Audio Director Jeff MacPherson answers the call to the many who have been asking about new commentary in FIFA 10.  Here’s his first blog going in-depth with what fans can expect in this year’s game.

We know that in the past we’ve neglected to give Manager Mode the commentary depth it deserves. Quite frankly, we have been focused on the challenges of just getting a 90 minute match right! So, this year, for FIFA 10, we listened to the feedback and decided to devote a large portion of our commentary development time to supporting Manager Mode and Virtual Pro progression.

We designed over 150 new commentary “contexts” devoted to these modes with anywhere from two to twenty different phrases for each. There are lots of new types of team, player and manager banter talking about milestones, performance, stats and more. We’ve focused on intro and fulltime analysis that is relevant to where the player is in seasons and tournaments. When a player is in possession of the ball there are comments about his performance over the course of the match and over the course of the season. Different actions (i.e. tackles, misses, goals, etc.) are qualified using player traits and season/career statistics. There is feedback and hinting regarding the transfer window. There is feedback regarding manager job security and team budgets. Along with ensuring that there is enough coverage (breadth), we also aimed for depth - there are comments that you will not hear until well into a Manager Mode or Virtual pro career/progression.

Here are just a few examples of the types of commentary you can expect to hear as you progress through Manager Mode or use your Virtual Pro in FIFA10:
- Midfield banter about your teams league standing, where you are in the league, how you’ve been playing and how your team stacks up against your opponent
- Transfer window information like the window is opening; your team has made a transfer; the window is closing soon/closed; your team has the budget and should make a transfer before it is too late; etc.
- References to a player who has rarely been booked this season getting a red/yellow card
- All new fulltime analysis as it relates to cup and tournament progression; including reference to specific cups by name; multi-leg matches with aggregate scoring; etc.
- More intro and fulltime comments relating to season progression, where you stand in the table; if it looks like you’re going to win the league or, indeed, if you’ve already won the league; early season indicators based on performance; etc.
- Commentary is aware of and speaks about multi-game winning and losing streaks
- Virtual Pro goal milestones including number of goals for your club this season and number of consecutive matches scoring
- Comments based on stats as it relates to current action: i.e. if a player has scored many free kicks for your team this season this will be mentioned when he steps up to take a free kick; if you’re Virtual Pro has scored hat-tricks before for this club then it will be mentioned as he’s seeking out his third goal in a match; a strikers season performance is assessed for goals and misses (a high performing striker may get a hard time for missing while a low performing striker will cause surprise if he manages to score); passing percentage is taken into account as a player gives the ball up again or makes another successful pass; similarly, tackle percentage is taken into account when a player makes a successful tackle (or does not!)
- Transfer information: a noteworthy new transfer will be mentioned in the intro; when the new player has the ball we may hear about how he is old or young, or how expensive he was to the club and how the commentators may feel he’ll gel with the new club
- Player traits and play style are taken into account: i.e. players who are known for long-range shots will get more anticipation further away from goal and the commentators will be more lenient if he misses a long shot as he’s known to score from distance; mentions players with determination bringing up a team’s morale by still giving his all when they are down; players who score often from finesse shots are praised; a “playmaker” can be expected to play the ball to his teammates; players who tend to play out wide are referenced in that position; etc.
- Saves and misses preventing major milestones are mentioned and the rivalry between a player and the keeper in these situations is played up
- Player form is discussed
- More focus on the team captain: the team may have a new captain; the form of the current captain and how it affects the team; goals scored by the captain; etc.
- Many new introductions to season matches including: Virtual Pro debut; new transfers; players returning from injury/suspension; previous result against this opponent; winning and losing streaks; league table standings; how the team stacks up against their opponents; if a team is facing relegation or promotion; etc.

We sincerely hope you enjoy the new additions and we look forward to hearing your feedback. We are already planning a whole lot more for FIFA 11!