FIFA 13 officially detailed, first screenshots released

Electronic Arts has officially detailed FIFA 13, which will introduce "game-changing innovations" and include the "largest and deepest feature set" in the history of the series. Firstly, the attacking AI allows players to analyze space, work smarter and harder to penetrate defenses. The intelligence also allows players to create, curve, or alter runs in order to take advantage of potential openings. In addition, the "most comprehensive and intuitive dribbling system ever developed" has been included in FIFA 13. Entitled "Complete Dribbling," the system gives players the ability to utilize precise dribble touches, accompanied by "true" 360 degree mobility with the ball. This will make it easier to be more dangerous and creative within 1v1 opportunities. Changing directions faster, increased acceleration with the ball, and shielding defenders for a longer amount of time are all included as well. Furthermore, FIFA 13's 1st Touch Control has been detailed, which "transforms the way players control the ball, eliminating near-perfect touch for every player on the pitch, and creating variety and uncertainty around ball control. Factors such as defensive pressure, trajectory of the ball, and velocity of the pass now impact a player’s first touch, creating more opportunities for defenders to win back possession." The Player Impact Engine has received considerable improvements, as well as the fine tuning of free-kicks, as detailed by EA: The second generation of the Player Impact Engine expands physical play from just collisions to off-the-ball battles between players. Defenders push and pull for position, and use their size and strength to win possession or force opponents into poor touches and decisions before the ball arrives. FIFA 13 Tactical Free Kicks provides the tools to create dangerous and unpredictable free kicks utilising the most skillful players on the pitch. Position up to three attacking players over the ball and utilise dummy runs and more passing options to create elaborate free kicks. Opponents can counter by adding or subtracting players to the wall, creeping the wall forward, or sending a bullet man to intercept the pass or block the shot. Finally, FIFA 13 will deliver several new features and refinements including: Improved Career Mode with major changes developed in response to requests from the most passionate fans of the franchise New features to enhance the massive EA SPORTS FIFA online offering, including improvements to the wildly popular Head-To-Head Seasons mode Multiple new features and benefits to EA SPORTS Football Club, the live service that is the heartbeat of FIFA Complete authenticity with more than 500 officially licensed clubs Additional new modes and features will be announced during the coming months. A Wii U version of FIFA is also in development, but the developers are not ready to divulge any information on that yet. They did, however, comment on Kinect integration. Executive producer David Rutter explained: "Yes, we've figured out a way to get it in there. We'll be showing it off later this year. I'm happy with how it's worked out. When it was announced at E3 last year, everyone was concerned but we said we'd do right by the franchise and I feel that we have." He also commented on the myriad of changes EA Sports is implementing into the umpteenth FIFA installment: "We are perfecting the best sports game in the world with innovations that capture all the drama and unpredictability of real-world football. These are game-changing innovations that will revolutionize our artificial intelligence, dribbling, ball control and collisions to create a true battle for possession across the entire pitch, and deliver freedom and creativity in attack." FIFA 13 will launch this fall for -- deep breath -- the PS3 with PlayStation Move support, Xbox 360 with Kinect compatibility, PlayStation Vita, Wii, PC, PS2, Nintendo 3DS, PSP, iOS and other mobile platforms. In other words, the game will be releasing on every current-generation console, as well as several last-gen platforms too. Meanwhile, the title's first screenshots, including in-game images, can be viewed below.