Here you go ...
EA SPORTS.com: While EA has published their Rugby game in Australia & New Zealand for several years, this is only the second release of the game in North America. What features does the game include specifically for players new to the game and/or the sport in general?
Andrew Wilson: We have taken a three tiered approach for those new to the game and new to the sport:
Get in the Game Tutorial -- This is a short tutorial that the user will be able to complete before getting into general game-play. It will give them a solid basic knowledge of key game-play controls.
Rugby 101 -- This is a video geared towards those completely new to the sport who would like to learn a little more about rugby before getting into gameplay. It will cover many of the basics including team makeup, moving the ball, penalties etc.
Practice Mode -- Tis is a series of challenge base skill tests that will give the user the opportunity to further refine their skills.
EA: For fans familiar with the previous release, what’s the biggest change or upgrade to gameplay?
AW: In utilizing the new engine, developed by EA Canada, we have been able to create an overall faster pace of play -- this will be evident from the first kickoff. Another area that we are really happy with is the use of “Set Plays on the Flyâ€. Rather than choosing from a menu of plays for lineouts and scrums, the user will be able to select a play on the fly with the D-Pad. The biggest win is that this will also be available for rucks.
EA: It sounds like you’ve added even more teams this year. Tell us about the international and domestic club teams in EA SPORTS Rugby 2005, and the availability of the star players.
AW: We have all the international and domestic teams from Rugby 2004, including world cup qualifying teams and Super 12 teams plus we have added a few extras. Most notably, we have added a fully licensed British Lions team and subsequent tour -- the biggest rugby event in 2005.
EA: What competitions are in the game this year, like cups, club tournaments, international competitions, or user-created tournaments?
AW: As mentioned above, we have added the British Lions tour in Rugby 2005 together with the 6 Nations tournament, which will be taking place around launch of Rugby 2005. This rounds out our other international tournaments like the Tri-nations and Bledisloe Cup and domestic tournaments such as the Super 12’s.
EA: Tell us about some of the new strategies and tactics in the game. Will players be able to set plays on the fly, make side-steps, jukes and other fakes?
AW: As noted before, we do have set plays on the fly, which are a huge improvement and help the user maintain momentum throughout game-play. Another great addition to the controls of Rugby 2005 is the use of the right stick for side-steps, dukes and hand-offs/stiff arms. With a ‘quick flick’ of the right stick in the appropriate direction, the in-game players will be side-stepping and stiff arming like the champions they are.
EA: What about stadium crowd and game atmosphere, like songs, chants, etc? What’s been added this year, and can it affect the momentum of individual matches?
AW: We have learnt some great things from our other sports development teams, specifically FIFA. For the first time, Rugby 2005 will feature national anthems for all national teams and a wide variety of team specific chants that can be heard through out the Rugby world. For home teams this will increase their ability to ‘pull out all stops’ when it counts.
EA: Anything else you want to add about EA SPORTS Rugby 2005?
AW: All in all, rugby gamers and sports gamers alike are going to see amazing improvements in both visuals and game-play since Rugby 2004. We have invested a tremendous amount in an endeavor to deliver a fast paced, visually stunning authentic rugby product that is fun for all. I can’t wait!
