What made FIFA 12 such a standout title—both on the big screen and the small one—were the three revolutionary changes made to the core gameplay loop. For the first time, the series introduced the , a physics-based mechanism that calculated player collisions in real-time based on momentum, velocity, and body weight. Previously, animations for tackles and bumps were pre-baked, but the Impact Engine made every clatter, shoulder-to-shoulder battle, and sliding tackle feel unique and realistic.