This FAQ is maintained by Crispin Boylan and is posted to the newsgroup alt.games.sensi-soccer at regular intervals, if you have any information that is missing, or any corrections, then feel free to mail me
Questions
2.0 What is Sensible World of Soccer (SWOS)
3.0 Who made Sensible Soccer and SWOS?
4.0 What are the different versions of Sensible Soccer?
- 4.11 Amiga
- 4.12 PC
- 4.13 Atari ST
4.2 Sensible Soccer 1.1 / Sensible Soccer 92/93 season
- 4.21 Amiga
- 4.22 PC
- 4.23 Atari ST
- 4.31 SEGA Megadrive
- 4.32 Gameboy
- 4.33 SNES
- 4.34 Amiga CD32
- 4.35 SEGA Master System
4.4 International Sensible Soccer
- 4.41 Amiga
- 4.42 PC
- 4.43 Atari Jaguar
- 4.44 SEGA Megadrive
5.0 What are the different versions of SWOS?
- 5.11 Amiga
5.2 Sensible World Of Soccer 95/96
- 5.21 Amiga
- 5.22 PC
5.3 Sensible World Of Soccer 96/97
- 5.31 Amiga
- 5.32 PC
5.4 Sensible World Of Soccer European Cup Edition
- 5.41 Amiga
- 5.42 PC
6.0 What are the different versions of Sensible Soccer 98?
- 6.11 PC
- 6.11 Sony Playstation
6.2 Sensible Soccer 98 European Club Edition
- 6.21 PC
7.0 - What compilations have the various games been on?
8.0 - Who re-released the games?
9.0 - Where can I get SWOS or Sensible Soccer?
The Answers:
Sensible Soccer is, according to most fans, the most addictive and playable soccer game ever invented for a computer. The series started in 1992 and finished in 1994, being resurrected for the 1998 versions below.
2.0 What is Sensible World Of Soccer (SWOS)?
SWOS is probably the best ever Soccer game, it includes limited management options wich make the game even more playable and the 2 player games are considered the finest in any soccer game.
3.0 Who made Sensible Soccer and SWOS?
Sensible Software, a small company owned by Jon Hare. They have also made other hits such as Cannon Fodder 1 and 2, Megalomania and Wizkid. In 1998 they laid off all of their staff due to financial difficulties experienced due to the low sales of Sensible Soccer 98 and the failure of an expensive project, 'Sex, Drugs and Rock N Roll' which all major publishers failed to show interest in due to its risque content. What will happen of Sensi now no-one is sure, but Jon Hare hopes to be back producing games soon, and fans will await SWOS 2000, the management version of SS98, which it is rumoured they were working on at the time of the lay off.
4.0 What are the different versions of SWOS and Sensible Soccer?
- 4.11 - Amiga
The original version of the game, coded by Sensible Software. Unfortunately this version had a number of errors and omissions, lack of red and yellow cards and a couple of bugs, and it was not long before it was patched up and released as version 1.1, which you can see below. Released Spring 1992.
- 4.12 - PC
This version was converted for use on the PC by Renegade Software, who also published it. Other than that it is the same as the original Amiga version, although some think that a lot of the feel was lost in the conversion. Released in Summer 1992.
- 4.13 - Atari ST
Again, this was almost the same as the Amiga version, although I think it was slower due to the reduced capabilities of the Atari machine. More info on this section would be appreciated.
4.2 Sensible Soccer 1.1 / Sensible Soccer 92/93 Season
- 4.21 - Amiga
Really a bug fix, with a few more options added and the team data patched to the 92/93 season. Included red and yellow cards. Came with a selection of teams from across Europe as well as national teams, and custom teams.
- 4.22 - PC
As Amiga version, but again coded by Renegade for the PC.
- 4.23 - Atari ST
See Amiga version.
- 4.31 SEGA Megadrive
This was directly programmed for the Megadrive by Sensible Software, instead of being published by Renegade, they licensed it to Sony Imagesoft who published it instead. Featured some enhancements over the graphics of the original PC, Amiga and ST versions, included a little 'Goalll!' message when you scored, and other such things. Stays pretty close to the Amiga version as both machines have the same CPU, and is definitely more playable than the PC version.
- 4.32 Gameboy
Probably the most inappropriate system for a fast moving soccer game, this was converted by Sony Imagesoft and was a very cut down version of the game. Probably the most interesting thing is that it didn't include the real names of any of the players, which is strange because the original versions did. Horrible graphics and very slow gameplay meant that the feel of Sensi was almost gone. Headers were improved by Sony but it didn't make up for what was essentially a cash in for people who owned Amigas and wanted to play Sensi on the road.
- 4.33 SNES
No info - can anyone help?
- 4.34 Amiga CD32
No info - can anyone help?
- 4.35 SEGA Master System
Another bad version of the game, again converted to the Master System by Sony Imagesoft. The weak 8-bit CPU of the MS meant slow play and a complete lack of feel from the original versions. In my opinion it plays a lot more like Kick Off than Sensible Soccer. Released late in the MS's life and consquently had limited success.
4.4 International Sensible Soccer
- 4.41 Amiga
Really v1.2 of Sensible Soccer, this was another update in time for the 1994 World Cup. Again, not many differences to be found, about the only two were the addition of a referee who appeared only when you got a card, and a slight enlargement of the graphics. Also included all teams who played in USA '94, as well as some of the ones that didn't (like England). Again it was published by Renegade.
- 4.42 PC
See Amiga version. One point of note is that this was the first version of Sensible Soccer to be released on PC CD-ROM as well as 3.5" disk, the only change being the quality of the sound samples.
- 4.43 Atari Jaguar
Released for the failed System by the Jaguar support group / computer games specialist Telegames included the same options as the Amiga version, with probably enhanced graphics and sound for the 64-bit console. Anyone got more info?
- 4.44 SEGA Megadrive
Programmed directly by Sensible Software, and published by Sony Imagesoft, this was a supposedly 'Limited Edition' version of the game, although I'm not sure how limited it actually was. Includes the 1994 World Cup, all player names are real as well, and data editing is allowed as the game has a battery back-up facility. There is a cheat mode whereby you can access a special mode of play, sort of like on the moon!
5.0 What are the different versions of SWOS?
- 5.11 Amiga
The original Amiga version included info from the 94/95 season. Released late in '94 it was hailed as the best game on the Amiga ever. With a transfer option, careers and lots more besides, this really gave the series a much needed kick up the backside and everyone focused on it again. Released by Renegade.
5.2 Sensible World Of Soccer 95/96
- 5.21 Amiga
A simple team data update, and with Rengade having gone under this version was now taken care of by Time Warner interactive. A few minor gameplay enhancements but nothing major.
- 5.22 PC
SWOS 95/96 marked the first release of the game onto the PC, available on 3.5" disk or CD with commentary by Jonathon Pearce of C5 and Capital Radio fame, this had a huge impact on the games market and got almost unanimously good reviews from every magazine.
5.3 Sensible World Of Soccer 96/97
- 5.31 Amiga
Another team update, again published by Time Warner Interactive. This version added the ability to have training ground knock-abouts to see who you could include in the final squad. There was nothing wrong with the game, but by now the press were becoming a little fed up with constant minor updates.
- 5.32 PC
This version is hailed as the best PC version, and also the closest to its Amiga counterpart, although the die hard Amiga fans still proclaim their version to be the best. Converted by Renegade who were now part of the Time Warner empire. Lack lustre magazine scores due to the release of the glamour boys FIFA96 and Actua Soccer blotted the copybook a bit, but some included PC Gamer and PC Zone managed to look beyond the graphics and give SWOS 96/97 well deserved accolades.
5.4 Sensible World Of Soccer European Cup Edition
- 5.41 Amiga
A Euro '96 tie-in game, this was produced mainly for the sake of some extra cash, it included a special European Cup mode, but not much was different from the 95/96 version that came before it. With no competition at the time it was a hit. Strangely enough this version was published by Virgin.
- 5.42 PC
Not as successful as it was on the Amiga due to the heavy competition from flashy games FIFA96 and Euro '96 it was not very popular, but still gained SWOS a few fans. Again published by Virgin.
6.0 What are the different versions of Sensible Soccer 98?
- 6.11 PC
Released early in 1998, this was due to become SWOS 2000 until new publishers GT Interactive forced Sensi to release it early in time for World Cup 98. Some good review scores, but a lot of fans were disappointed that it failed to include any management options, no real player names and some glitches with Win98, which to Sensi's credit were patched as soon as possible. Didn't win many fans, even the hardcore SWOS fans had to admit to being disappointed. The game itself marked an entry into the 3d world, with fantastic replays in full 3d, but keeping the overhead view that everyone loves.
- 6.11 Sony Playstation
By all accounts a terrible version of the game, released in late 1998. This was a conversion by Krisalis Software, a company famed for its abilities to work wonders with RISC chips but however not able to do anything for the Playstation version of the game. It was disappointing and canned by many Playstation mags.
6.2 Sensible Soccer 98 European Club Edition
- 6.21 PC
Published again by GT Interactive, this was released in September 1998 and salvaged some Sensi pride. Included the kind of selection of teams that fans had come to expect from the SWOS series, as well as much better gameplay. However, many fans who bought the original version were angered that this was released so shortly afterwards, this was increased by the fact that many shops started selling both games for a mere £20.
7.0 - What compilations have the various games been on?
- Award Winners Gold - Sensible Soccer 1.1 (1994)
- Mega 6 Compilation - SWOS European Championships Edition (1997)
8.0 - Who re-released the games?
- SWOS European Championships edition was re-released onto the Virgin White Label games.
- SWOS 96/97 was re-released onto GT Interactives Replay budget range.
9.0 - Where can I get SWOS or Sensible Soccer?
Its been almost four years since SWOS 96/97 was released, and it is no longer available from retail outlets, so try The Underdogs Website for a download of SWOS. If anyone knows of anywhere that sells swos then tell me and I will stop providing a link to a download and use a link to the place you can buy it from.
