Speaking with TGL, Fifa 2011′s producer Ian Jarvis revealed some of the new features, updates and the length that the team behind the game are going to make this Fifa the best yet. These features include LAN play, VOIP and more. Check out the details below:

All of the code has been re-written, not one line of code remains from Fifa 2010 – all coding is new. This fresh approach means that there had to be a 100% attention to all details. One crucial part of the code that needed attention admits Jarvis, was the “chipping glitch”:

“Yeah we dropped the ball on that one. People started to use that to their benifit both online and in single player so that needed some work.”

Extra features that have been added and improved in the title (like the console versions) have been the 360 dribbling control, jossling, chesting the ball and more. The chesting feature works great as (if you can control it) you can open up play and potentially lead an out-of-control ball into play.

Although the PC version can use the keyboard, it is aimed at control pad users admits Jarvis:

“Yeah, the control ad works well with it, both functions are there but you could say its’s geared towards the control pad users.” adding to Jarvis revealed that the PC title will support over 30+ gamepads, “The PC version will support up to 35 different control pads. You plug them in and the game will recognise them. From there you can completely change the button layouts.”

In addition to the above, there will be an extra 20% more stadiums than in the previous Fifa title. This giving for a more varied and fresh look to those long and frequent games. Of course, the version we played was an estimated 75% complete, there were bugs in it but the front-end menus have all been redesigned and they look and feel smooth. Scrolling through menus is instantaneuous and clean. Nice change I muttered.

A key element to the game that Jarvis announced was the addition of LAN play. If, like me, you remember the old days of Quake, C&C or any good LAN games, the LAN addition to a title was essential and it extended the game by months: if not years. This news caught me off guard completely and it’s something Jarvis and the team are no doubt proud about. Including this says two things to me: one, Jarivs and the team understand the importance of it, and two, they have listened to the fans. By using LAN play you don’t have to connect to EA servers which means the game can run entirely offline between friends and so on.

The game will also support VOIP, which will be a strong and often crucial element to most users: especially when playing online or with friends. Other cool features will be the video upload, screenshot upload and a little something about “accomplishments”.

The game will look and feel very similar to the console based sister version but to those with a sharp eye for detail you’ll notice how crystal clear the PC looks. Chalk it up to the PC itself boosting the sharp imagery onto the screen but it does seem like Jarvis and the team have pushed the graphics to the limit here: they look sublime.

One thing that struck me was how quick, responsive and smooth the whole engagement with the PC version was. The menus slide and vanish quickly with no coagulated or intrusive delays. While we played, I flicked through the menu system both with the keyboard and with the xbox 360 control pad and both glided along the menus. Along side this, the loading times seem to be slightly more slip streamed compared to Fifa 2010, not that they were bad but you can almost feel the effort this team has put into the title.

The creation mode runs as smooth as the menu system and adding hair, hats and other accessories doesn’t mean a “preview” where it takes 10 maybe 13 seconds to load a hair-cut that you probably won’t even use. It means everything is super-slick, instant and reactive. While creating my character, I tried to rotate him by dragging the mouse around his waist. Jarvis, sitting next to me asks “Can I ask, what are you doing?”, I then replied “Well it’s nothing really, I just thought I could rotate my character but it’s fine”. Suddenly Jarvis looks at me and said “Ok, i’m glad for times like this with journalists and fans because I get to see these things – we’ll try fit it into the finished game”. So you can thank me for that!

The game plays similar to the console version and for that it’s not a bad thing at all. It just means that PC fans will get the football game they have always wanted but it is obvious what Jarvis and team have accomplished. Here’s the factsheet directly from EA:

The EA SPORTS football engine that drives the award-winning FIFA franchise on Xbox 360 and PS3 has arrived on PC, delivering next generation console-quality gameplay, game modes and graphics. The physics-based, data-driven technology delivers true freedom on the pitch with individuality of player control and movement, sophisticated ball touches, and physical interaction between players. It is the most complete simulation of football on PC.

The market-leading true 360° Dribbling system gives players precise control of the ball and next generation animation technology delivers Skilled Dribbling, enabling skilled players to face defenders and use highly responsive lateral dribbling to skip past them. Plus, Physical Play has been improved using collision sharing, creating a varied, less predictable, and extended fight for possession between players.

Live out the fantasy of playing as a professional footballer in Virtual Pro.  Put yourself in the game using Photo Game Face and then embark on a career with 230 accomplishments to master across all games modes. Begin in the Practice Arena where players can perfect their skills before stepping onto the pitch. Utilize Customisable Set Pieces to create your very own free kicks and corners from up to 32 different dead ball situations for use on match day. Record and test plays before taking them onto the pitch.

FIFA 11 delivers stunning player renders for every player, 62 different stadiums and front end menus with mouse and keyboard support for fast and easy navigation. New features and innovations will be revealed in the coming months.

Key Features

  • Next Gen Football Engine: The physics-based, data-driven technology behind the EA SPORTS football engine has been optimized for PC. Experience true freedom on the pitch with individuality of player control and movement, sophisticated ball touches, and physical interaction between players.
  • Next Gen Gameplay: The high quality gameplay, innovative game modes and stunning graphics that have made FIFA the highest rated sports game on the PS3 and Xbox 360 and winner of over 50 sports game of the year awards arrives on PC.
  • Virtual Pro: Live out the fantasy of being a real life footballer by creating yourself in game with a 3D head using Game Face. Play as yourself across any mode. Grow your player attributes through 230 accomplishments and take your Virtual Pro online to become a global superstar.
  • Customizable Set Pieces – Design and record your very own free kicks and corners for use on match day. Assign a specific run or movement to every outfield player on your team one at a time, and then combine them for the perfect set piece. Record, test and perfect them in the Practice Arena, then trigger in game.
  • Practice Arena—Work on individual and team skills in a fully featured practice mode before stepping on the pitch. Select the number of attackers and defenders you want in play (eg 11v11, 5v5, or even 5v3), and practice in open play or from set pieces.
  • 360° Dribbling—The market-leading true 360° dribbling system improves dribbling control from 8 directional to full 360° control. Players can now find spaces between defenders that previously were not possible.
  • Skilled Dribbling—Next gen animation warping technology provides unprecedented control. Skilled players now have the ability to face a defender and use highly-responsive lateral dribbling to skip past him.
  • Physical Play— New next gen collision sharing technology creates a varied, less predictable, and extended fight for possession between the dribbler and a defender.
  • Player Urgency—Improved urgency AI logic, with over 50 next gen movement cycles, delivers more intelligent positioning and awareness so your players stay focused on the ball and move at a speed appropriate to the action.
  • Advanced Attacking —Players analyze space more effectively, curve runs to create passing lanes and vary attacking options.
  • Improved Defending Options — Defenders multi-task and play more intelligently by covering dangerous spaces left by out-of-position teammates. Better effort clearance logic, such as sliding to block crosses and overhead kick clearances, give defenders more tools to prevent goal-scoring opportunities.
  • Goalkeeper Intelligence —Goalkeepers now have more urgency and better perception of where to intercept loose balls, resulting in a more responsive and powerful rushing system. New animation warping technology provides game-realistic goalkeeper positioning and momentum, resulting in more varied scoring opportunities.
  • LAN Play — Host LAN parties and play friends online without being connected to EA servers.
  • PC Tools — Innovations to improve the experience, including VOIP support and lobbies for match-making by skill and geographical location.
  • Football World Integration—Go to easportsfootball.com to create your Game Face, search out rivals on global PC Leaderboards and create a PC-specific Friends Lists.
  • Stunning Next Gen Graphics—High quality renders that bring every player on the pitch to life, plus 62 different stadiums.
  • Complete Authenticity —Over 30 officially licensed leagues, 500 licensed teams and more than 15,000 players.