Unofficial FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
FIFA Soccer 96 by Electronic Arts
Release 2.21
Written by Guy Saner
-Email fifa96@iscon.demon.co.uk
-Web Page (http://www.iscon.demon.co.uk)
Email me with any contributions, queries or problems.
Contributors
-------------
Ow Khiam Wei (eng50092@leonis.nus.sg)
Thomas Yang (tgy119@mail.usask.ca)
Coen van Duiven (c.p.van.duiven@pi.net)
Stan Olson (solso@msilink.com)
Thomas Niggl (thomsi@tcp.co.uk)
Mark Todd (pak06539@pixie.co.za)
R. Tsang (wtsang@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca)
Paul Gregory (pgregory@uic.edu)
Phil Armstrong (phila@stretch.win-uk.net)
Chris R. (cmdjj@berkshire.net)
Dao Q. Nguyen (dqnguyen@koptsv01.delcoelect.com)
Ted Siraki (arno.siraki@utoronto.ca)
Erick Ardila T. (erardila@usc.unal.edu.co)
Kim Hansen (santas@post1.tele.dk)
Stef (menardai@lola.univ-lemans.fr)
Paul Cowan (cowan.13@postbox.acs.ohio-state.edu)
Alex (alexssby@elang.idola.net.id)
Ola Nymo Trulsen (ontrulsen@mail.link.no)
---------
CONTENTS
---------
[1.0] About FIFA 97
[1.1] Features
[1.2] Game Requirements
[1.3] Command Line Parameters
[1.4] Hotkeys
[1.5] File Information
[3.1] Cheats - Special Teams
[3.2] Cheats - Enhanced Play Modes
[3.3] Things to Try
[3.4] Stats - International Teams
[3.5] Stats - National Teams
[3.6] Stats - Game Records
[4.1] Problems
[4.2] Recommendations for FIFA 97
[4.3] Minor Glitches
[4.4] Unanswered Questions
[5.1] Controls - Offence
[5.2] Controls - Defence
[5.3] Controls - Ball in the Air
[5.4] Controls - Out of Play
[5.5] Controls - Passback Mode
[5.6] Controls - Suncom SFX
[5.7] Controller Tips
[6.1] Fifa 96 Internet References - General
[6.2] Fifa 96 Internet References - Leagues
[7.0] Revision History
-------------------
[1.0] About FIFA 97
-------------------
It's out now to buy.
Around 30 pounds or 45 dollars.
Check out the EA Sports FIFA 97 Page at:
http://www.easports.com/fifa97/
--------------
[1.1] Features
--------------
Virtual Stadium technology.
15,000+ Words of commentary by John Motson.
3500+ Real players.
12 International leagues.
17 Player skill areas.
League, Tournament, Playoff, Friendly and Practice modes.
Hi-res SVGA mode.
Custom team option.
15 minutes of full motion video.
Multi-player option with up to 4 players via modem.
7 different camera views during play.
Unlimited views during replay.
2 to 45 minutes per half.
-----------------------
[1.2] Game Requirements
-----------------------
Minimum (VGA mode):
486DX2-50
8MB RAM
DOS 5.0
MSCDEX 2.21 or greater
Single Speed CD
512K SVGA Video Card (VESA Compatible)
Recommended (SVGA mode):
Pentium
16MB RAM (more memory means faster gameplay and more varied commentary)
Gravis Gamepad, Gravis Grip or Suncom SFX
SB AWE32 or Gravis Ultrasound
2MB PCI Graphics card
Quad Speed CD
Supported Sound Cards:
Sound Blaster
Sound Blaster Pro
Sound Blaster 16
Gravis Ultrasound
Windows Sound System
Supported Languages:
English (Commentary)
Deutsch
Francais
Espanol
Svenska
Italiano
-----------------------------
[1.3] Command Line Parameters
-----------------------------
-? List parameters
-f Skip Front End
-v Skip opening video
-x Specify maximum amount of extend memory to use (ie -n8000)
-d Specify maximum amount of DOS memory to use (ie -d500)
-s Set Synchronization Rate (15-30)
-p Specify path to save user datafiles
-m Specify memory blocks used (default 250)
-c Specify file for ball position comparison (for modem debug)
-b Specify file for ball position data output (for modem debug)
-yv Specify size of video buffer for Front End
-ya Specify size of audio buffer for Front End
-yq Specify size of que buffer for Front End
-zv Specify size of video buffer for GAME
-za Specify size of audio buffer for GAME
-zq Specify size of que buffer for GAME
*PLAYING A SERIAL GAME WITH ONE CD
Setup a batch file or win95 shortcut to run fifa with the following arguments:
"fifa96 -v -yv -ya -yq -zv -za -zq"
This disables all sound and video from the game and allows you to run the game
with the CD then once in, remove the CD without it crashing (with file read
error) every time you score. The other player can run the game as normal, but
we use the same settings to avoid delays when the video plays on the other
machine.
*DISABLING THE VIDEOS
Setup a batch file or Win95 shortcut to run Fifa with the following arguments:
- Reduce Screen
= Enlarge Screen
0 Full Screen
h Resolution toggle
c Clock toggle
n Player Name/Number/Off
----------------------
[1.5] File Information
----------------------
In the /FEDATA subdirectory the following files are created:
OPTIONS.DAT Stores the games options, if deleted will reset options to
defaults.
HISCORES.DAT Records all the score tables for competitive practices.
CTEAM00.DAT Stores the custom team information. This is for the first
custom team, the second is called CTEAM01.DAT, etc.
SGAME00.DAT Stores the saved games, the size of this file depends on the
type of game saved.
In the /SOUND subdirectory the following files are created:
PLR_TC00.VIV This stores the commentary for the player's names. One is
created for each custom team.
----------------
[2.1] Team Setup
----------------
Formation: Sweeper is by far the best defensive formation.
4-3-3 gives a good balance of Defence and Offence.
4-4-2 is very good if the opposition have few defenders and you
are skilled at passing and moving round players.
Strategy: "All Out Offence" means that the forwards are always pushing
towards the goal and have a better chance of
scoring, the defence is not too good though.
"Long Ball" this is very good for quick runs from a long lob up
the field. Careful not to be Offside though.
-----------------------
[2.2] Tactics - General
-----------------------
RATING SYSTEM-
This gives each tactic a rating which takes into account: usefulness, style
and how difficult it is to pull off.
***** Excellent, can't live without it.
**** Good.
*** Average.
** Used about once a game.
* Hardly ever used.
DIAGRAMS-
Below is an example of a diagram of one end of a football pitch. It is used
to help explain the more complicated tactics. Only essential players are
shown.
|=========|
| Goal |
+-------------------------------------------+
| | | Goal Area | | | KEY
|S | +-----------+ | | -------------------------
|i | Penalty Area | | g,d,m,f Opponents
|d +-------------------+ | G,D,M,F Your Players
|e | B The Ball
| | S Shoot here
|L | P Pass here
|i |
|n | --Lines are used to show
|e | the path of a player.
| Halfway Line | ..Dotted lines show the path
|-------------------------------------------| of the ball.
1. SPRINTING *****
Instead of holding down shoot, lob or pass to run and then perform the action.
Use the fourth button, Blue on Gamepad or B on SFX. This will then enable you
to run faster. Do not use it all the time, but just as a tactic to get past
the opposition.
2. PASS SHOOTING *****
No this isn't a contradiction. The pass button is very versatile and can be
used for shooting as well as passing. If you just hold the pass button down
for a short time then the ball will be passed to the nearest player, unless
you aim for another player, but if you hold it down for slightly longer than
usual then the ball will be kicked in a straight line. This can therefore be
used to kick the ball at the goal. It works best if you aim for the sides of
the goal. For a virtually guaranteed goal, when one-on-one with the goalie,
aim for one of the posts and then curl it with aftertouch towards the goal.
This method of shooting has a much higher success rate than normal shooting
and looks more stylish, but it does take a lot of practice to perfect.
3. BACK-HEEL ***
Aim a Pass in the opposite direction to that which you are facing. The ball
will be back-heeled to the player, instead of a normal pass. The ball has
less power than a normal pass, so it can't be used over long distances.
4. AFTERTOUCH **
The manual says that to apply aftertouch to a shot or lob you press left or
right on the direction pad. I have found this to be incorrect. It is infact
left or right in relation to your direction in the game. For example most
people use TeleCam view to play and so aftertouch will be up or down on the
direction pad.
5. INJURED PLAYERS **
To check to see if a player is injured during a game so that they can be
substituted. Go to the Substitution Menu by pressing "5" and you will notice
a column on the right-hand side of the players names. This normally contains
the players Red or Yellow cards, but it will also show a red cross with a white
background if a player is injured. This includes players on and off the pitch.
|=========|
| |
+------------------g------------------------+
| | | B | | |
| | . ---------+ | |
| | . | | |
| +- . ---- | --------+ |
| . | |
| d . d | d d |
| . | |
| . | |
| S | |
| | F |
| M |
|-------------------------------------------|
Have a midfielder or defender to push the ball up after the center line,
move to the left or right out of the centre circle and do a long lob forward
curling it towards the goal. In the mean time, push a fast striker up front
(sprint mode). Most of the time, the keeper can only parry the ball upwards
(occasionally into his own goal). Then let the striker pounce on the ball and
have an easy goal. Or the ball will go straight in.
Make a forward or midfielder run with the ball down the wing nearest you.
Make sure that he is close to the sideline. Then when you just see the
penalty spot, turn diagonally towards the goal and do a long lob. Curl the
ball towards the goal with aftertouch. Once perfected it nearly always curls
round the goalie and goes in, or bounces off him and one of your forwards puts
it in. You can do it from the far side of the pitch, but it is very difficult
to judge the angle and distance.
3. CROSSING ****
This is not mentioned in the manual. So incase you haven't done this yet. If
you want to cross the ball towards the goal, run down the wing then turn
towards the goal and press lob. The ball will land infront of the goal and
one of your attackers should be there to header it in. Or (so long as you
don't lob it too near the line) you can use aftertouch to curl the ball into
the goal. Hold down the lob button before you get to the corner to run.
4. 180 SPIN ***
When your forward is running towards the Goal and you only have one man to
beat, just before you reach him, turn round to face the other way. Then the
Defender will try to tackle you from behind, once he is quite close do a
180 Spin, by pressing Lob and Shoot together. Your player will spin round
and take it past the him.
5. PLAYER LOB (Thomas Yang) ****
Get the ball to a forward in front of the opposing teams goalie, make him run
straight for the goal, when a defender comes head on to you wait till he's
about two man's length away from you, then tap the Lob button and continue to
run in the direction of the ball, and computer player will run back and try to
head the ball but he'll miss, leaving you with a open lane and one on one with
the goalie.
6. BACK TO GOALIE **
If you pass the ball back to the Goalie from one of your defenders he will
then kick the ball far up the field. The ball should land just behind the
defenders, who have moved up to the halfway line, and then you can take it
one-on-one with the Opponent's Goalie. (see Pass Shooting, under General
Tactics)
7. SHALLOW-LOB CROSS (Paul Gregory) ***
Instead of using a lob from the side of the box, try using a shallow lob.
Get fairly close to the sideline, and when you are in the area even with
about the midpoint between the penalty spot and the goalie's box (the small
box) hit the Lob and Pass buttons simultaneously. There should be a
player in the centre even with you. Hit Pass immediately and you will
get control of this player, while pushing him towards the box hit Shoot,
with practice you will have him heading it in pretty consistently. This is
more difficult than the standard centering lob, but it is quicker, more
impressive to your opponent, and more rewarding.
8. BASIC GIVE-AND-GO (Paul Gregory) ***
Lets say you are in 4-3-3 (this will work in any formation of course with any
two players), say your center midfielder has the ball at midfield. Dribble
straight up field with him except, instead of going right up the centre,
dribble a few yards left or right. When you are on the 45 degree angle with
your centre forward, pass to him and quickly hit Lob for passback mode (you
must hit it immediately). Keep running the centre midfielder on the off
centre line you have been. When the centre midfielder (now without the
ball, but still under your control) gets clear in the box hit red again, the
centre forward will pass it back to the guy you control. If successful you
should now be clear or pretty clear for a shot. Again this takes practice and
timing is everything. But it is an impressive and rewarding play. Don't
wait too long to pass it back because the defenders may get it away from the
centre forward or he may decide to shoot on his own.
9. SHOT ALONG GOAL LINE (Phil Armstrong) **
If you find yourself along one of the wings and are close to the edge of the
pitch try a shot along the goal line (without aftertouch) as it often goes
past the goalie or another forward will run onto it and score.
10. PLAYER OVERHEAD CHIP (Phil Armstrong) **
This tactic is similar to the PLAYER LOB, but use Pass+Shoot to chip the ball
over your head and the defenders. This is harder to master than the PLAYER LOB
as timing is crucial and it is easy to miss picking the ball up again.
Another variation on this is to direct the overhead chip to another forward,
who can volley or head the ball, if lob or shoot are held down as he gets it.
Addition by Erick Ardila T.
Keep the Shoot button pressed while running, so when the player gets the ball
again, he can shoot without letting the ball touch the floor, it looks very
impressive.
11. KEEPER OVERHEAD CHIP (Phil Armstrong) *
This is a real cracker if you can do it, but is very difficult as you need to
have a clear run on the goal. The goalie needs to be off his line, the
defenders must not be on your heels and you must be the right distance from
the goal. Attack the goal at an angle and use Pass+Lob to chip the ball
over your head and the goalie's.
12. LONG RANGE SHOTS (Phil Armstrong) ***
At first I thought it was impossible the beat the keeper from a long range
shot, but with a powerful striker and some aftertouch you can score some
spectacular goals. It is still not a very reliable way to score, but looks
good. It seems to have a better chance of going in, if you only do it once or
twice after a couple of goals.
13. PASSING CROSS (Phil Armstrong) **
Rather than cross into the area pass to a player in the centre, they can then
shoot. If the box is crowded pass the ball, then run parallel to the goal line
away from the passing player until you have some space, then turn and shoot
into the opposite corner of the goal.
14. DIAGONAL LOBBED PASS (Erick Ardila T.) ***
As in the DIAGONAL LOB, you make a forward or a midfielder run with the ball
down the wing nearest you, when you are about in the middle of the opposing
teams side, turn diagonally towards the goal and do a long lob. Curl the ball
away from the goal with aftertouch, not towards the goal like DIAGONAL LOB.
Everytime you do this there will be one of your players near the penalty spot
waiting for the pass. The defender near your man will try to head the pass,
but he will miss and you will be left alone with the goalie. You must press
the Pass button to take control of your player near the penalty spot. Here you
can take two differents approaches, you can wait until your player takes the
ball and then shoot (but there is a chance that the other defender tackles
you) or you can keep the Shoot button press while the ball is still in the
air, this will make your player perform different shots depending of the form
the ball gets to him in, sometimes a shot without letting the ball touch the
floor, sometimes a diving header or sometimes an overhead kick.
15. DIAGONAL SHOTS ****
When approaching the goal and if you have a clear run, the probability of
shooting and it going in, is small if you are infront of the goal. The best
way to score is if you run straight towards the outside edge of the goal;
between the goal area and the penalty area. Then as the goalie begins to move
towards you, turn diagonally towards the far corner of the goal and shoot. A
large gap will have been created and the ball should sail straight in. This
can also serve as a general rule. It is always best to shoot towards the far
top-corner of the goal.
16. PASS ALONG GOAL LINE ***
Using 4-3-3, sprint your left/right forward until he is standing just before
the goal area and then pass the ball along the goal line to the center
forward. When the ball comes to the center forward, he only needs to shoot the
ball diagonally into the net and GOAL !!!. The goalkeeper will never catch the
ball, because the time between the pass and shot is very fast, so he can't
reach the ball.
17. GENERAL TACTICS FOR ATTACKING
# Only shoot at the goal when you see the Goalie starting to move towards you.
# If there are too many defenders around the goal and it becomes hard to
get a good shot in, then play the ball to a Defender or Midfielder at the
halfway-line. This will force the computer opposition to move it's players
back into formation and therefore creating more space for a quick run.
# If a defender gets the ball from you, just infront of the goal line then
take a Forward and do a sliding tackle heading for the goal. The ball should
just roll straight past the goalie.
# If the above is not possible because there isn't a Forward in the right
position. Then move a Forward behind the Defender and run away from the goal
with him pressing Shoot rapidly. If the Forward is much better than the
Defender then the control of the ball will pass to the Forward and a shot
will be made.
The most important tactic is the tackle. The key is the same as for switching
players, so defending sometimes consists mostly of wildly pushing the
yellow button (B on GRIPS, Button 1 on Mouse and joystick). Nevertheless,
timing and the chosen direction are very important. Try to get near the
attacking player. Sometimes it's a good idea to let one of your computer
defenders do this, while you position another player between them and
your goal (use the sprint-button (blue) to place him more quickly). Then,
if near the enemy striker, tackle. Try to tackle from a direction that
results in the ball being pushed towards another of your players. The
timing is crucial - too early has no effect (perhaps even changing to
another player, which costs time to switch back), and too late normally
lets pass the enemy striker unharmed, and you are behind him.
To prevent changing player, rather than tackling, try holding down the
button for slightly longer.
2. THE SLIDE (Thomas Niggl)
The slide is a very good emergency tool against a fast approaching enemy
striker. The best results are if your defender is running towards the
striker. About two yards away (don't know how much this is in pixels) push
the red button (A on GRIPS, 1&2 on Mouse and Joystick) to start the slide.
The more experienced you are the better the results. Beware of sliding from
behind, as it mostly leads to a bad foul.
3. THE PUSH (Thomas Niggl)
This is the least appropriate means of defending, as it often leads to a
yellow/red card and otherwise isn't a good chance to get the ball -
tackling is far better. But sometimes it's real fun to watch how the enemy
player is hit and thrown through the air.
4. TIPS (Thomas Niggl)
- Remember that some players tackle better than others - that's
another reason to change to another player before attacking a striker.
Look through your defenders stats, so you know who's best.
- Some enemy strikers, namely the better ones, often aren't affected
by one defensive approach, so prepare to attack them two or more times.
That means you have to ensure there are enough players to defend, by
either gathering them manually or choosing a more defensive tactic.
5. STRATEGIES (Thomas Niggl)
Even with All Out Offence you have a good chance of defending highly
effectively - and this strategy has the advantage of letting the enemy
strikers not reach your goal too early. In fact, you start defending
shortly behind the halfway line.
With other strategies, for example All Out Defence, it's very dangerous to
let the enemy strikers move the ball in front of your goal, because
sometimes they shoot pretty well from far away. So with this strategy, it
is getting the ball as quickly as possible and then lob/shoot it as far as
possible in the other half.
Don't pass around too much in your own half - it may result in accidental
enemy ball possession, which always is dangerous in your own half - even
more because your players were on their way into the enemy half.
6. DECREASING THE AREA
By decreasing the area that the players play in, we can make the defence
stronger than normal. For example, decreasing the defence area next to the
goal line, will make the defenders need to run across a smaller distance, so
they can defend better than when it is much larger.
Good tactic against [Attacking 16] - Pass along goal line.
1. EASY CORNER ****
When taking a corner move the direction spot to just next to the far post.
Then when the corner is taken one of your players will header it in. Works
50 percent of the time. Don't use aftertouch when the ball is in the air.
2. CURL IN CORNER (Thomas Niggl) ****
Place the target circle at the height of the penalty point, just before the
far post of the goal. Then shoot and quickly, after the ball gets in the
air, point the controller in the direction of the goal (aftertouch). The
exact timing when to hit the controller direction key is crucial. But after
some training sessions you should be able to score every third or fourth
time. Because you have to direct the aftertouch curve of the ball, you're not
able to move another player in front of the goal. But even without it, your
mid-forward sometimes heads the ball into the net.
3. DIRECTING CORNERS ***
The ball is more likely to go where you want if you hold down lob for longer
before you let go.
4. SHALLOW-LOB CORNER **
This is not very clear in the manual, but it is possible to Pass and Shallow
Lob on free kicks and corners: Hold down Pass (or Pass+Lob for Shallow Lob).
While still holding it press the D-pad in one of the 8 directions (the
targeting circle will not move, which is OK since its location is irrelevant
for this play), then release button(s).
With this you can also shoot on goal on free kicks: position a player near,
but not too near, the player taking the free kick (sometimes there is already
one) use the pass as described, to pass to him, and immediately shoot.
Something similar is possible with throw-ins too.
5. DEFENDING AGAINST CORNERS (Thomas Niggl) **
Try to move one or two players a your goal post near to the side the corner
ball will come from. But not on the goal line, since this is hinders your
goalie (which normally picks up a fair amount of all corners approaching
your goal directly).
If the ball is coming, you have to decide whether trying to catch the ball
(if it is a shallow lob corner) or starting a defensive header.
For a defensive header, choose on player near the goal post and push the
header button (red/A on GRIPS/1&2 on mouse/keyboard). You can even instruct
more than one player to try to clear the incoming ball with a header:
switch to a player, press header button, then switch to another and press
header button and so on.
1. TOP-RIGHT IS BEST ***
The most successful place to aim, when taking a penalty, is the top-right
corner. The goalie never seems to dive far enough to stop the ball. Don't
hold the direction for too long or it will go too high and hit the bar.
Choose one of your best strikers to take it.
2. COMPUTER GOALIE (Mark Todd) **
When taking one off shots for fouls etc. the computer Goalie seems to
battle to get to most shots to his left, the shooters right, but it's
important that after one or two attempts you change the shot because the
computer does "improve".
1. LONG LOB **
When you have a Free Kick from somewhere in your own half then the opposition
will all push up leaving a large gap between the defender and the goalie.
Then move one of your forwards to just outside the goal area and lob the
ball towards him. It probably won't quite reach him but will clear the
defenders. Once he has it he can then have a clear run on goal. I have done
this twice without an Offside being called.
2. SHALLOW-LOB FREE KICK *
See "Shallow-Lob Corner".
3. OFFSIDE FREE KICK (Phil Armstrong) **
If you have a been given a free kick from an offside, move your free kick
direction well into opposition territory. Use the Lob key held down for a
while to clear the defenders and get control of one of your forwards and chase
the ball. If successful you will be clear for a shot on goal.
4. SHORT LOB (Dao Q. Nguyen) **
If you have a Free kick somewhere in the opponent's half, move the direction
spot behind the "wall" and between two defenders on the far left and then
lob the ball. This is about 60% successful on scoring a goal.
----------------------------
[3.1] Cheats - Special Teams
----------------------------
To enable:
-Hit the "QUIT TO DOS" button in the game select screen.
-While the credit video is playing type "xplay [return]".
This will take you straight to the Friendly Game menu with a new set of
five extra teams, called the EA Superstars. Some of the players in these
teams have special abilities.
EA Superstars:
All Nighters
As Designed
Strontium 90
The Gimps
The Rod Benders
Special Abilities:
Ben Cho (Str90)- When lobbing the ball up field, don't hold down the
the direction you want the ball to go. He will then chip
the ball straight up and everyone will follow where the ball
should have gone. He can also stop a lob in mid air by
pressing back. Takes time to perfect.
Steve Rechtshaffner (RodBend)- Shoots at his own goal whenever you press lob,
pass or shoot.
Jason Rupert (Str90)- Press Shoot and Pass together when defending, and all
the opposition will fall over onto their backs for a
short period of time.
Darren Gyles (Str90)- Apart from the crowd always booing when he has the ball,
when you press Push (Shoot+Pass) in defence he will
shove the player far across the pitch through the air.
Ted Sylka (Str90)- If you Push a player when defending (Shoot+Pass), the
opponent will be thrown up into the air and then land much
later.
----------------------------------
[3.2] Cheats - Enhanced Play Modes
----------------------------------
To enable:
-Go to the Friendly Team select menu.
-For the team on the left choose Vancouver in the USA League.
-For the team on the right choose Canada in the International League.
-Now press CTRL-ALT-INSERT (as if you were rebooting the machine, but press
INSERT instead of DELETE).
This will bring up an Enhanced Play Modes menu with options to change various
game attributes. Once activated using this method, it can be brought up again
with F1.
Enhanced Play Modes:
BALL SIZE Normal-Big-Bigger-Biggest
BALL PERSONALITY Normal-Curve Ball-Crazy Ball
INVISIBLE WALLS Disabled-Enabled
TEAM A/B- SIZE Normal-Big Player-Big Team
JERSEY Normal-Beefcake-Suspenders-Muscle Shirt-Invisible Man
GOALIE Normal-Lame
PLAYERS Normal-Super Goalie-Super Defence-Super Offence-Super Team
SHOTS Normal-Super
-------------------
[3.3] Things to Try
-------------------
- When being booked you can run away from the Referee before he reaches you.
He will follow you all around the pitch.
- After winning a Tournament or Playoff, and the fireworks appear, by using
the backspace key you can control the fireworks.
- When you've got a throw in, select the goalie by taking the selecter over
him and press Alt/Yellow. Now, make him run forward. When he is in a
"throwable" distance from the player who takes the throw-in, throw the ball
to the goalie. It's now possible(with a little luck) to dribble your way
through the defence and score.
---------------------------------
[3.4] Stats - International Teams
---------------------------------
"+" denotes the very good teams and "-" the very bad ones.
For more of a challenge try starting a league with a very bad team.
USA
Shoot Run Pass Def Overall
Atlanta 3 2 3 4 3
Colorado 4 4 4 4 4
Montreal 4 4 4 4 4
New York 3 2 3 3 3-
Seattle 5 4 4 4 4+
Vancouver 4 3 4 4 4
--------------------------
[3.6] Stats - Game Records
--------------------------
Here are some records for playing against the Computer. The game length is for
the whole game, not just the half. And without Cheating!
Fastest Goal:
4 secs with Romario by Paul Cowan
4 secs with Amokachi by Javier Labourt
Greatest Goal Difference
4 Min cont. game:
9-0 Arsenal v Sampdoria by Alex
8-0 Everton v Crystal Palace by Me
8-0 Netherlands v Columbia by Alex
8 Min cont. game:
15-0 Brazil v Romania by Me
15-0 Arsenal v Ireland by Alex
12 Min cont. game:
29-0 Ireland v Luxembourg by Ara Arnn
20-0 Custom v Brunei by Me
20 Min cont. game:
30-0 Custom v Custom by Paul Cowan
Most Goals for One Player
4 Min cont. game:
7 goals Amokachi by Me
8 Min cont. game:
10 goals Barmby(Spurs) by Ola Nymo Trulsen
9 goals Romario(Brazil) by Me
9 goals Smith(Arsenal) by Alex
12 Min cont. game:
21 goals John Aldridge by Ara Arnn
15 goals Klinsman by Me
20 Min cont. game:
20 goals Bebeto by Paul Cowan
Best Score/Shots Percentage (Only counts for shots > 9)
12/14 Brazil v Bari by Me 85.7%
Best Percentage Possession
70% Custom Team v Brunei by Lew Woon Hoey
64% Brazil v Romania by Me
Fastest Hat-Trick: (time between first goal and third goal)
18 secs with Bebeto by Paul Cowan
28 secs with John Aldridge by Ara Arnn
37 secs with Paul Gascoigne by Alex
Quickest Time for all 10 players to score (difficult):
8:30 with Custom Team 4-4-2 by Lew Woon Hoey
11:24 with Custom Team 4-4-2 by Paul Cowan
--------------
[4.1] Problems
--------------
1. "Environment Variable Not Set" error message
This problem is caused by the sound card variables not being set. Check
that you have the lines:
set SOUND=C:\BLASTER
set BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 T4
or similar ones in the file autoexec.bat. Without either of these the
above error message will appear. This excludes running from Windows 95.
2. "File Read Error" error message
This problem occurs when the game cannot find a file. This is normally
caused by either:
The FIFA 96 CD not being in the drive.
or
The CD drive not being configured properly.
You will need to refer to the manual that came with the CD drive to solve
this problem.
3. Drops back to prompt on loading with 3-4 junk Extended-ASCII characters.
This happens when you don't have enough free memory. You will need to
create a boot disk (see manual) or remove things like EMM386, QEMM,
SMARTDRV, etc. from the configuration files.
---------------------------------
[4.2] Recommendations for FIFA 97
---------------------------------
"*" denotes a new addition
Appearance
+Whole game more TV-like
+Better Menus with more On-screen at once, smaller fonts.
+Player Movement more fluid and realistic
+Movable screen clock and score
+Player First Names and Pictures
+Better Resolution for Players Close-up
+Ability to have replays instead of videos after a goal
+Have simulated match time i.e. 0-45mins on a 2 min half
+Remove the animated, slide on and off menus, to make it faster.
+Show Team Logos, such as Ajax, MU, etc.
+Use high-definition 3D polygon-based players, that still look realistic
when close up. Will require a very efficient software graphics engine.
Game Options
+World Cup, European Cup, UEFA and Champions league Tournaments
+Custom Formation Option
+Custom Team Kit Editor
+Create your own League or Tournament (Using any teams).
+Better Custom Team Option
+Save Team Setup
+Allow User Teams to be included in Leagues or Tournaments
+Allow League/Tournaments games to be played out of sequence
+Pick Team from a larger Squad
+Allow the team members to be changed to reflect real life transfers
+Ability to trade players in a League.
+Control only one selected player (including the keeper) during the game.
+Show stats at end of game and view stats for any game played.
+Choose player to take penalties.
+Option to have more goal scoring opportunities in a 4 min game and less
in a 90 min game. So it is harder to score in longer games.
+Go to menu at half-time.
+Intelligent TV style replays.
+Random groups in Tournaments.
+Random teams in Playoffs.
+African and Turkish Leagues.
+More Asian Leagues.
Gameplay
+Improved Computer Difficulty with more variables.
+Improved Player AI for opposition and own team.
+Tower Camera Angle for Gameplay not just Replays.
+Better set plays with Free kicks and Thrown-ins.
+More realistic fouls, so they don't all look like bookable offences.
+Faster movement (especially headers and shooting etc.)
+Choose any player to take a Free kick or Corner.
+Improve keepers, they do not come out to collect the ball very well.
+More player moves.
+Fewer Shots hitting the Crossbar, more just going over.
+When you get one of your defenders sent off for fouls (two yellow cards),
there should be a way to alter the formation of your team, like a 4-4-1 or
4-3-2, so your team won't have a big gap in your defence.
+Computer-players should move and cover their opponent on free & cornerkicks
+Much better Goalie, faster movement.
+Opponent team better in Defence and Attack.
+The Computer team should be more rougher. (More freekicks and penalties)
+More realistic celebrations after a goal.
+Enable goalie to take free kick, when in own area.
+Stop ball rebounding unrealistically off a nearby opponent.
+More player formations, such as 3-4-3 and 3-3-4.
+During an opponents throw-in, the ability to cycle through players with
the change player button. Not just toggle between two.
+See above, but for freekicks and goalkicks as well.
+Change the Push move to more of a nudge.
+More realistic commentary.
+Replays when a player makes a foul in close up.
+When players are tripped, vary the amount of time that they are stumbling
forward and you can't control them. If you understand what I mean.
+Higher frame-rate on the replays.
Controls
+Key Redefine Option
+Two players on one keyboard option
+Improve mouse control: Sensitivity setting and keyboard control of
some features (the ones in the manual do affect the keyboard player)
Other Features
+Save Replay Option (very important)
+Replays saved as definable filenames, so they can be passed around on the
Net and also so the number of replays isn't limited.
+Replay Editor to change and save Camera Angles
+All League teams in Europe.
+Full management feature with Transfers, Finance, Sponsorship, etc.
+Add network support (IPX or TCPIP), Win95 and Internet Games
+Ability to Print Statistics
+Statistics for Assists, Corners, Free kicks, etc.
+Overall statistics: largest victory, quickest goal, top goal scorers
+Better Manual
+Create Custom Player Option or download new player patch file.
+Use different or fewer stats for the goalie.
+Ability to update player data & stats by adding a downloadable patch file.
--------------------
[4.3] Minor Glitches
--------------------
These are just small problems that could be solved with a patch file.
"*" denotes a new addition.
-Foul Stats don't include all fouls only bookings.
-Commentator often makes out of place comments.
-Computer players can't clear the ball out of play.
-After knock-out round in a Tournament, the cursor vanishes.
-Score often jumps around when displaying at end of match.
-The goalies can't handle a pass back, it's too easy to score an own goal.
-The referee runs too slowly.
-Control does not always go to the player with possession.
-If you run the game before you put the CD in, it crashes out and does not
allow for retries.
-Numeric Keyboard additions for mouse affect a keyboard player.
-Throw ins and Corners can go behind you.
-Statistics aren't shown at the end of the game, unless you press ESC very
quickly.
-The shot count is never right.
-Custom Speech files are created even if you have no sound setup.
-Serial Game cannot operate at higher baud rates (>9600).
-Cannot Throw back to keeper as he does not pick it up.
-There is a rare bug that gives the Goalie the ball when it is going into
the net.
-The goals list is limited to 11 with no scrollbar.
-The computer often spends too long passing the ball between its two forwards
instead of shooting.
-Stadium Clock doesn't work on replay
-The computer only remembers the last 11 goals scored, so only those are put
into the statistics.
-The results table isn't present if you do a USA league.
-The calender and game list in a league doesn't follow with the current game
very well. So it's usefulness is limited.
-Some of the celebrations after a goal just make the players look demented.
-When changing menus the cursor jumps around before you get there.
-The commentator says that it is the end of the game before you hear the
whistle. It should be left for a few seconds.
.----------------------------.
|Alternative Keyboard Strokes|
|----------------------------|
| Space Bar = D |
| Control = A |
| Alt = S |
|----------------------------|
Action | Keyboard | Joystick | GRiP | GamePad
----------------------|---------------|---------------|-----------|----------
Control Ball/Dribble | Arrows Keys | Move Joy | Pad | Pad
| | | |
Pass | ALT + Arrows | B1 + Joy | B | Y
| | | |
Lob | CTRL | B1 + B2 | A | R
| | | |
Shallow Lob | ALT + CTRL | - | X | R + Y
| | | |
Shoot | SPC | B2 | C | G
| | | |
Drop Pass | Tap ALT | Tap B1 | Tap B+Pad | Tap Y+Pad
| + Arrow Keys | + Move Joy | |
| | | |
Overhead Chip | SPC + ALT | - | B + C | G + Y
| | | |
Sprint | Hold , CTRL | Hold B1 | Z | Hold B
| ALT , or W | | |
| | | |
180 degree spin | SPC + CTRL | - | Y | R + G
| | | |
Aftertouch curve | Lft/Rgt Arrow | Joy Lft/Rgt | Pad L/R | Pad L/R
| | | |
Dive (if near net) | CTRL | B2 | C | G
| | | |
One-timer | CTRL | B2 | C | G
(if away from net) | | | |
Action | Keyboard | Joystick | GRiP | GamePad
----------------------|---------------|---------------|-----------|----------
Tackle (Elbow if | ALT | B1 | B + C | Y
near player) | | | |
| | | |
Push | SPC + ALT | - | A | G + Y
| | | |
Slide | CTRL | B1 + B2 | A | R
| | | |
Switch Player | ALT | B1 | B | Y
--------------------------------
[5.3] Controls - Ball in the Air
--------------------------------
Action | Keyboard | Joystick | GRiP | GamePad
---------------------|----------------|---------------|-----------|----------
Header, Volley, or | CTRL+Arrow Rgt | B1 + B2 | A | R
Bicycle Kick | | | |
| | | |
Switch to Closest | ALT | B1 | B | Y
Player | | | |
----------------------------
[5.4] Controls - Out of Play
----------------------------
Action | Keyboard | Joystick | GRiP | GamePad
----------------------|---------------|---------------|-----------|----------
Lob | CTRL+Arrows | B1+B2+Move Joy| A + Pad | R + Pad
| | | |
Pass | ALT +Arrows | B1 + Move Joy | B + Pad | Y + Pad
| | | |
Cycle Camera/Pl/Etc | ALT | B1 | B | Y
| | | |
Position Target Box | Arrow Keys | Move Joy | Pad | Pad
| | | |
Select set play | SPC + Arrows | B2 + Move Joy | C + Pad | G + Pad
| | | |
Hide set play selctn | CTRL+Arrws+SPC| B1+B2+Move Joy| C+Pad+A | G+Pad+R
| | | |
Execute Set Play | CTRL | B2 | C | G
| | | |
Lob to Passback Plyr | CTRL | B1 + B2 | A | R
| | | |
Pass to Passback Plyr | ALT +Arrows | B1 + Move Joy | B + Pad | Y + Pad
To perform two-button plays it is not easy to press two buttons with the
thumb, especially when they are diagonally opposite each other. Therefore
it is better if you bring your index finger from the top of the controller
down over the buttons, so it can be used to press the other button. You
might need to twist your hand slightly. Once perfected it becomes much easier
to do chips and spins. This probably applies to other gamepads as well.
MOUSE-
Set Plays
To perform a set play with the mouse hold the right button down and move
left, right and forward to pick the set play. You must then get the mouse to
a stationary position, i.e. the player is on a circle not a direction
ellipse. Let go of the right button and press it again to activate the set
play.
Throw Ins and Corners
If you are not using a set play ensure you direction ellipse is pointing
towards the pitch as you will throw or kick the ball behind you.
-------------------------------------------
[6.1] Fifa 96 Internet References - General
-------------------------------------------
*My FIFA 96 FAQ Homepage
http://www.iscon.demon.co.uk/
Get the latest FAQ and Info from here.
*Sports Games Newsgroup
comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.sports
This is where people discuss computers sports games like FIFA and is also
the place to go if you have problems running it.
*FIFA 96 Demo
ftp://mirrors.aol.com/pub/pc_games/gamehead/f/fifademo.zip
(I don't think it's there any more.)
-------------------------------------------
[6.2] Fifa 96 Internet References - Leagues
-------------------------------------------
### Mail me with URLs for Fifa 96 leagues on the Internet ###
*The Metro Premier League
http://pwp.usa.pipeline.com/~hdt96/index.shtmll
*FIFA 96 Modem Players Database
http://www.cu-online.com/~solso/fifadata.shtmll
This contains a large listing of FIFA players around the world who play
via a modem link. It includes Email addresses, where they live and
their preferred team.
----------------------
[7.0] Revision History
----------------------
-Version 2.0
Removed most of the Revision History.
I've moved my Homepage due to people complaining about it being slow.
Changed the EA Sports page.
New info on FIFA 97.
-Version 2.1
Updated Records.
More info on Fifa 97.
-Version 2.2
Minor Changes.
Updated Records.
This will probably be the last major release of this FAQ, since Fifa 97 has
come out.
