Franchise Continues to Raise the Bar With Gameplay Innovation, Authenticity to the Sport and an Unsurpassed Level of Depth
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 11, 2007--Electronic
Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) announced that the NHL® 08 videogame ships
to retailers today in North America. EA SPORTS™ continues to lead
the charge in the next gen era with advancements in AI intelligence,
innovative controls, online depth and an unmatched level of
authenticity to the sport. Already receiving critical acclaim as a
Gold Award winner by Electronic Gaming Monthly, NHL 08 allows players
to feel like they can play like a pro without ever touching the ice.
The revolutionary Skill Stick System evolves in NHL 08 and
delivers an unparalleled level of control. An all-new deking system
enables you to move the puck off your stick, to walk around a defender
and give you space in front to challenge the goalie. For all the
goaltenders out there, an all-new Goalie Mode feature lets you strap
on the pads and be the last line of defense in net for the first time.
Showcasing true next-gen horsepower, an all-new intelligent CPU
called On-The-Fly AI functionally coaches against you to counter your
tendencies, and forces you to adjust your strategy. With
Create-a-Play, you can hit the whiteboard and showcase your own
strategic wisdom by customizing plays, recording them in practice mode
and bringing them into game to outsmart your opponent. Innovative new
online features such as Online Custom Leagues and Online Team Play
that links up to six players anywhere in the world, gives you a new
level of online depth.
NHL 08 will feature an exclusive AHL license for the first time,
with all 29 teams from the primary development league for the NHL
fully playable in game. Develop your talent with their AHL affiliate
until you are ready to call them up for the show. Manage your team
from the ground up while staying under the salary cap. With unlimited
control, unmatched depth and infinite possibilities, no game is ever
the same with NHL 08.
In Europe the game will hit stores beginning September 21 for the
Xbox 360 and PC, with the PS3 version following on September 28 and
the PS2 version on October 10.
EA SPORTS NHL 07 is the #1 selling hockey game and the #1 selling
sports game in Canada*. NHL 08 is being developed under the EA SPORTS
brand by EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C. The game is available for the
PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2
computer entertainment system, Xbox 360™ video game system from
Microsoft, and PC. For more information, log onto www.nhl08.com. Media
can find screenshots and video of the game at http://info.ea.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City,
California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software
company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and
distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems,
personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic
Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™,
EA™, EA SPORTS BIG™ and POGO™. In fiscal 2007, EA posted
revenue of $3.09 billion and had 24 titles that sold more than one
million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More
information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be
found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
*Based on total sales in 2006 according to the NPD.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, and POGO are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other
countries. NHL and National Hockey League are registered trademarks of
the National Hockey League. Officially Licensed Product of the
National Hockey League. National Hockey League Players' Association
and NHLPA are trademarks of the NHLPA and are used under license by
Electronic Arts Inc. Officially licensed product of the NHLPA. AHL and
American Hockey League are registered trademarks of the American
Hockey League. Officially Licensed Product of the American Hockey
League and the Professional Hockey Players Association. "PlayStation"
and "PLAYSTATION" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, and Xbox 360 are trademarks or the
Microsoft group of companies. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners.
CONTACT: Electronic Arts Inc.
Jen Riley, 604-456-5081
Publicist
jriley@ea.com
David Tinson, 604-456-5167
Director, Public Relations
dtinson@ea.com
SOURCE: Electronic Arts Inc.