust into a team mid-crisis and have to steer the ship to safety?
Perhaps one team is in the relegation zone and you only have four matches to turn it around? Or maybe you’ve just lost your star striker and have to coach up a young replacement?
As Futhead mentions, EA dabbled with Scenario Mode in the Euro and World Cup games so perhaps it’s time to bring it back?
Time waits for no man, but on the last two FIFAs the ageing process is way too harsh.
After the age of 30, players begin to slow down so dramatically that by 34 they’re pretty much unable to run.
Technical attributes often decline at an alarmingly fast rate, too – regardless of the player.
Seeing a 37-year-old Lionel Messi with a sprint speed in single figures is a tad harsh, if you ask us.
Licensing
FIFA 19 will see the Champions League arrive to the game – but what could it mean for Career Mode?
EA Sports spent a fair amount of time overhauling the much-loved game mode last year, so we’re certain they’re going to raise the bar yet again this year.
To help give you a sense about what to expect, YouTuber FNG has drawn up concepts – detailing how the game menus could look and some features unique to the mode.
Let’s take a closer look.
Along the top, ‘Europe’, ‘Squad’, ‘Transfers’, ‘Office'[ and ‘Season’ tabs feature – allowing for quick access to major menus.
Elsewhere, as per ‘normal’ Career Mode, we’d expect to see options to either ‘Play’ or ‘Sim’ matches.
FIFA 19 Standard and Champions Editions are available to pre-order from GAME and Amazon
A table, showing the different Groups and points accrued would make a sensible addition to the middle of the HUD, while ‘Tournament History’ helps keep track of teams’ performance in the past.
Then there’s the main screen – which we’re fairly certain will keep you up-to-date with all relevant news – injuries, results etc. as well as providing you all the latest Draw results.
As EA Sports has the licence, all of this would be fair game – so they’ll likely want to milk this for all its worth.
We already know there will be a standalone Champions League mode, featuring the official commentary team – Derek Rae and Lee Dixon.
Elsewhere, as seen in PES 2018 – the Champions League logo will emblazon all menus and cutscenes – replacing the Champions Cup.
This would include the pre-match introductions and menus, to the celebration of winning the trophy.
Here’s what winning looks like on FIFA 18.
Now here’s what it could look like, courtesy of PES 2018:
Plus, we’d expect to see details such as the engraving of the winners’ name on the cup – to help add spectacle to the occasion.
All in all, we’re very excited to see how Career Mode could turn out.
Remember, you can read all about FIFA 19 in our FIFA 19 explainer here.
Here, you’ll find our about the FIFA 19 release date, FIFA 19 trailer and much more.
CHECK OUT THE FULL VIDEO BELOW.
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