Amid all the endless drama circling around the sport of soccer, a perpetual firestorm of passion spanning the globe, sometimes it’s easy to forget about who’s in the middle of the game: humans.
No matter their position, age, club, number of international caps, pass completion percentage, or any other measurable attribute assigned to a soccer player, their lives all continue long after the final whistle blows. Unless you currently are, or have been, a professional soccer player, you’ve never experienced the task of bearing the weight of thousands of rabid fans’ expectations, or the indescribable jubilation of shining on the biggest stages.
But now, you can maybe get a little closer—and right in your living room. Yesterday, we looked at the new EA SPORTS FIFA 17 trailer, noting its increased realism in the gameday experience. But now, it’s increased in realism in the off-field part of the game, too.
Thanks to the new gameplay mode “the Journey,” the human element of the beautiful game becomes central. Players will now have the chance to experience all of the highs and lows of the life of a promising young prospect, experiencing a cinematic narrative of a young player trying to live up to his potential in front of the world’s eyes.
Players take on the identity of Alex Hunter, a 17-year-old from Clapham, London and the grandson of English legend Jim Hunter, who scored twenty goals during the 1966-67 season of the old First Division. Similar to the “My Career” gameplay mode in EA’s NBA 2K, and unlike prior versions of the FIFA career mode, “The Journey” fully immerses players in the life of Hunter both on and off the field.
Hunter has soccer in his blood, the potential to soar, and the chance to build his own personal legacy. But how far he goes is entirely up to the player—that’s you.
As an academy standout, Hunter has the opportunity to sign for a number of mammoth clubs. You, as the player, can navigate family life, agents, coaches, teammates and opponents—and the ever-volatile media—all while trying to fulfill Hunter’s potential of becoming the best player on the planet.
As a 17-year-old prospect for whom the sky’s the limit, there are two paths to follow. Will Hunter thrive under the bright lights of stardom like Christian Pulisic, or will he succumb to the weight of expectations?
You’re responsible for the choices you make along the journey. Choose wisely.
Play FIFA 16 for a chance to win a trip to the All-Star Game
The 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Game is around the corner, so how are you getting there? If you said, ‘Winning the adidas MLS Challenge,’ you’re on the right track. The competition’s on now and running through June 30 — in EA SPORTS FIFA, you can play as your favorite MLS club for a chance to win a trip to the 2016 MLS All Star game.
The top two eligible players from both Xbox One and PS4 will get flown to San Jose where they’ll play for $10,000 dollars (eligibility restrictions apply). Full details.
