Customisation is a direction we want to go in
HEXUS: Can you clear up the confusion behind the game engine for UEFA Euro 08. Is it basically FIFA 08.2, or is it a new game engine?
Simon I’ve read so many times on forums that a different team makes FIFA and Euro, but that’s only in terms of the menus, the game modes, the presentation and the rendering. Gameplay is just one thing. So they finish FIFA 08, draw a line in the sand and then start working on Euro. Finish Euro, draw a line in the sand and then work on FIFA. It’s not quite that straightforward because we need to get FIFA underway quite early, but essentially we build on top of FIFA and then FIFA builds on top of Euro.
HEXUS: The word ‘innovative’ is used in almost every press release for every new game, including your own. What redeeming feature makes UEFA 2008 innovative?
Simon ‘Battle of the Nations’ is probably the most innovative feature. We’ve never done such a social competition before and sitting here now I can tell you that we don’t know what’s going to happen. Of the 53 nations in the tournament, we don’t know how many of those are actually going to get represented in the game. You can’t buy a next-gen console in Azerbaijan, but I’m sure there are players based in Paris, Berlin etc who will represent that country. It might even get to the point where someone signs up for a new account, just to play as a country that has got no-one playing for it, we just don’t know.
HEXUS: If the powers that be told you that you were limited to creating a game for only one platform and the choice was yours. Which platform would you develop for and why?
Simon Oh come on, I cannot answer that question.
My initial reaction to UEFA Euro 2008 based on some hands-on time is extremely positive. I’m reserving judgment though until I’ve played it in some depth. I have the review code now, so expect a review next week.
UEFA Euro 2008 is due for release on April 18th.
