FIFA 13 on Wii U will lack some key features

"We've got version one. They've got version two."

FIFA 13 on the Wii U will be without some of the key features found in its PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC counterparts, producer Matt Prior has told Eurogamer.

The version of the game designed for Nintendo’s upcoming console will not feature the game’s First Touch control and Complete Dribbling mechanics. Other enhancements made to the Player Impact Engine, precision dribbling, and tactical defending have also not made the leap to the Wii U.

In the interview Prior states that “Some of the later improvements on 13 we weren’t able to get into the game. So we’ve got version one. They’ve got version two.”

The reason for these limitations is largely a lack of time. The team were given 14 months to work on the game, and the majority of that time was spent ensuring the game ran properly on the Wii U’s engine. The rest of the time was spent crafting bespoke features that utilise the GamePad. These include a Lift and Look feature for surveying your surroundings, and touch screen controls that allow you to shoot, pass, and tackle using your second screen.

The Wii U version of the game has been made by a team working alongside the FIFA 13 team at EA’s Vancouver studio, but new ideas took longer to incorporate on Nintendo’s shiny new hardware. “We get it working and they change it,” says Prior. “Alongside all the challenges we already have, it’s not technically feasible.”

The Ultimate Team feature, which sees gamers swapping players around to build the best team possible, will also not appear on the Wii U. “We don’t have Ultimate Team, purely and simply because Nintendo’s online is in its infancy,” says Prior. “It’s building. FUT took five years to appear on 360 and PS3. They’re very complex features.”

Prior expects easier developments in future. “Looking forward we could probably get parity now. But year one is always the most difficult because you’re laying the foundation.”

FIFA 13 was launched for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on September 25th, and went on to sell over 4.5 million copies in its first five days, according to EA.

The Wii U version of FIFA 13 will be a launch title for the console.

Staff article by David Owen (October 22, 2012) David Owen is a freelance writer who also contributes to VG247, Eurogamer, IGN, and others. He likes Gitaroo Man more than is healthy.