FIFA 14 News: Ultimate Team Mode to Include RPG Elements

FIFA 13's Ultimate Team mode has proven to be one of, if not the most popular mode in the game. In fact, it's been such a success with users that EA Sports is expanding the mode further in FIFA 14, adding elements of RPGs and revamping the structure to make it easier for players to use.

While the current version of FIFA's Ultimate Team mode offers players the chance to tweak teams using the cards that represent the players, FIFA 14's version of the mode will make the experience much more detailed. Gamespot is reporting that, while the current mode offers various factors that can boost or negate the stats of a player of team, FIFA 14 will bring these factors to the forefront. Chemistry styles will change how well a player is able to play, based on their so-called "character classes." Different players will get classes such as Sniper or Anchor, and these different styles of plays will boost the other player's abilities, or bring down their stats, depending on how well each player mixes in with the team structure.

In addition, each play style attributed to the players come with two attributes, which can be swapped out for others attributes. This adds further customization of the team, meaning that player's can tweak each player to boost the team's stats and potentially gain the edge over the opposing team. By changing up a player's attributes, you can counter the opponent's advantages and gain the edge over the other team. Any attribute can be applied to any player (except the goalie), and added with a player's natural ability can be a devastating combo and tip the game in the player's favor.

The producer of the mode, Macel Kuhn, described the new features of Ultimate Team as being inspired by the roster of RPG's within EA and their studios:

"It's almost a skill tree lite...It's not as deep as an RPG game, obviously, but it's a lite skill tree, and we want to see how people receive it. And we will build on it if people like it...We asked other developers within EA for their feedback - so the Mass Effects and other games that use similar systems. But we're all gamers ourselves, and we all play those games, so that's where draw our inspiration from."

It will be interesting to see how fans of the game take to these changes, and if the RPG-like Ultimate Team mode in FIFA 14 takes off when the game is released on current and next-gen consoles.