EA dates FIFA 10

This year's battle of the football games looks to be the biggest yet, as both EA and Konami are stepping it up a gear, with current underdogs Konami promising significant improvements to the upcoming Pro Evolution Soccer 2010. The question is, which game will be out first? Konami has currently only given a vague autumn release date for PES 2010--but today EA confirmed a firm date for its latest football game.

FIFA 10 will be available internationally on October 2 and will be released on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Wii, PlayStation 2, DS, and PSP. EA has promised the new version of the game will be the "most complete and intelligent simulation of football." The publisher also claims to have taken in feedback from the 275 million online games played in FIFA 09 and used it to improve the new game.

The biggest of the improvements is apparently the new 360-degree dribbling system, which allows for finer control of the ball. The move from the old eight-way system allows for gamers to find spaces between defenders and also enables much better player animation. Other improvements include more realistic player movements and behaviours, slide tackle targeting, and a more powerful rushing system. The Manager mode also makes a return, with EA boasting more than 50 improvements, including realistic player transfers, new match realism, and "true-to-life player growth curves."

With FIFA 09 still selling well and even managing to be the number-two selling game for the year so far behind Wii Fit, FIFA 10 has a lot to live up to. Check out GameSpot's brand new hands-on or the exclusive interview below for more.