In FIFA 16, the term “Momentum” is on everyone’s lips. But what’s the truth behind this phenomenon? Is it fact or mystery?
Just yesterday I heard that word again: Momentum! I was playing a few matches with my buddies in Pro Clubs, and the term was shouted loudly into the headset.
Our team is dominating – of course – the match. After 12 shots, it’s still 0:0. Just before the 90th minute, the goal finally falls – but for the opponent. What can one say?! Exactly, Momentum!
Scripted games in FIFA 16?
The term Momentum is present in numerous forums, especially directly in the EA forum, and is used by the community to describe the occurrence of a negative, game-changing intervention in the game. The main suspect for this intervention is EA Sports, the studio behind FIFA 16.
When momentum takes the stage, you are helpless. Passes no longer connect, accurate strikers shoot the ball into the clouds, and goalkeepers suddenly show glaring weaknesses. Momentum is referred to as the scripting of the games. It is said that EA determines how the game will end before the match, meaning who wins.
One thing is clear: There are such games where everything is against you. And plenty of them. I have experienced many of them myself. No one can tell me otherwise. But is it just bad luck? Or a complete failure on my part? Or does EA really have its fingers in the pie – in the literal sense.
There is no momentum – at least not officially
A secret mechanism that changes the attributes of players and thus takes on game-changing proportions definitely exists according to many voices in the community. However, EA remains tight-lipped. This is not officially confirmed.
However, EA Sports would be shooting itself in the foot if it admitted that not skill, but rather the whim of EA determines the game events. It may sound unlikely that the games in FIFA 16 are scripted; but can countless users really be so mistaken?
Of course there is momentum!
There is a heated debate in many forums about whether momentum exists or not. Many users take the side that puts EA Sports in a bad light. You can also find “proof videos” on YouTube where the game events seem to go far beyond luck or bad luck. Users interpret that as clear evidence that in some games, things are not right. According to many, momentum is a fact.
But why would EA do that? Here, too, users have come up with several theories: The Ultimate Team mode is extremely profitable for EA. Players can invest real money to purchase sets. However, if a player is not very good and loses too many games, it could frustrate them to the point of quitting and losing them as potential customers for microtransactions. Therefore, EA occasionally helps out a little and lets these players win intentionally, so that they, fueled by the feeling of success, remain loyal to the game. Just like the motto: Only an active customer is a paying customer.
Even the FIFA professional Antonio “dawnsson” Sammarco said in an interview with Kicker that he definitely believes there is momentum in FIFA. He points out that lower-tier players often score goals with nonsensical actions. The defense suddenly is completely open or some balls go into the goal from incredible distances. If you play against the same player again and suddenly win 5:0, you wonder what exactly happened in the previous game.
Dawnsson has been in the eSports business since FIFA 12 and believes that the momentum of the FIFA series has even worsened. In FIFA 12, the better player usually won; since the introduction of many new features, such as “No Touch Control”, many more unrealistic situations occur. In his opinion, FIFA is characterized by momentum, even though it does not occur in every match.
He is not alone in this opinion. However, there are also voices that label momentum as a figment of the imagination. A rumor that has only spread like wildfire on the internet.
Of course there is no momentum!
The FIFA tactic coach Alexander “Bono” Rauch can only laugh at these unofficial, secret mechanics that are supposed to influence the game. He points out that the game is ultimately a computer program operating with various mathematical algorithms. Some of this is even directly visible to the player: namely the player stats.
Furthermore, some probability calculations can influence the game; however, while one can have bad luck in a game, the dimensions of a momentum, which is merely invoked by the community, do not align with his experiences.
Bono emphasizes that the introduction of such a mechanism would be completely illogical, not to mention the complexity of implementation. The Kicker also mentions in a comment that a functioning and subtle momentum is impossible. Based on what criteria should the mechanism be accessed?
We all saw what problem EA had with goalkeepers in FIFA 15 and how long it took for them to get it somewhat right. Therefore, it seems unrealistic that EA invests time and money in such interventions in game balance.
It is further pointed out that the outcry for momentum does not only affect the FIFA series. In major eSports titles like Dota 2 or Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, these observations also exist. However, in these games, the phenomenon is referred to as “choking”. This term indicates that under high pressure, one’s own skills decline.
This can also be applied to FIFA 16: When a goal is conceded, you enter a pressure situation where automatic responses do not function anymore; you think longer and react slower. This leads to further goals against and a botched game.
That there are mechanics in these two Valve games that consciously intervene in the game events – similar to momentum – can be ruled out. Too many experts have already sifted through the code of the games.
There is no concrete evidence of momentum in FIFA 16. Bono ultimately points out that momentum serves as a great excuse, but nothing more. Players should look for the mistakes within themselves rather than blaming EA for every conceded goal. One should reflect on themselves.
Of course, the game operates on probabilities; therefore, one must rely on luck in addition to skill. That there are games where one has no luck at all does happen unfortunately. Also in reality, a sure-shot striker doesn’t score every ball into the goal. This actually speaks for the realism of the football simulation. But Bono definitely does not believe in momentum.
Then I might as well put on my tin foil hat before the next game.
Can the phenomenon be circumvented somehow?
Whether momentum is really just an excuse from gamers or if there is more behind it cannot be definitively clarified without a statement from EA Sports or solid evidence. But if you are firmly convinced of momentum and do not want to just follow the people who dismiss momentum as a conspiracy theory, the question arises: Can it be circumvented or even turned off?
In online forums, some users write that the phenomenon occurs mainly online. In offline modes, such as the kickoff mode, it occurs much less frequently. Unfortunately, you cannot “turn it off”, especially since its existence is not even clarified. You can search for a long time in the options and settings.
Some of my buddies have recently mentioned how enjoyable the career mode is. In that mode, one gets significantly less upset than when continuously tackling stressful online matches. Whether this is ultimately due to momentum or if the online modes simply evoke more tensions and emotions – I won’t judge.
What is your opinion on the topic of momentum?
Have you ever wondered if it is worth opening Ultimate Team packs in FIFA 16? Here are the answers.
