Key Takeaways
Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark
- The PS2, PSP, and PS3 game series SOCOM had a significant impact on Manchester Uniteds team cohesion during Alex Fergusons tenure, according to Wayne Rooney.
- Players like Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, John OShea, and Wes Brown frequently played SOCOM on their PSPs during travel, using the game to strategize and plan tactics that mirrored their on-field strategies.
- Each players gameplay style reflected their real-life roles within the team, with Carrick staying quiet and listening out for grenades while Rooney charged ahead leading the pack.
- While the games fostered camaraderie among many players, not every team member enjoyed the constant shouting during SOCOM matches on the team bus, as exemplified by Edwin van der Sars displeasure.
Manchester United’s Virtual Bonding: The Influence of SOCOM on Ferguson’s Squad
The SOCOM PlayStation series, which ran from 2002 to 2011 across PS2, PSP, and PS3, was a significant part of Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United team, according to striker Wayne Rooney. In a recent episode of his BBC podcast, Rooney revealed that he and his teammates frequently played SOCOM on their PSPs, even during travel on planes and buses. He shared that these 5v5 matches, often involving him, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, John O’Shea, and Wes Brown, were “huge” for team cohesion. Rooney explained that the game mirrored their on-field strategies, as players would revive each other’s characters, plan tactics, and strategize. He noted that the gameplay styles also reflected their real-life roles: “Carrick would stay quiet and listen out for grenades while I’d be charging ahead, leading the pack.” However, not every team member appreciated the virtual battles. Legendary goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, for instance, wasn’t too thrilled by the constant shouting during SOCOM matches on the team bus.
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Official Name | SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs |
| Brief Summary | Lead a five-person squad on a mission to neutralize those responsible for the elimination of a NATO Special Forces team in this continuation of Sony's squad-based shooter series. Fourteen single-player missions are part of a six-day battle in Southeast Asia, with an enemy AI designed to follow authentic squad tactics in response to your decisions on the battlefield. Issue orders to your fellow soldiers with a context-based command system, while calling for the support of UAV surveillance drones and aerial strikes when needed.
Utilize cover to protect your squad from attacks as you attempt to take out the enemy's defensive positions with explosive devices and heavy munitions. As you progress, you'll be able to expand your offensive arsenal by collecting the weapons from fallen foes. In addition to the single-player campaign, SOCOM 4 also includes competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes. Both the PlayStation Move and traditional Dual Shock controllers are supported as well. |
| Platforms | PlayStation 3 |
| Released | April 19, 2011 |
| Genre | Shooter, Tactical |
| Play Modes | Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative |
| Content Rating | 16 |
| Languages | Japanese |
| Genre | Zipper Interactive |
| Genre | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Ratings | 73/100 (5 reviews) |
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