Wii U GamePad Functionality Revealed for FIFA 13

As we near the launch of Nintendo’s next home console, one of the most important questions we need to ask ourselves is: why would we want one of these things? The answer, for most game-makers, should be that wacky tablet controller that features a built-in touch screen. As of now, it’s not totally clear how the touch screen will be incorporated into most games, but a post on ONM from yesterday delves into the details divulged by EA Sports regarding their upcoming FIFA 13 title.

According to the post, the game will supposedly enhance the ways players can interact with the tiny little people playing soccer on the screen. Instead of cycling through players by hitting a button, apparently you can just tap the player you want on the touch screen in order to take control. Tapping on opposing players will prompt your defender to tackle, too. The same trick can be used for passing—possibly allowing players to pass to others who may not be visible on the television screen, but might be on a map displayed on the touch screen. Not bad…

The post says that shooting will also be made more precise with the new controller. Shaking the GamePad, or clicking the left-stick (L3) will bring up an image of the goal, and you can tap the area of the net where you’d like to place your shot. I imagine that defending players will have the chance to try and stop shots in the same way, though the post doesn’t mention whether or not that’s the case. Free kicks use the GamePad in a different way: players will hold the controller up in front of the screen, allowing them to “see” the scene from the perspective of the kicker, once again improving accuracy and immersion.

I really only ever watch soccer during World Cup season—mostly because I’m an uncultured American swine—so I’m not generally interested in the newest FIFA offerings. But I’m extremely curious about getting my hands on the GamePad device and seeing the different ways that developers incorporate new ways to play. I’m hopeful that different elements take root and enhance games for the Wii U. We all remember how much developers took to motion control for the Wii (what I mean to say is that they, you know, didn’t take to it at all, and either tacked on perfunctory motion controls or just screwed them up entirely).

Via ONM