In this gameplay video for FIFA 15 EA Sports reveals how much they have changed the goalkeeper position for the upcoming game. As your last line of defense, the goalkeeper has the toughest job on the field and EA is trying to recreate their talents in-game. New animations, improved AI, and totally revamped player models are all a part of the position’s redesign. This rebuild took over two years, and will make its debut in FIFA 15.Â
FIFA 15’s goalkeepers now have over 50 new save animations, improved AI and a realistic player model
To get a better idea of what they needed to do EA worked with professional goalkeeper Tim Howard from the US team. This allowed them to get better motion capture data from an actual goalkeeper, as well as advice on where the game needed to be changed. As Tim Howard says, the goalkeeper’s position has changed a lot over the years. Strikers are getting “faster and more dynamic” which means goalkeepers have had to adapt to keep up.
EA Sports have taken this to heart and added in many new elements to the position. Goalkeepers now have more split and last second save animations, allowing them to block more shots. The AI driving the player has also been rewritten making them faster and smarter. Anticipating attacks allows for a more dynamic experience where your opponent can’t simply blow through the goalkeeper. This lets you put more faith in your goalkeeper, since he will make the right decision about when to charge and when to hang back.
Changing the goalkeeper ends up changing almost everything else about FIFA 15 as well. You will have to adapt to the new mechanics as well if you want to keep scoring goals, creating a more diverse and fun play experience. An example provided in the video above is that you can read the momentum of the goalie allowing you to send them diving in the wrong direction while you score behind their back.
FIFA 15Â will launch on September 25th for PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, iOS, Android, and PC.
