As if we needed any more FIFA sport titles, another one is set to grace our 360s this coming year. A new football title (that’s soccer, if you don’t live in Europe) is set for release from the giant that is EA, this time solely focused on the Champions League. However, EA are at least trying to innovate this time.

This time around, EA have decided to throw in a card based system, that only a press release can fully explain:

The Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system version of the title introduces a new way to play the beautiful game by introducing a unique and collectable virtual card system in the Ultimate Team mode that enables you to develop your team. This complements the traditional way of playing as your favorite club team from qualification right through to a virtual reproduction of the championship final. Plus, UEFA Champions League 2006-2007 features new challenging game modes to test the most skillful players at the highest levels.The Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system version of the title introduces a new way to play the beautiful game by introducing a unique and collectable virtual card system in the Ultimate Team mode that enables you to develop your team. This complements the traditional way of playing as your favorite club team from qualification right through to a virtual reproduction of the championship final. Plus, UEFA Champions League 2006-2007 features new challenging game modes to test the most skillful players at the highest levels.

“We celebrate the passion football fans have for their club teams by capturing all of the classic rivalries in-game and enabling players to win glory for their club teams in UEFA Champions League 2006-2007,” said Ken Sayler, lead producer on the Xbox 360 system. “This is the ultimate stage for club football in Europe and we’re giving you the power to build and manage your dream team by creating a unique virtual card system to collect, trade and use players on your way to glory.”

Using collectable cards in Ultimate Team Mode on the Xbox 360 system, players can hand-pick everything from your team and staff members to your match strategy and stadium. Now you can build your dream team by going online to collect or trade virtual player, staff and gameplay cards; effectively organize your squad to foster team chemistry; accumulate Staff, Training, Morale, Fitness and Healing cards to transform your squad into a European super power online. Collect dominant Gameplay cards, and then use them at key moments during a match to gain the tactical advantage over your opponent. Gameplay cards can be activated during a contest to boost the abilities of your players and team. For the greatest rewards, put your managerial ability and your playing skills to the test by trading or selling unwanted cards or trawling the market online for the ones you need to complete your title-winning team.

It sounds interesting, to say the least. The card idea sounds as if it will work really well online, with the ability to trade with others. And it isn’t part of the main game, but a different option completely, so it won’t ruin your enjoyment of the normal football. There are also some added benefits for us 360 gamers:

UEFA Champions League 2006-2007 on the Xbox 360 system features a game engine with a more fluid player movement system that makes it easier for players to perform more incisive, defense-splitting one-twos, first touches and through passes with a ball that’s alive with its own independent physics and even more responsive to every touch. The game also supports up to eight-way multiplayer matches in the Lounge and boasts a plethora of in-game unlockable content.

A rendered shot

Eight way multiplayer sounds excellent, and should be a real laugh if you can get the right crowd over Live. And the game is being tweaked to work more fluidly with the 360, and perhaps exploit some of the 360s’ strengths.

Perhaps EA have been listening to critiscm they have received over the past few months, and have finally decided to do something about it. It’s true that the game would need a bit more depth than a simple Champions League mode (which would include a mere 13 games overall, including qualifying stages), something EA didn’t realise with their first football outing on the 360. Hopefully the card system will be good, and work as it should. If they can make it similar to a management game, but not as in-depth, then EA could be onto a winner. Even if the game is below par, it’ll still sell like hotcakes, so let’s hope the game offers more playing value for your money.

The game is set for release on the 23rd of March 2007 (presumably just Europe), two months before the final of the Champions League.