Sensible Soccer
Encyclopedia
Sensible Soccer, often affectionately known as Sensi, is an association football video game series which was highly popular in the early 1990s and which still retains a cult following. Developed by Sensible Software
and first released for Amiga
and Atari ST
computers in 1992 as well as for the PC
, it featured a zoomed-out bird's-eye view
(most games until then such as Kick Off
and Matchday used a closer top-down or side view), editable national, club and custom teams and gameplay utilising a relatively simple and user-friendly control scheme. The game topped charts such as Amiga Power
's "All Time Top 100". The graphic style of the game was used in other Sensible Software games, such as Mega Lo Mania
, Cannon Fodder
and Sensible Golf
.
that the series would make a return in the Summer of 2006, with a full 3D title to be released on PC, PlayStation 2
and Xbox
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=61490. Codemasters
, the holders of the licence, would release the game across all PAL
territories, with the design capabilities overseen by Jon Hare
, the original designer of the game. On June 9, 2006, it was released in Europe. No North American release is planned at this time.
, developed by Kuju Sheffield, for the Xbox 360
to be released in summer 2007 on Xbox Live Arcade
. It features both the classic "retro" visuals of the original SWOS, as well as new improved high definition graphics, and retains the exact gameplay of the 96/97 version of Sensible World of Soccer. Due to problems with the game's network performance, the release was delayed in order for "significant proportions" of the network code to be rewritten. After missing several previous release dates, the game appeared on Xbox Live Arcade
on December 19, 2007 but was quickly pulled. A statement from Microsoft confirmed that an incorrect version of the game had been made available, in which online play was not possible. The fixed version of the game was released two days later on December 21. The Windows version is still yet to be given a release date.
placed the game at #1 in their Top 50 Mega Drive Games of All Time.
On March 12, 2007, The New York Times
reported that The Sensible World of Soccer (1994) was named to a list of the ten most important video games of all time by Stanford Professor Henry Lowood and the four members of his committee — the game designers Warren Spector
and Steve Meretzky
; Matteo Bittanti, an academic researcher; and Christopher Grant, a game journalist. 2 This list was also announced at the 2007 Game Developers Conference
.
Sensible World of Soccer 1995/96 received review scores of 96% from both Amiga Power
and Amiga Format
, the joint highest mark given for any game by either magazine.
Sensible World of Soccer (1994) received recognition as one of the Ten Most Important Video Games of All Time by the History of Science and Technology Collections at Stanford University.
It appears that your budget rises up a million more. (More you hit "M", more you get a million)
See the source pictures as a reference
Sensible Software
Sensible Software was a software house active during the 1980s and 90s, from the United Kingdom.The company was well-known for the very small sprites used for the player characters in many of their games, including Sensible Soccer, Cannon Fodder and Sensible Golf.- Early history :Sensible Software...
and first released for Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
and Atari ST
Atari ST
The Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
computers in 1992 as well as for the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
, it featured a zoomed-out bird's-eye view
Bird's-eye view
A bird's-eye view is an elevated view of an object from above, with a perspective as though the observer were a bird, often used in the making of blueprints, floor plans and maps.It can be an aerial photograph, but also a drawing...
(most games until then such as Kick Off
Kick Off
The Kick Off franchise is a series of football simulation computer games which was highly popular in the early 1990s. The series is renowned for its fast-paced action and delicate ball control scheme....
and Matchday used a closer top-down or side view), editable national, club and custom teams and gameplay utilising a relatively simple and user-friendly control scheme. The game topped charts such as Amiga Power
Amiga Power
Amiga Power was a monthly magazine about Amiga computer games. It was published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and ran for 65 issues, from May 1991 to September 1996....
's "All Time Top 100". The graphic style of the game was used in other Sensible Software games, such as Mega Lo Mania
Mega Lo Mania
Mega Lo Mania is a real-time strategy computer game developed by Sensible Software. It was released for the Amiga in 1991, and ported for a variety of other platforms. It was released as Tyrants: Fight Through Time in North America....
, Cannon Fodder
Cannon Fodder
Cannon Fodder is a short series of war themed action video games developed by Sensible Software, initially released for the Commodore Amiga. Only two games in the series were released, but were converted to most active systems at the time of release...
and Sensible Golf
Sensible Golf
Sensible Golf was a 2D golf game released by Sensible Software in 1994 for the Amiga.The game featured the same pin-like characters that had previously been used with great success in Sensible Soccer and Cannon Fodder, although upon release it was deemed a commercial failure and received lacklustre...
.
Origins
Sensible World of Soccer, commonly referred to as SWOS, was released in 1994. It became a first in video games when it attempted to encompass the entire professional footballing world into one game. Featuring many divisions in many countries around the globe, it featured a twenty season career mode which allowed players to manage and play as thousands of different clubs from across the globe, many of which were very obscure.Next generation
On November 1, 2005, it was announced in an interview at gaming website EurogamerEurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
that the series would make a return in the Summer of 2006, with a full 3D title to be released on PC, PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=61490. Codemasters
Codemasters
The Codemasters Software Company Limited, or Codemasters is a British video game developer founded by Richard and David Darling in 1986...
, the holders of the licence, would release the game across all PAL
PAL
PAL, short for Phase Alternating Line, is an analogue television colour encoding system used in broadcast television systems in many countries. Other common analogue television systems are NTSC and SECAM. This page primarily discusses the PAL colour encoding system...
territories, with the design capabilities overseen by Jon Hare
Jon Hare
Jon "Jops" Hare is a British computer game designer, game artist and musician. He is one of the two founder members and directors, with Chris Yates, of Sensible Software, one of the most successful European games development companies of the late 1980s and 1990s.Hare was co-designer and artist of...
, the original designer of the game. On June 9, 2006, it was released in Europe. No North American release is planned at this time.
Xbox Live Arcade
On September 27, 2006, Codemasters announced a new version of Sensible World of SoccerSensible World of Soccer
Sensible World of Soccer was designed and developed by Sensible Software as the 1994 sequel to their 1992 hit game Sensible Soccer which combined a 2D football game with a comprehensive manager mode...
, developed by Kuju Sheffield, for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
to be released in summer 2007 on Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
. It features both the classic "retro" visuals of the original SWOS, as well as new improved high definition graphics, and retains the exact gameplay of the 96/97 version of Sensible World of Soccer. Due to problems with the game's network performance, the release was delayed in order for "significant proportions" of the network code to be rewritten. After missing several previous release dates, the game appeared on Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
on December 19, 2007 but was quickly pulled. A statement from Microsoft confirmed that an incorrect version of the game had been made available, in which online play was not possible. The fixed version of the game was released two days later on December 21. The Windows version is still yet to be given a release date.
Awards
From the time of its release, MegaMega (magazine)
MEGA, subtitled '100% pure Mega Drive' was a monthly magazine, published in the United Kingdom, aimed at users of the Sega Mega Drive and its additions, the Mega CD and 32X. During its time, as one of the main Mega Drive publications, Mega covered the golden age of the Sega Mega Drive; from 1992 to...
placed the game at #1 in their Top 50 Mega Drive Games of All Time.
On March 12, 2007, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
reported that The Sensible World of Soccer (1994) was named to a list of the ten most important video games of all time by Stanford Professor Henry Lowood and the four members of his committee — the game designers Warren Spector
Warren Spector
Warren Spector is a role-playing game designer and a video game designer. He is known for having worked to merge elements of role-playing games and first-person shooters. He currently resides in Austin, Texas with his wife, fantasy writer Caroline L. Spector...
and Steve Meretzky
Steve Meretzky
Steven Eric Meretzky is an American computer game developer, with dozens of titles to his credit. He has been involved in almost every aspect of game development, from design to production to quality assurance and box design...
; Matteo Bittanti, an academic researcher; and Christopher Grant, a game journalist. 2 This list was also announced at the 2007 Game Developers Conference
Game Developers Conference
The Game Developers Conference is the largest annual gathering of professional video game developers, focusing on learning, inspiration, and networking...
.
Sensible World of Soccer 1995/96 received review scores of 96% from both Amiga Power
Amiga Power
Amiga Power was a monthly magazine about Amiga computer games. It was published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and ran for 65 issues, from May 1991 to September 1996....
and Amiga Format
Amiga Format
Amiga Format was a British computer magazine for Amiga computers, published by Future Publishing. The magazine lasted 136 issues from 1989 to 2000. The magazine was formed when, in the wake of selling ACE to EMAP, Future split the dual-format title ST/Amiga Format into two separate publications...
, the joint highest mark given for any game by either magazine.
Sensible World of Soccer (1994) received recognition as one of the Ten Most Important Video Games of All Time by the History of Science and Technology Collections at Stanford University.
- The game was almost published by Virgin Games, but they insisted on it being called Virgin Soccer.
Games in the series
| Title | Year of release | Platform(s) | Notes (All versions developed by Sensible Software except as stated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensible Soccer | 1992 | Amiga Amiga The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities... , Amiga CD32 Amiga CD32 The Amiga CD32, styled "CD32" , was the first 32-bit CD-ROM based video game console released in western Europe, Australia, Canada and Brazil. It was first announced at the Science Museum in London, United Kingdom on 16 July 1993, and was released in September of the same year... , DOS DOS DOS, short for "Disk Operating System", is an acronym for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98, and Millennium Edition.Related... , Atari ST Atari ST The Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals... , SNES Super Nintendo Entertainment System The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short... , Game Boy Game Boy The , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on... , Mega Drive, Atari Jaguar Atari Jaguar The Atari Jaguar is a video game console that was released by Atari Corporation in 1993. It was the last to be marketed under the Atari brand until the release of the Atari Flashback in 2004. It was designed to surpass the Mega Drive/Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and the Panasonic... , Mega-CD, Sega Game Gear Sega Game Gear The was Sega's first handheld game console. It was the third commercially available color handheld console, after the Atari Lynx and the TurboExpress.... , Sega Master System Sega Master System The is a third-generation video game console that was manufactured and released by Sega in 1985 in Japan , 1986 in North America and 1987 in Europe.... , Acorn Archimedes Acorn Archimedes The Acorn Archimedes was Acorn Computers Ltd's first general purpose home computer to be based on their own ARM architecture.Using a RISC design with a 32-bit CPU, at its launch in June 1987, the Archimedes was stated as running at 4 MIPS, with a claim of 18 MIPS during tests.The name is commonly... |
The "standard name" for games in the series. The console and Acorn versions are based on the Sensible Soccer 92/93 version, but are simply named "Sensible Soccer" (DOS version converted by Wave Software, Game Gear version developed by Eurocom Eurocom Eurocom is a British video game developer founded specifically to develop games for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Since then Eurocom has expanded to several other platforms including handheld game systems and most major video game consoles.The company was once famous for its arcade to console... ). |
| Sensible Soccer 92/93 | 1992 | Amiga, Atari ST | Slightly improved version of Sensible Soccer, including red and yellow cards |
| Sensible Soccer International Edition | 1993 | Amiga, Amiga CD32 Amiga CD32 The Amiga CD32, styled "CD32" , was the first 32-bit CD-ROM based video game console released in western Europe, Australia, Canada and Brazil. It was first announced at the Science Museum in London, United Kingdom on 16 July 1993, and was released in September of the same year... , Atari ST, Mega Drive, Atari Jaguar |
Slightly improved version, including slight gameplay adjustments, World Cup tournament and on-screen referees. Atari Jaguar version by Glenn Williams for Renegade Software |
| Sensible World of Soccer | 1994 | Amiga, DOS | Features a title song "Goal Scoring Superstar Hero" composed by Richard Joseph Richard Joseph Richard Joseph was a British computer game composer, musician and sound specialist. He had a career spanning some 20 years starting in the early days of gaming on the C64 and the Amiga and onto succeeding formats through to the present day.After being diagnosed with lung cancer, he died on 4 March... and Jon Hare Jon Hare Jon "Jops" Hare is a British computer game designer, game artist and musician. He is one of the two founder members and directors, with Chris Yates, of Sensible Software, one of the most successful European games development companies of the late 1980s and 1990s.Hare was co-designer and artist of... . The original Swos contained a few bugs, which led to complaints. A free update disk to rectify these bugs was released in April 1995 (DOS version converted by Wave Software). |
| Sensible World of Soccer 95–96 | 1995 | Amiga, DOS | Improved version of SWOS. Chris Chapman, the lead programmer said that this was the version they originally wanted to create (DOS version converted by Wave Software). |
| Sensible World Of Soccer European Championship Edition | 1995 | Amiga, DOS, | Slightly Improved version of SWOS (DOS version converted by Wave Software). |
| Sensible World Of Soccer 96–97 | 1996 | Amiga, DOS | Team update (DOS version converted by Wave Software). |
| Sensible World Of Soccer 97–98 | 1997 | Amiga | Unofficial update for Sensible World of Soccer 96/97 (Amiga) created by Gideon and Dom Cresswell and various others. |
| Sensible World Of Soccer 97–98 World Cup Edition' | 1998 | Amiga | Another unofficial update for Sensible World of Soccer 96/97 (Amiga) created by Gideon and Dom Cresswell and various others. Released exclusively on the CU Amiga Cover CD in July 1998. It had the 32 updated World Cup teams + World Cup related graphics. |
| Sensible Soccer 98 | 1998 | DOS, Windows Microsoft Windows Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal... |
3D version, much maligned because it bore little relation to the original game. Originally supposed to be called Sensible Soccer 2000, and reviewed by one magazine under that name. |
| Sensible Soccer 98 European Club Edition | 1999 | PlayStation PlayStation The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000... , Windows |
Tweaked update version (PlayStation version converted by Krisalis Software). |
| Sensible Soccer Mobile | 2005 | Java Java (programming language) Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities... |
Developed by Tower Studios for Kuju Wireless (now acquired by Finesse Mobile) 1 |
| Sensible Soccer 2006 | 2006 | Windows, PS2 PlayStation 2 The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan... , Xbox Xbox The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console... |
First original game released in seven years (developed by Kuju Sheffield with Jon Hare) 1. |
| Sensible Soccer Skillz http://www.gamemobile.co.uk/sensiblesoccerskillz.htm | 2006 | Java | Developed by Cobra Mobile 1 |
| Sensible World of Soccer | 2007 | Xbox Live Arcade Xbox Live Arcade Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers... , Windows Vista Windows Vista Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs... |
A remake of the game 96/97 version for Xbox Live Arcade Xbox Live Arcade Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers... and Windows Vista Windows Vista Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs... (cancelled), developed by Kuju Sheffield. Added features include online multiplayer, a zoom function and leaderboards. |
Cheats
Sensible World of Soccer 94 (Amiga Edition) includes money cheat which works on "Career Mode".- In the main menu choose "Career Mode"
- Press "M" button.
- Go to "Transfers" tab
It appears that your budget rises up a million more. (More you hit "M", more you get a million)
See the source pictures as a reference
Coverdisk games
- At Christmas 1993, a free Sensible Software minigame was included on an Amiga FormatAmiga FormatAmiga Format was a British computer magazine for Amiga computers, published by Future Publishing. The magazine lasted 136 issues from 1989 to 2000. The magazine was formed when, in the wake of selling ACE to EMAP, Future split the dual-format title ST/Amiga Format into two separate publications...
cover disk. Called Cannon Soccer, it was essentially two bonus levels of Cannon FodderCannon FodderCannon Fodder is a short series of war themed action video games developed by Sensible Software, initially released for the Commodore Amiga. Only two games in the series were released, but were converted to most active systems at the time of release...
(one of Sensible SoftwareSensible SoftwareSensible Software was a software house active during the 1980s and 90s, from the United Kingdom.The company was well-known for the very small sprites used for the player characters in many of their games, including Sensible Soccer, Cannon Fodder and Sensible Golf.- Early history :Sensible Software...
's other titles) in which the soldiers fought hordes of Sensible Soccer players in a snowy landscape. - On the Amiga PowerAmiga PowerAmiga Power was a monthly magazine about Amiga computer games. It was published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and ran for 65 issues, from May 1991 to September 1996....
Coverdisk 21 one of the demos was Sensible Soccer: England vs Germany, also known as Sensible Soccer Meets Bulldog Blighty. This featured a mode of play that involved replacing players with soldiers from Cannon Fodder, and the ball with a hand grenade. The grenade would randomly begin to flash eventually exploding, killing any nearby players. - Sensible World of Moon Soccer a free covermountCovermountCovermount is the name given to storage media or other products packaged as part of a magazine or newspaper...
disk included with an issue of Amiga Action magazine in the UK. Play as Moon United, featured low gravity, a cratered pitch and hordes of alien players to trade. - The developers released a humorous spin-off called unSensible Soccer which consisted of apples vs. oranges instead of men. It was released as a free covermountCovermountCovermount is the name given to storage media or other products packaged as part of a magazine or newspaper...
disk with Amiga Action in March 1993.
External links
- Sensible Soccer 2006 on Codemasters.com
- Sensible Soccer at EurocomEurocomEurocom is a British video game developer founded specifically to develop games for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Since then Eurocom has expanded to several other platforms including handheld game systems and most major video game consoles.The company was once famous for its arcade to console...