The best examples of soccer game development today

A global sport, the beautiful game of soccer is enjoyed all around the world. Even in the virtual environment, franchises like FIFA have enabled this popular pastime to reach new audiences. Even if you aren’t partial to the odd Premier League match, soccer games are still fantastic products to explore. There certainly isn’t a shortage of well-made titles to get through, either.

Given the popularity of soccer, video games have always had to compete with other forms of soccer-related entertainment. People watch preview shows before the weekend’s action, there are enticing offerings like Premier League fantasy football, and many fans indulge in some sports betting throughout a typical season. Soccer games have been able to compete with these in-demand offerings, though. In fact, the sheer number of soccer games on a wide variety of devices is impressive and highlights the appetite for games of this type.

Key elements developers keep in mind

While there are hundreds of soccer games out there, not every installment necessarily hits the mark with consumers. There are numerous examples of failed releases, with many developers failing to master some key elements that the very best soccer games tend to nail.

For example, establishing realistic player movements is essential. Players need to be fluid in their movements, while animations should be responsive and gamers should feel entirely in control of the soccer player in question. Additionally, ball physics is another key component. The ball must replicate real-life physics, particularly when there are deflections, bounces, and curling, long-range efforts to consider.

The controls also need to be intuitive and responsive, while the skill-based element of any soccer release also needs to be evident, with players being able to time the perfect tackle and pull off any tricks. There are a range of other elements developers need to keep in mind, such as opponent AI and achieving an accurate character design for each soccer player, but the aforementioned factors are great places to start if you’re considering designing a soccer game yourself.

Some other things to look at include game modes, commentary, weather, music, customization features, in-game currency, mod support, updates, online tournaments, difficulty adjustments, and player progression.

EA Sports FC is thriving on a variety of platforms

With the aforementioned FIFA series coming to an end, FIFA 23 was the last installment of the game. A solid replacement, EA Sports FC is aiming to replicate the success of the FIFA franchise after becoming the go-to soccer title for so many lovers of the sport these days. Be it on mobile or the PlayStation 5, this impressively accurate soccer simulation is filled with fun options for fans to experience, all while providing an authentic soccer package thanks to the title’s crisp graphics, accurate player design features, and so much more. Ultimate Team is still popular, Career Mode is another preference for many EA Sports FC players, the opportunity to fine-tune their skills in Practice Arena is another great inclusion, and there are other modes like Clubs, Volta, Training Centre, Online Friendlies, and more. Essentially, it feels like EA Sports FC is aiming to take up the baton for the FIFA franchise and continue its success under a new name. So far, so good.

Football Manager 2024 is a management masterpiece

Similar in many respects to examples like Premier League fantasy football, not every soccer-themed game provides a realistic simulated package. Given the ruthless nature of soccer management, many fans of the sport also want to take the managerial hot seat and channel their inner Pep Guardiola by managing a club they adore or a team they’d love to get to the Champions League knockout stages. Football Manager 2024 is the perfect example of a management game that contains everything an aspiring coach requires. While it probably isn’t for people who aren’t interested in the sport away from the virtual sphere, it’s a must-play release for those who are passionate about soccer.

With a new Football Manager 2025 product expected to be released later in the year, fans can expect another truly realistic management masterpiece that has it all. Players conduct press conferences; they talk to agents, there are players to scout for, teams to select, different tactics to employ, training sessions to handle, player contracts to renew, fans to keep happy, boards to please, and so much more. Overall, as far as soccer management games go, Football Manager 2024 is miles ahead of the competition.

There is even an appetite for VR soccer games

While virtual reality games might be tricky for independent developers to nail, there is certainly an appetite for them in the modern world. Thanks to VR technology, soccer fanatics and aspiring professionals can now experience the action on the pitch from the comfort of their own homes. Some titles in this area serve up the same type of fun as hit titles like EA Sports FC, while others improve a player’s skills thanks to a variety of training exercises. In terms of offering an immersive experience, nothing else out there comes close to games in this genre.

A classic example of a VR soccer game is Be Your Best, a product even the professionals turn to. A title that promises to improve various aspects of a player’s game, such as their ability to be comfortable in possession, Be Your Best also focuses on scanning. Scanning is a key part of a modern player’s ability, with players having to scan during games in order to make the correct decisions, be it around passing at the right time or when to take up certain positions.

Final Soccer VR is an alternative virtual reality product that has done reasonably well, as players take on the role of a goalkeeper having to save shots. Gorilla Soccer is another option, although it’s a more fun inclusion, with players taking on gorillas in entertaining matches with oversized balls.

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