EA's Absurdly Cool "Masters Historic Edition"

Electronic Arts announced a special edition of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 and for those of us fascinated by Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones' original Augusta National design, the attention to detail looks amazing.

For Immediate Release:

Electronic Arts Inc., announced today that fans will be able to step back in time with Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14: The Masters Historic Edition. For the first time ever, users will experience Augusta National Golf Club as it was when the course played host to the very first Masters Tournament - what was known in 1934 as the Inaugural Augusta National Invitation Tournament.

The development of this exclusive feature was researched with meticulous detail in an effort to re-create the original 1931 design of world-renowned golf course architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie and legendary golfer Bobby Jones.

"From the very beginning, our relationship with the Masters Tournament has been built around our ability to bring a unique and authentic experience to a new and younger demographic of potential golfers," Mike Taramykin, Vice President of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR said. "From unprecedented access to the Augusta National archives, to in-depth discussions with golf historians - and even our own internal research into the sport in the 1930s - The Masters Historic Edition is the next step in bringing gamers an exciting and distinctive glimpse into the game of golf."

Game play will place players in a 1934 environment, which takes into account everything from the clothing to the equipment. On the golf course, users will discover a new way to enjoy the timeless layout, and as it would have played when the first Tournament field competed in the Club's inaugural invitational. This includes everything from the golf course's nines being reversed to its original green contours and speeds.

In addition to this unique feature, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14: The Masters Historic Edition will also include:

    •    A complete copy of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14
    •    A walk through of the original 1934 layout of Augusta National
    •    The present-day Augusta National Golf Club course
    •    Augusta National's world-class Tournament Practice Facility
    •    Augusta National's Par 3 course
    •    Green Jacket ceremony
    •    Augusta, the Song, as heard during the Masters Tournament television broadcast

In total, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14: The Masters Historic Edition will include all 20 courses available in the standard edition and the four additional championship courses: Royal County Down, Royal Melbourne, Sheshan and TPC Blue Monster at Doral.

The preview video:

Comments

[Hawkeye]

Wow. Loved the look of the original 10th green area, and the 18th looked far more intresting than it does today!

[BruceH72]

I might be tempted to get back intoi TW after more than 5 revisions for this.

[Elf]

In keeping with historic accuracy, tiger will not be refused entry when he turns up to play

(seriously this is cool, if only it could happen in real life)

[Jim S]

It looks pretty well done, too. The game itself is out of date in terms of graphics and gameplay, but this might be one of the best ways to introduce the differences in golf architecture in a significant way to a broad audience.

[Joel]

I also like the look more than today's version. What hole is that with the strip bunkers going into the hill behind the green?

[mark]

I wonder if ANGC has the plans of the other course they were going to build when they first started, it would be fun to play that course in its original form and in a new modern form.

[otey]

Very cool.

[Mark B]

Joel: 13?

[Hawkeye]

Yes, it is the 13th. I didn't see the old 16th, though. The rock formation behind the 12th would be really cool to reinstate - imagine balls fooled by the wind caroming off that and back into the creek!

[Rob]

Great images of the original course - too bad about all the modern "renovations"

[Double Secret Probation]

Hawkeye,

I believe the original 16th is the one at the 31 second mark.

[Mark B]

@Hawkeye, could that be 16 at the 30 sec mark?

Here's an odd question: do we have to play it in that "ol timey" color or is there a "regular" option?

Lastly, Bobby Jones' driver, although apparently wood, looks like a 460cc job. 425cc at least.

[DT]

Hawkeye:

16 was in the video, it looks way different; creek instead of a pond, plus the green was on the other side of the creek then.

Also, the rock is still there on 12, it has Asiatic Jasmine growing over it. Sometimes the rock throws it, sometimes the jasmine swallows it, never know what you're gonna get!

[Charlie]

as cool as this seems playing a retro Augusta, this is the type of stuff EA churns out every year. This will be cool for about 20 minutes. If gameplay isn't reworked and improved, changes to the overall feel or play of a pga season, etc this game will just be same old same old except for that first half hour playing as a past great.

EA will throw in a handful of free courses and make you pay for additional ones even though you just bought them in the prior '13 version. They still go without playoffs when finishing T1 in a tournament. As with every EA game, they'll throw in a extra perk like legends and ignore what could really make the game great. Improved graphics alone could make a golf game much more enjoyable as right now this game is lacking compared to other titles.

[Kevin]

Playoffs for a tie worked in the TW 11 and 12 versions on the Wii.

In addition to the old Master's course you get Royal County Down?!? Come on, greatest course on earth and no one is psyched?

[Monty]

Canadian Open course gets no love as usual. Oldest tournament on tour, killed by poor scheduling.

[Hawkeye]

Yep, you're right, there it is. I was looking for the look from the tee, but the green will do. Looks awfully reminiscent of the green complex on Muirfield Village's 14th - could that be where Jack got the idea of a pitch to a narrow, angled green with lots of back-to-front slope fronted by a creek?

[Ump]

this is an insanely cool idea because of their commitment to tradition

but you have to love the fact that members cannot break 90 on the modern course, thats justice fer ya

[OB]

Just in looking at old photos in Geoff and David Owen's books, the accuracy of the details looks amazing.

Safe to say this would not have happened in the Hootie era?

[BenSeattle]

Um... since when does Bobby Jones wear a golf glove.... especially when putting?

Video games.... really? I'd rather go practice putting for 30 minutes in 40 degree weather than sit in a front of a TV with a game console in my hands. But that's just me.

[Geoff]

Ben,
That's just a shading thing, when he acknowledges the crowd he's not wearing a glove.

[Wilk5280]

That's why you're here reading about it then, right Ben Seattle?

[DT]

Ump says: "but you have to love the fact that members cannot break 90 on the modern course, thats justice fer ya"

I Don't get it Ump, tell me more about this "fact" please?!?

[Pepperdine]

@Ben -

Usually I love your schlock sir - but I'm forced to correct you this time; the "console" usually sits near the TV. The controller sits in your hand and controls the console. Give a game a try sometime (something like Sid Meier's "Pirates" might float your boat) ... you may be surprised.

@Charlie -

Couldn't agree more with everything you said. I'm pumped to see the courses, but if mechanics and structure have remained the same ... it gets insanely boring, very quickly.

[El Chivo]

When the F_ _ _ are they actually going to implement their so-called mo-cap and it not look like a generic as hell swing that looks like it got loaded from one of EAs sorry programmers!!??!!?! Thats when I'll return to this franchise.

Can't believe more people havent complained about this yet?!?!?!?

[tlavin]

It takes next to nothing to start my internal Augusta clock. This trifle worked.

[Pepperdine]

@Chivo -

Totalmente concuerdo al Jefe