FIFA 13 isn't the Same Game on Wii U
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"So we've got version one. They've got version two," says Producer.
FIFA 13 on Wii U lacks some of the key features that FIFA 13 enjoys on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.
Matt Prior, producer of the Wii U version, has stated in an interview with Eurogamer that the version of the game coming to Nintendo's new console will lack both the game's new First Touch control and Complete Dribbling mechanics. He also revealed that other enhancements made to the Player Impact Engine, precision dribbling and tactical defending in this year's game haven't made it into the Wii U version either.
"Some of the later improvements on 13 we weren't able to get into the game," said Prior. "So we've got version one. They've got version two."
So what's the reason behind the disparity? Ultimately it came down to time constraints. The team only had 14 months to work on the game, and most of that time (around 80%) was spent just getting the game running properly on the Wii U's engine. The remaining time was used in creating unique features for the game utilising the GamePad. (You can read about these changes in IGN's Preview of FIFA 13 on Wii U.)
Even though the Wii U version has been made by a team working closely alongside the FIFA 13 team at EA's Vancouver studio, it isn't as simple as incorporating the changes being made by that team. "We get it working and they change it," said Prior. "Alongside all the challenges we already have. it's not technically feasible."
There's another notable omission, too, in the shape of Ultimate Team. If you don't play FIFA, the mode sees you swap players as if they were trading cards in a bid to create the best team possible. "We don't have Ultimate Team, purely and simply because Nintendo's online is in its infancy," said Prior. "It's building. FUT took five years to appear on 360 and PS3. They're very complex features."
But don't fear, this isn't a long-standing problem or something to do with the hardware itself, according to Prior. It's more like a teething problem. "Looking forward we could probably get parity now. But year one is always the most difficult because you're laying the foundation."
The Wii U version of FIFA 13 will come out on November 30th in the UK as a launch title for the Wii U.