Ball Carrier Controls Juke left Shoulder charge Juke right Stiff arm Spin Turbo Dive Lateral Get On the Field... NOW! pg. 8 Create the Play of Your Dreams pg. 12 Move ball carrier Hurdle & showboat Go Deep with Online Play pg. 18 Defensive Controls (After the Snap) Swim Swim Player nearest ball Jump Dive tackle Turbo Dive for pass Rip Move player Get the strategy guide primagames.com® 0602 Part No. X08-82230 MICROSOFTMIZROSOFTMICROXOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMICROSOFTMIC SAFETY INFORMATION About Photosensitive Seizures A very small percentage of people may experience a seizure when exposed to certain visual images, including flashing lights or patterns that may appear in video games. Even people who have no history of seizures or epilepsy may have an undiagnosed condition that can cause these "photosensitive epileptic seizures" while watching video games. These seizures may have a variety of symptoms, including lightheadedness, altered vision, eye or face twitching, jerking or shaking of arms or legs, disorientation, confusion, or momentary loss of awareness. Seizures may also cause loss of consciousness or convulsions that can lead to injury from falling down or striking nearby objects. Immediately stop playing and consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Parents should watch for or ask their children about the above symptoms--children and teenagers are more likely than adults to experience these seizures. The risk of photosensitive epileptic seizures may be reduced by sitting farther from the television screen, using a smaller television screen, playing in a well-lit room, and not playing when you are drowsy or fatigued. If you or any of your relatives have a history of seizures or epilepsy, consult a doctor before playing. Other Important Health and Safety Information The Xbox Instruction Manual contains important health and safety information that you should read and understand before using this software. CONTENTS FEATURES Quick and Dirty >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Get in fast with a single game. 8 CONTENTS 9 SAFETY Brush Up Your Skills >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Run some drills before tackling a real game. Read up on play selection. Calling the Shots > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 1 0 Changes at the Line >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Change your plays on the fly. 1 1 1 2 1 6 24 28 30 Play Your Own Way Read the Signs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Create your own offensive plays. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Learn to read personnel and positioning cues. Build and Manage a Dynasty Looking the Part >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Control more than just the on-field action. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Customize your team's uniform and home stadium. Saving and Loading Files >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Avoid Damage to Your Television Do not use with certain televisions. Some televisions, especially front- or rear-projection types, can be damaged if any video games, including Xbox games, are played on them. Static images presented during the normal course of game play may "burn in" to the screen, causing a permanent shadow of the static image to appear at all times, even when video games are not being played. Similar damage may occur from static images created when placing a video game on hold or pause. Consult your television owner's manual to determine if video games can be played safely on your set. If you are unable to find this information in the owner's manual, contact your television dealer or the manufacturer to determine if video games can be played safely on your set. Unauthorized copying, reverse engineering, transmission, public performance, rental, pay for play, or circumvention of copy protection is strictly prohibited. Save, load, and transport games. SPECIAL SECTIONS Get Online ­ Go Really Deep Unsung Heroes >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Play online using the XboxTM Live service. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 1 8 23 Honor the off-the-field contributions of some truly dedicated athletes. DEPARTMENTS Controlling the Game > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 4 Offensive Controls > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 4 Defensive Controls > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 6 Credits > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 3 1 Warranty > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 32 Customer Support > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 33 1 IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER Last year, when the Microsoft NFL Fever franchise was traded from the PC to the Xbox, you heard all the hype--amazing graphics, incredible gameplay, can do everything but bake you a cake. And you said to yourself, "Nothing can be that great." Then you tried it. And it was. So this year, the talk has started again with NFL Fever 2003. But now you're thinking, "Bet it's not much different than last year." After all, lightning never strikes twice, right? Hope you're wearing your rubber boots. The team that brought you NFL Fever 2002, the best-selling football game on Xbox, hasn't been sitting around getting all fat and lazy during the offseason. They've been crankin' on the next in-your-face, blow-your-mind, so-realistic-it-gives-youthe-creeps version--NFL Fever 2003. With improved gameplay, better AI, online play, and increased customization options, it's all you've ever wanted and more. Just don't expect it to bake you a cake. -Ed. TAKE THE FIRST STEP Let's begin at the beginning. That would be the Main Menu, naturally. This is where you take your first step along the path to football immortality. But which fork in the road will you take? Here's a roadmap for you: Main Menu Options Practice Learn basic game controls, and work on your play execution. MAIN MENU INTRO Single Game Pick two available teams, and then go head-tohead in just one game. Build a long-term dynasty, or take the sevengame Classic Challenge against some of history's greatest teams. Play against a real, live opponent using the XboxTM Live service, or use System Link to connect two Xbox consoles. Make trades and substitutions, create or edit players, create custom uniforms, and more. Access your saved games, players, replays, and seasons. Create your own plays, and create and modify your personal settings, such as audibles, hot routes, favorite plays, and controller settings. Adjust gameplay settings, such as rules, sound, and display. Season Network Play General Manager Load or Delete Files User Profile Options 2 3 CONTROLLING THE GAME OFFENSIVE CONTROLS Before the Snap >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ball Carrier >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Turbo Spin Shoulder charge Stiff arm Dive Lateral Move ball carrier Juke left/right Hurdle Showboat Snap ball Fake snap Send man in motion (if available) View play, zoom back Call audible Select hot route >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Left Thumbstick >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> > Left/Right Trigger Right Thumbstick (up) Quarterback / Passing >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pass to receiver A Pass to receiver B Pass to receiver X Pass to receiver Y Pass to receiver Black Throw ball away Move QB Toggle QB between run/pass mode Pump fake Right Thumbstick (left/right/down) Ball Carrier Controls Juke left Shoulder charge Juke right Left Thumbstick >>>>>>> > CONTROLS Right Thumbstick (click) > Left/Right Trigger >>>>> User-Controlled Receiver (after ball is in air) >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Stiff arm Spin Turbo Dive Lateral CONTROLS Switch to receiver Jump for ball Dive for ball Move ball carrier Hurdle & showboat 4 5 DEFENSIVE CONTROLS Before the Snap + Left Thumbstick > Defensive Controls (After the Snap) Swim Swim Player nearest ball Jump Dive tackle Turbo Dive for pass Rip Shift defensive line Cycle through players Display play diagram Call audible Change receiver coverage style Cycle through players >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Left/Right Trigger >>> KICKING CONTROLS Punting / Kickoff Returns (Ball Carrier) >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Move player Call fair catch Kneel in end zone CALLING PLAYS Offense or Defense >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Kickoffs / Placekicks / Punts (Kicker) >>>>>>>>>>>> Select formation or play Go back one level Flip play horizontally (offense only) Display key Highlight formation or play Set direction & strength of kick Set height of kick Left Thumbstick >>> Kicking Meter When kicking, the arrow determines the strength and direction of your kick. Press the A button once to stop the arrow and set the direction for the kick. Then, when the arrow fills with red, press the A button again to set the strength of the kick. 6 Left Thumbstick >>>>> >> CONTROLS CONTROLS Right Trigger (hold) Hide the highlight (multiplayer only) Left Trigger (hold) > > > Keep playpicker on screen (multiplayer only) COACH SAYS When controlling the offense, you can have a play executed for you. Just snap the ball, sit back, and watch the action unfold. 7 QUICK AND DIRTY So, you say you just came to play? Then you want the Single Game mode ­ your best bet for getting on the field fast. To start a single game BRUSH UP YOUR SKILLS Not ready for the big time just yet? Not a problem. The solution to your dilemma lies within the Practice mode. In the Training Camp, you can run your thumbs through a number of button-mashing drills, such as running, passing, kicking, and tackling--all without actually calling plays or playing a real game. If you're in need of some serious schooling, sit back and enjoy the Chalk Talks of your choice ­ from Inside the Offensive Playbook to Changing Plays on the Fly. Open Practice lets you run your offense or defense without the pressure of a real game. Here you can check out all the different plays and figure out which ones work best for you while complementing your team's skills and assets. GAMEPLAY GAMEPLAY 1. From the Main Menu, select Single Game. 2. Move the Left Thumbstick left or right to set your controller to Away or Home. 3. Move the Left Thumbstick up or down to choose a user profile. 4. Pick your team and uniform. 5. Pick game options. 6. Press the A button to start the game. ASK COACH Yo, Coach! My brother and I love to play against each other, but we always end up fighting. Mom says that if we don't cut it out, she's gonna take the game away from us. HELP! -Fighting in Philly Dear Fighting, Not to worry. There's a simple way to hang on to your game and keep dear ol' Mom happy at the same time--play together on the same team. You always control the QB, while your brother can press the X button to choose the receiver he wants to control. In fact, up to four players can play on the same team, so you can draft Mom and Dad, too. -Coach 8 9 CALLING THE SHOTS To ensure accuracy, the playbooks offered in this game were designed with the help of professional football players and coaches. And this year, you can try to fill their shoes by creating your own plays. Obviously, if you were looking for depth and realism, you've found it. CHANGES AT THE LINE You know the feeling. You've picked a play that you're sure will blow right past their weak defense. Then, you step up to the line, take a look around, and that rock starts to settle in your gut. The defense is lined up so perfectly, it's like your opponent has read your mind and your playbook. But you're not beaten yet. When the quarterback is set, press the Black button to display the available audibles. Then, press the button that corresponds to the audible you want to call. GAMEPLAY GAMEPLAY Offensive-Play Key Player in motion Ball carrier's route Primary receiver's route Other receivers' routes Fake handoff COACH SAYS To maximize the remaining time when on offense late in a game, press and hold the A button to repeat the last play. After a play, press the White button to skip the post-play scenes and bring up the playpicker. If you've chosen a pass play, you can change a receiver's route by using a hot route. To use a hot route 1. When the QB is set, press the White button to display the hot route controls. 2. Press the appropriate button to choose the receiver whose route you want to change. 3. Use the Left Thumbstick to select a new pass route. 4. Press the receiver's button one more time to accept the change and return to the game. Or press the Back button to cancel the audible. Keep in mind that the play clock continues to run while you are choosing a hot route or an audible. 11 T Blocker's assignment Defensive-Play Key ...