FIFA 08's Top Ranked Online Gamer Takes on the World

Millions of gamers throughout the world have become addicted to EA Sports FIFA series. FIFA 08, for the second year in a row, has been the biggest selling game in the UK. EA Sports has even teamed up with FIFA and Sony to put on a worldwide tournament to find the best FIFA gamer alive. The search consists of tournaments across six continents, and just in case they missed someone, they've added an online component as well. The winners of these events will meet up in Berlin, Germany this spring to determine the grand champion. SportsGamer was able to catch up with the world's top ranked online gamer, Danny Taylor, and talk about FIFA online play, tactics, and his chances to take home the $20,000 grand prize as the FIFA Interactive World Cup Champion.


Name: Danny Taylor
PS3 Handle: dannytaylor
Location: Middlesbrough, England
Age: 15
Record: 997 - 151
Danny is currently the #1 ranked player on the PlayStation 3 console, and the #2 ranked player in the FIWC online standings.

Before interviewing Danny, I wanted to make sure he was the real deal. Often times I find guys at the top of the online rankings are simply cheaters that manipulate the rankings. Let me tell you, this guy is for real. I'm not too shabby at FIFA. I'm currently ranked in the top 1000, and win a good majority of my games. However, we played one game and he blew me out! The most embarrassing part of the beating was that he had TWO players red carded, and was still scoring goals playing two men down! I'm going to decline to post the score, but I can assure you this guy is at the top of hist game.

SportsGamer: Thanks for taking the time to speak with us. Speaking of time, how many games do you typically play per day?

Danny Taylor: I usually play between five and ten games per day - so basically I play anywhere from one and a half and three hours per day. I only play people who are level 20 and up though in order to boost my experience. It's just a waste of my time to play guys who are new to the game. I'm trying to ready myself as much as I can for the FIWC.

SportsGamer: Tell me a little about the FIWC. What is it? Are you going to be going to any of the qualifiers in the UK? What are you chances to win?

Danny Taylor: FIWC stands for FIFA International World Cup. It's a huge worldwide tournament to find the best FIFA gamer. They have tournaments all over the world, and then they also have an online qualifier. The qualifiers are being held in the UK in April. However, since I'm the #1 player online in the world, I'm currently qualified through online. As long as I stay at the top of the online leaderboard, I'm not going to go to a qualifier.

I am very confident I can win the FIWC. I am an honest person and not the type who just thinks I am better than everyone, but since playing FIFA 08 I have not come across anyone who I can honestly say is better than me. I would say AdamW is just as good as me and has an equal chance of winning the FIWC, but I still think if it came to it I have what it takes to get past him.

SportsGamer: How long have you been playing the FIFA series? How would you compare it to it's competitor, Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer?

Danny Taylor: I've been playing FIFA since FIFA 97. It is an amazing game. Pro Evolution Soccer is nowhere near as popular as FIFA here in the UK. I think just about all my friends agree that FIFA is a better game. However, I am one of the few people that plays both games. I like PES only because I think it requires a bit more stick skill, which makes the best player win more often.

SportsGamer: Can you elaborate a little bit about the differences between FIFA and PES?

Danny Taylor: The best player does not win every time on FIFA 08. Some of the game's I've lost would amaze you at the bad luck I've had. I win around 90% of my games, but I think I should be winning more often as the world's number one player. However, there is little I can do sometimes in FIFA because things are taken out of the user's control. Pro Evolution Soccer, on the other hand, gives the user much more control. Overall, it's not near as fun of a game, and something just feels a little bit off about it this year, but it does give the user the ability to highlight their stick control. Because of this, you see quite a few more people gambling on PES than FIFA. With that said, I still prefer the FIFA game.

SportsGamer: What would you like to see EA improve about the game for FIFA 09 to ensure that the user has more control?

Danny Taylor: The main thing I would like to see changed in Fifa 09 is the goalkeeping. The goalkeeping this year is really pathetic as keepers are always beaten at the near post yet seem invincible to shots going across their body. I'd also like to see the user get a little more control of a player when they click on. I think once this is sorted out there are not many improvements that can be made it is a pretty excellent game.

SportsGamer: Let's talk a little about strategy. Tell me what team you use?

Danny Taylor: I play with Barcelona. I hear people all the time complain about them, but they're the best team on the game and I want to win the FIWC, so I'm going to play with the best. Barcelona plays with speed and power, which I enjoy. I support Middlesbrough in real life, but they're pathetic in FIFA 08 so it's just not realistic for me to use them.

SportsGamer: What formation do you use? Why?

Danny Taylor: I really like the 4-2-2-2. It is a very good formation because I have two center midfielders helping defensively and two attacking midfielders helping offensively. It's almost like a 6-0-4. Because of Barcelona's speed and power this formation fit's them perfectly.

SportsGamer: Do you use the d-pad tactics?

Danny Taylor: For the most part, I don't use the d-pad tactics. However, sometimes I notice that my opponent will begin the game by killing the clock and trying to play keep away. In this situation I like to use the total pressure to create turnovers.

SportsGamer: What do you think about the Skill Moves that EA has added this year? Which do you like the most?

Danny Taylor: I think the skill moves are a great addition to the game. However, I think they're often over used. I don't typically use them until I have a comfortable lead, or there is a safe result. My favourites are the ones in which you flick the ball over your opponents head, these are by far the most effective as there is little your opponent can do to defend against these types of tricks in an online game.

SportsGamer: How would you describe your style of play?

Danny Taylor: I would describe my style of play as very attacking minded, my main idea is to outscore my opponent but I still like to keep it tight at the back.

SportsGamer: What would you recommend to guys who are just starting out in FIFA? How can they get as good as you?

Danny Taylor: For someone just starting, I would advise them to keep things simple at first and to try and find a winning strategy. First things I would advise are to pass alot and keep shots low. It's easier to score by firing low shots to the near corner than any other target.

SportsGamer: Can you elaborate on how to keep shots low?

Danny Taylor: I keep my shots low by not putting alot of power in them. It's important to go for placement, not power. Also, taking a heavy touch before shooting helps.

SportsGamer: For someone a little more advanced, can you give them some tips as well.

Danny Taylor: Sure, it's a little difficult because everyone plays differently. The one thing I think would help people the most is learning when to use the different passing buttons. I vary between x and triangle passes. If there is no defender with a chance of cutting out the ball I use the triangle button but if there is a defender with a chance of cutting it out I use the x button for a more accurate and a more to-feet pass. The key to a good through ball is the angle you create.

SportsGamer: Thanks for taking time out of your day to speak with us. I'm looking forward to our rematch!

Danny Taylor: Any time!