Five new innovations will make FIFA 2013 the best football game yet, claims Electronic Arts.

New artificial intelligence will give players the ability to create, curve, or alter runs, possibly pulling defenders out of position to open passing channels for teammates.

Complete Dribbling will enable players to face their opponent and use precise dribble touches. Players will change direction quicker than before, are more explosive accelerating with the ball, and are more effective shielding defenders for longer stretches.

 

Insomniacs and strategy junkies be warned, life isn’t going to get any easier this June, when Firaxis lets loose the dogs of war with its long-awaited expansion to Civilization V.

Though the preview code provided was only a taste of things to come, it’s clear from just a few hours play that Civilization V: Gods and Kings promises to be more than just a new bell or whistle on its parent title two years later. With 27 new units, 13 new buildings, nine new wonders, and nine new civilisations to play around with, the question will not simply be where to find time, but how to physically brew and bottle it.

In any case, it’s time to start chanting those Hail Marys, because religion is set to return to Civilization with a vengeance. Faith can now be harvested like any other resource, and the benefits it provides are evident with the introduction of features such as pantheons.

 

US retailer GameStop has announced a partnership with Valve that will make Steam Cards available in its stores.

Steam Wallet, a payment service Valve’s digital download store, has been around since 2010.

The cards, which top up a purchaser’s Steam funds, currently come in USD $20 and USD $50 denominations.

 

Capcom is looking into whether it will continue to provide on-disc DLC with its games.

The announcement has come after gamers reacted unfavourably toward the on-disc DLC available in Capcom’s Street Fight X Tekken.

“We would like to assure you that we have been listening to your comments and as such have begun the process of re-evaluating how such additional game content is delivered in the future,” said Capcom Senior Vice-President Christian Svensson on Capcom’s forums.

 

The Rhode Island government is hoping to keep struggling Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning developer 38 Studios open.

Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation met with 38 Studios for discussions, and hoped to protect the taxpayer dollars invested in the company.

The game studio, founded by pro baseball player Curt Schilling, received a USD $75 million (NZD $97.5m) loan guarantee from the Rhode Island Economic Development Committee prior to Chafee taking office.