GC 2006: FIFA Soccer 07 on X360 Boasts Fresh Engine

In addition to confirming FIFA Soccer 07's 12-month exclusivity for the Xbox 360, Electronic Arts today announced that the X360 version will sport not just updated rosters and gameplay refinements, but an entirely new engine to "redefine the way sports videogames play and feel."

According to EA, the new sports engine, which represents two years of development, is physics-based and data-driven. The engine uses a decision-making layer drawing on new traits and player attributes, leading to natural, individualistic behavior of players on the field. EA says that gamers can now recognize particular athletes by the way they move, as the player models are animated based on individual stats.

"The FIFA Soccer 07 engine unlocks ultra realistic player motion and delivers complete responsiveness due to its ability to branch animations and the real-time calculation of real human biomechanics. Essentially our software engineers are writing human decision-making code," said producer Hugues Ricour.

In addition, the new FIFA features independent ball physics; updates via video, news ticker, and podcasts; and, of course, licenses from worldwide teams.

FIFA Soccer 07 is currently in development at EA Canada, and is expected to reach Xbox 360 this fall.

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