While many games in the sporting genre continue to offer little more than an upgrade to their predecessor, FIFA has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years implementing a wide range of game modes, online innovations and a truly outstanding game engine that works wonders to simulate the beautiful game. Though FIFA 11 was more of a refinement of FIFA 10’s issues than a further evolution of the series, it certainly didn't disappoint. However there was still plenty of room for improvement.

This year there are going to be some major changes. Not content with the beautiful game that FIFA 11 currently delivers, FIFA 12 looks to improve in almost every department. The latest issue of OXM speaks with Lead gameplay designer Aaron McHardy who reveals how the football on the pitch has been fine-tuned with precision dribbling, new defensive maneuvers and the ability to get injured while playing.

McHardy says you can injure your players by over-working them, or making a rash challenge, as well as through crunching tackles from your opponents. In defense, players will no longer be able to “press” opponents, but will instead be able to “contain,” jockeying them into a safe position before timing a tackle to perfection. Animations will also be overhauled to bring home the intensity of the tackle. Overall, McHardy claims the FIFA 12 Impact Engine now “gives us better accuracy, better momentum, more realistic outcomes, solving a lot of situations we tried not to get into before.”

Dribbling has also been enhanced and now, instead of having two changes of pace – slow and fast – players will have a third “jogging” speed they can use which aims to give us more control over the ball as well as the ability to dribble and shield. And you’re going need every trick in the book to work your way past defenses as A.I. in FIFA 12 is said be vastly improved.

Overall, OXM seemed bowled over by FIFA 12. "The result is physical play that looks astonishingly authentic,” says the author. "EA's hoping that by making defensive play more strategic, even nil-nil draws will be gripping." FIFA 12 is due for release in October, 2011.