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EA Sports unveils 'trainer' mode for Wii games

By Emma Boyes, GameSpot UKPosted Jul 5, 2007 8:21 am PT

'Family play' will allow kids and gaming newbies to play various EA Sports titles using just the Wii Remote.

The Wii's intuitive controller has been widely heralded as one of the reasons behind the success of Nintendo's latest console and its appeal to gamers and non-gamers alike. However, Electronic Arts has decided that even this control system might be too complex for some, and has unveiled a "Family Play" system.

Upcoming titles Madden NFL 08, NBA Live 08, and FIFA 08 will allow players entering a contest to choose between two play modes in the Wii versions: Advanced or Family. Advanced will give gamers complete control over all aspects of play, whereas the Family mode will just allow the gamer to control key actions, such as shooting, passing, snapping, and throwing.

Advanced Play will utilise both the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk controllers, and Family Play uses just the Wii Remote. In a statement, EA said, "It's like having an invisible helper on your team. Plus, as novice players gain confidence in their ability, they can gradually begin to use Advanced controls simply by plugging in the Nunchuk."

108 Comments

  • black_ice23

    Posted Jul 6, 2007 6:42 pm PT

    w/e as long as i can turn it off and play da regular its all good

  • ktseymour

    Posted Jul 6, 2007 5:00 pm PT

    Two steps forward one step back! What in the heck, they've turned EA games into Dragons Lair. If this casual trend continues they are going to alianate their market, or the Wii will turn gaming into one huge and boring mini-game. Hopefully this will have the SouthPark Chipokeman effect and dev's will come to their senses and put casual gaming where it belongs....the Casino

  • Crisis_Eye

    Posted Jul 6, 2007 8:56 am PT

    nice lil idea

  • TTDog

    Posted Jul 6, 2007 3:22 am PT

    I fail to see what is innovative about renaming the "Difficulty Setting", there have been games around for years where if you played on Easy you only had to worry about 1 or 2 game elements, which became 3 or 4 game elements on Normal amd added 2 or 3 other elements on Hard.

    All EA have done here is change the name of an already fairly standard feature, no big deal.

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Jul 6, 2007 12:20 am PT

    Oh and to comment on the report. I think it is an excellent idea. Looks like EA are really trying for once.

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 11:42 pm PT

    I read about this days ago on IGN. Keep up Gamespot.

  • gnbfd

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 10:57 pm PT

    Madden, NBA, Fifa=AWESOME!

    Wii-ULTRA AWESOME

    Family mode-WOOHOO

    EA NATION-NO FRIEND CODES!!!!

  • Superion74

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 9:09 pm PT

    I think the addition of "Family Play" mode is an excellent idea. Wii Sports is essentially a sports title with this system installed, which is why family members and people who never played video games can pick up. And by having this system in other EA sports titles, it will entice Wii Sports-loving gamers to play along with the hardcore gamers. I for one will definitely buy Madden and NBA 2008, and I will consider buying FIFA as well.

  • Nintendo_Man

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 8:45 pm PT

    Actually everyone is new to the Wii controls since it is a new way to play so it can be useful for all. Plus it will attract casuals who probably don't consider sports games because they think they games are too hard to play.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 8:39 pm PT

    fifa 08 should be good

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 8:20 pm PT

    Where's NHL?

  • boobush

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 6:43 pm PT

    Can you imagine if you could strap on the controller to your leg for FIFA 08 using the motion sensoring?

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 6:42 pm PT

    Well that is what Nintendo wanted the Wii to be for right? To cater to the casual gamer. Good thing this will be optional though. Too simple is never good.

  • Two400

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 3:53 pm PT

    YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

  • enoslives7

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 3:44 pm PT

    EA wants to monopolize sports games , which hurts us gamers. BOYCOTT EA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • kyo_tetsuei

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 3:40 pm PT

    This makes me want to get a Wii. This is an amazing development, and thanks to EA for implementing something new and fresh.

  • EPaul

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 3:06 pm PT

    good idea

  • A7Xfan

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 3:04 pm PT

    Well done EA. I NEVER thought I would say this but I might be picking up Madden this year for Wii instead of All-Pro Football for 360! I mean online finally and I'm assuming they're adding most everything the other console versions get like improved animations.

  • treznick

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 2:48 pm PT

    This news makes me yearn for the good ole days of "10-yard fight"!

  • Blazefool

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 2:38 pm PT

    Great idea. I got a 3 1/2 year old little girl and she loves Wario Ware and Mario Party 8. Shes great at Wario Ware but the mini games on Mario Party area bit too much for her. With a little help liek this new system, she would be able to pick it up even faster. I know its only for EA games now but the idea has potential for all games. Come on guys, anything that makes it easier for new gamers so we dont lose them caus ethey get frustrated is good for gaming. We need all the gamers we can get. With that being said....Nintendo rocks!!!

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