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Sensible World of Soccer 96/97

First hands-on and a chat with Jon Hare.

Kristan Reed avatar
Preview by Kristan Reed Contributor
Updated on
43 comments

Having finally played this excellent remake, we collared the game's original designer Jon Hare and threw over some questions from the forum. Over to you, Jon...

EurogamerCan I have managers, ball boys, players warming up, cameramen, photographers, etc?
Jon Hare

It is like the Amiga 96/97 version of SWOS. If you play against someone online then it is like the Amiga 96/97 version of SWOS with two joysticks plugged in. So, no to everything except management.

EurogamerWhat's the date of release please?
Jon Hare

Erm, later this year...

EurogamerIs it going to have the full edit mode like the Amiga version?
Jon Hare

You can make all the teams you want, just like the good old days.

EurogamerAnd will it have the daftly named teams and players too?
Jon Hare

I jolly well hope so. Kebab Shop and Essex Girls do it for me every time.

EurogamerWill Norwich City still be the devastating force they were in the Amiga incarnations and capable of beating everyone?
Fouling is every bit as outrageous as you remember.
Jon Hare

Of course, just like they will be next season...look out Scunthorpe!

EurogamerWill there be updated (current) leagues, teams and rosters for the Xbox Live version as downloadable content?
Jon Hare

Not officially no, I don't think so.

EurogamerWill there be multiplayer tournaments organised?
Jon Hare

Oh yes I hope so...there are already many around the world on other formats.

EurogamerAre you a FIFA man or a Pro Evo man at heart?
Jon Hare

Evo.

EurogamerWill it be just one-on-one? Is two-on-two possible?
Jon Hare

Only one-on-one...don't be greedy now.

EurogamerHas this opened the door for some more Sensible works? Cannon Fodder perhaps. Or even Sensible Golf?
Jon Hare

Cannon Fodder would be great; Sensible Golf I have always had my reservations about.

EurogamerWill there be that cool hidden bit where Engerland played West Germany and the screen goes black and white ala 1966?
Jon Hare

Erm...No!

EurogamerWill you do SWOS for PSN as well?
Jon Hare

Sorry, I don't think so.

Check out the shocked expressions.
EurogamerHow difficult was/is it mapping the control mechanism to the 360 pad, as SWOS is all about precision?
Jon Hare

It has mapped really well. It's not so different from old console and '96 versions - now a DS would be harder!

EurogamerWill I be able to play as apples and oranges again?
Jon Hare

If you screw your eyes up and paint your telly.

EurogamerDo developers feel any sense of responsibility for putting out quality products on XBLA, or is there a sense that anything will sell?
Jon Hare

Good games will always sell, hardware is just hardware.

EurogamerDid the recent Xbox/PS2 version influence what you left in/added to the original, core game?
Jon Hare

No not at all; this is a straight port, probably what we should have done in the first place.

EurogamerWere lessons carried over to this project?
Jon Hare

Yes, there is no point in reinventing the wheel.

EurogamerWill the Cannon Fodder style mod be included somewhere as a bonus?
Jon Hare

Sorry no...I mean yes...I mean no.

EurogamerWill we ever see the true return of Sensible Software along with some brand new IP?
Jon Hare

Like The Who headlining Glastonbury? Extremely unlikely at the moment - who wants to buy new IP?

EurogamerAny other versions being released? I can play SWOS using UAE on the PSP so how about a proper version for it?
Jon Hare

What do you want a proper version for when you already have the rip-off one? Good idea though, and it does translate well.

EurogamerWill it play at the same speed as the Amiga version? That was the main issue with the PC release; it was too fast in comparison.
Jon Hare

Like I said before it is a direct port of the Amiga version so yes, this is the best ever version of SWOS or Sensible Soccer brought to life again by XBLA.

EurogamerHow much personal involvement have you had in the port?
Jon Hare

I have had very little input; this is a faithful port by my friends at Kuju Sheffield and the graphics have been done by my other friend, ex-Sensible artist Stoo Cambridge.

Sensible World of Soccer 96/97 (SWOS) is coming to Xbox Live Arcade and PC via Codemasters later this year. The cost remains unconfirmed.

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