Handicap/Scripting ... does that exist in FIFA 15 Ultimate Team?

Handicap/Scripting ... does that exist in FIFA 15 Ultimate Team?

This is known as biggest mystery of the FIFA Ultimate Mode after 2012. Where in FIFA 12 it was only a rumor, became an apprehension in FIFA 13 which developed into a somewhat accepted part of the game in FIFA 14, and now EA is proud to present us a NEW FIFA 15, claiming to be wholly revamped version of the game. But is this new version free from Handicap/Scripting? We Shall see.

Before we proceed making our comments and views upon the topic, we should be known to the words we are using here "Handicapping" and "Scripting". Though some people take it as one, but they both differ in gameplay. The Definition and Scope of these terms is as follows:

Handicapping : Handicapping is present in online games to balance the game for all players. This means the players playing game from a long time, who have access to many upgrades and unlockables will be given a small amount of disadvantage when he goes online against a newbie. It means Level 50 versus Level 5 will cause a bit disadvantage to the Level 50 player and to some extent (may not be too) advantage to the Level 5 player. This is a fair concept. As it balances the gameplay and supports fairplay. Because how would you feel if you buy a game and go online to see everybody there is overpowered and you just can't stand against them. 

Scripting : Scripting is a new concept. It is different from Handicapping. It is present in single player mode of the game. It is when the engine of the game forces you to play the way it wants. While you may feel the you have total control over the game, but that actually may not be the case. Engine will start causing you such actions, where you would feel it was your fault not to hit the target.

Now after being conversant with the definitions of both of the terms, we should proceed ahead discussing the topic. Do they Exist in FIFA 15 Ultimate Team?

Our first experiment was to check the kick off mode and career mode of FIFA 15. And it was fun playing FIFA 15 in these modes. We tried both single player and multi player (offline). In Single Player it was hard, but World Class difficulty is playable. But after that, EA shows how AI can play with you, and how controlled AI is in lower difficulties. And in Multi Player it was a fair match, no one was given any advantage over the other. As the other player was a pace abuser, so I had to tactically manage my gameplay, which finally resulted in 1-0 win for me. 

Now coming up to FIFA Interactive World Cup Mode (meant for Playstation Network only), it may be seen, that EA has left options for it, to temper with the statics of players. While in this mode, whichever team you select, all players will have their rating adjusted to 85. Nothing more no less. 

Finally entering FIFA Ultimate Team Mode. Our initial experience was very good with this mode. Playing single player divisions, we managed to reach Division 7 without buying a single player from transfer market. Keep in mind that whichever division, we always went for the highest paying and difficult league, i.e., ultimate. Then game started getting difficult, and finally we decided to go for though cheapest yet very good team, i.e., Ligue 1 Squad. You may see our formation and player guide for Ligue 1 Squad HERE.

We managed to reach Single Player Division 5 with our this team. with Barely 3 matches draw and 2 lost. Now from division 5, though game was getting harder, but our squad was good enough to compete even with teams of like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United etc. (in game only). So we decided to proceed ahead with the same team, with one Cheap Budget BPL team as our sub-team. You can see our Cheap Budget BPL team formation and player guide HERE.

It was actually Division 5 in Single Player, where we start encountering good teams at World-Class Difficulty. Though this difficulty was manageable, yet we found that our players have started losing their stamina more faster then earlier (age of retirement may be the reason though :p) and players moving out of their position, for no reason. We don't usually press team-mate to contain, as this way they lose their actual position and leave open spaces, but even without pressing team-mate, they started moving, more surprisingly not towards the OP team's player, but to the reverse, leaving him open spaces to exploit. But as I'm better at defending then attacking, mostly managed to play & win at World Class Difficulty, making way to my Division 3 Single Player.

In Single Player Division 3, almost every team is at World Class Difficulty, with a few exception, and one team at Legendary Difficulty. Though Difficulty Level Was same as World-Class, which we were managing from the earlier divisions, but we knew, as we move ahead, game is supposed to get difficult. So we got prepared. But Division 3 is ridiculously hard. Not just because higher rated teams are their to face, but also the game engine causing us react very ridiculously, while our players were missing from 4-10 yard shots, AI could manage to score some unrealistically amazing goals, even from the half of the pitch. Our defenders were all relaxed. Our AURIER, with about 85 pace was being over-run by players with 40-60 paced strikers, even when they were dribbling. Our tackles were worthless, even if we manage to get a touch of the ball by tackle AI could instantly recover it. Our touches to AI were causing cards and stops and AI was never stopped even when he kicked us clearly inside the box. Referee was acting like a bribed official, giving ridiculous decisions. While playing honestly, with all our efforts, we could only stay in the division. 

Now EA is not going to admit it at all. So for the sake of getting their attention and giving them evidence to believe, we are going to post BEST SCRIPTING MOMENTS OF THE WEEK, just when EA releases their GOALS OF THE WEEK.

OK EA. We admit your anticipated explanation for this. We shall get a better team. Which should be atleast rated 84. With players to suit our style of play (EA you know building team with RONALDO, MESSI, NEYMAR & BALE is not possible at this stage of our game).

Now coming to the online DIVISIONS. We listed all our good players in the transfer market, just to gain some coins and be ready to upgrade the team when time comes. And so decided to compete in Division 10 Online with our favorite bronze team. In this Division, we even faced some 50-70 Chemistry RARE GOLD Teams, and managed to win title without a loss. And in this time, We managed to gain some coins by selling our Cheap BPL Team, and with some earned coins, we decided to go with second Cheapest but very-very good squad from SERIE A. For formation and Player guide for this League, click HERE.

Now while we had a 82 rated SERIE A Squad to play with, we jumped in Division 9, were were amazed to see that we were made to face some rated 85-86 squads, just at Division 9!!!! Now an old ultimate team follower knows that there is no squad in FIFA ULTIMATE TEAM which may go over 87-88, it was surprising to see such teams in just second step of the online Divisions. while we managed to Win our first three matches, from some fairly good squads, we were left with 7 matches remaining for promotion and title. We started feeling, we were being forced to face many higher rated teams, which normally included Neymar, Aguero, Lewandoski, Reus like players. While we felt those players were not good at game, and were just trying to abuse pace by lofty through balls, we found ourselves unable to defend and score. Our defenders were leaving unbelievable spaces and strikers were not shooting when pressed button to shoot. And even when they shoot, they either missed or caught cross bar. So finally game forced us to play all 10 matches in this division, with out better teams. 

Being in Online Divisions, it was not hard for us to calculate, SCRIPTING & HANDICAPPING exist in FIFA 15 Ultimate Team Mode, which forces you to complete division with all matches played, when online, and ridiculously-unrealistically hard when single. 

Rest from the date of now, We shall keep posting BEST SCRIPTED MOMENTS OF THE WEEK, just against the release of GOALS OF THE WEEK by EA.

If you are still holding a contrary view, before you post any comment please look at the Videos we are posting as a sign of Evidence. And if you admit, please do not hesitate to like videos and subscribe to our youtube channel. Spread these moments by sharing it with everyone, most importantly EA's facebook and twitter accounts. So that we may see a solution and experience fairplay in the game. This will be our appeal to EA against HANDICAP/SCRIPTING.

1) Scripted Moments of the Week ... Round - 1 (Dated: 25.01.2015)

2) Scripted Moments of the Week ... Round - 2 (Dated 01.02.2015)

Author:
Sunil Sharma

PSN ID    : criticscrew

Platform    : PS3
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