Questions from Appolicious.com
Answered by: Ryan Winterholler, Producer
Today EA Mobile released Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 for all iOS devices. We checked in with EA producer Ryan Wintreholler to learn about new gameplay features and how the popular golf title will be playable on multiple devices (including a separate title that will work exclusively on the iPad).
The tools and technologies to create great mobile games changes seemingly by the day. How did this impact and inform the development of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12?
Yes, this has always been a challenge in our business, but we adapt very quickly. Fortunately, these changes didn’t have too much of an impact on Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 12. In fact, with the growing and improved technologies and new devices being released we are able to create more robust, high quality games, like Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 12. The biggest challenge, however, was the fact that we wanted to support all the new devices and upgraded technologies, which we continue to do, but at some point you have to release a game.
How would you rate the difficulty of play for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 in comparison to the first Tiger Woods PGA Tour?
The difficulties in the game can be as difficult as you want it to be. This year, we feature three levels of difficulty, whereas in the previous Tiger Woods PGA TOUR, there were no difficulty options. These new options now tailor to a much broader audience. Whether you are just a casual player or someone who wants a real challenge, we provide these difficulty options in order for everybody to have the best experience possible.
What areas of the gameplay have been improved in the new version?
We focused a lot of attention on the putting this year. We read a lot of user reviews in the App Store from the previous Tiger Woods game and felt that this was one area that we could improve upon. What we changed, in addition to the putt preview, is we also added a “sweet spot” area within the putting meter so that you can better tell where you need to slide your finger to within the meter.
We also changed the way your “Create a Player” works and tied actual experience to your attributes. For example, when you first start out with your created golfer with no upgrades, you will notice that the margin of error is greater in the swing meter “sweet spot”. As you upgrade your created golfer, your swing meter’s sweet spots will grow allowing you to have a much better chance at hitting the “sweet spot.”
Tell us about the “Closest to the Pin” Facebook Challenge feature.
Our “Closest to the Pin” Facebook Challenge is one of our new premiere features in the game this year. Twice a week you will be able to play a different Par 3 hole with your Facebook friends. The challenge is who can get closest to the pin. You have unlimited shots and can play all day long.
You will also be able to have full functionality of the “Closest to the Pin” Facebook Challenge with our Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 12 FREE version. It a quick way to get your golf fix if you’re on the run since you can play for 3 minutes or for hours.
What mobile platforms will this be available for and do you have iPad and tablet-specific versions of the game?
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 12 will be available on all iOS devices and will also have a separate version made specifically for the iPad.
