Platinum-Selling* Franchise Authentically Replicates Emotion and
Intensity of Playoff Hockey
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 14, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that EA SPORTS(TM)
has innovated a new, physical brand of hockey that includes first-person
fighting in NHL(R) 10 to match the toughness and emotional
intensity real-world NHL players endure in pursuit of a Stanley Cup(TM)
Championship.
The franchise that has won 19 sports game of the year awards over the
past two years begins a new era with gameplay innovations that deliver a
new standard of toughness, the emotion of playoff hockey on the ice and
in the arena, and over 200 gameplay refinements that replicate the skill
and finesse that every fan sees throughout the NHL playoffs.
A new first-person fighting engine enables players to trade punches with
an NHL tough guy. Feel what it's like to be on the ice in the skates of
an NHL player to throw and dodge punches. Grab and tug an opponent's
jersey to land a punch that ignites the fans and sparks your team to
victory. Challenge a skill player and an opposing team tough guy will
step in to settle the score.
On ice toughness and intimidation is taken to a new level in NHL 10
where winning one-on-one battles for possession of the puck along the
boards becomes a test of will and skill. Utilizing an all-new board
physics engine, players can use their body to shield the puck on the
boards and then kick-pass it to teammates. Bigger, stronger players pin
opponents to the boards while fanatical fans bang on the glass, just
like real life. Fore-check defenders, pressure the puck and finish
checks to intimidate your opponent into mistakes. Players fatigue,
bobble passes, and avoid collisions under threat of constant physical
pressure. Inspire teammates, ignite the fans and change the momentum of
a game by instigating scrums, drawing penalties, and mixing it up -- all
after the referee blows the whistle!
"This is the most authentic simulation of hockey we have ever created,"
said Producer David Littman, a former NHL and minor league goaltender
now in his eighth year working on the NHL franchise. "The Stanley Cup is
the most difficult trophy in all of sports to win and NHL 10
replicates the emotion, intensity and toughness players require to win
the Cup."
NHL 10 features more than 200 gameplay refinements that replicate
the skill and finesse of hockey and deliver the most responsive and
authentic action ever for the series. Players can one-time loose pucks,
score from their knees, knock pucks out of the air and lift a leg to
fake a shot on goal. A new 360° precision passing mechanic delivers
control over the speed and direction of passes so players can bank
passes off the boards or play the puck into space for teammates to skate
on to it. Plus, all-new interactive crowds bring the emotion of playoff
hockey to life with towel-waving fans, glass bangers and crowds that
react to the action on the ice.
Prove you are tough enough to quiet the crowd, silence the opposition
and survive a playoff run to lift the Stanley Cup in NHL 10.
Screenshots of the NHL 10 are available at http://info.ea.com.
NHL 10 will be available in stores this September for the
PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360(R) video game and
entertainment system with an MSRP of $59.99. It is developed under the
EA SPORTS brand by EA Canada in Burnaby, B.C. The game has not been
rated.
EA SPORTS(TM) is the leading interactive sports software brand in the
world, with top-selling titles and franchises including Madden NFL
football, FIFA Soccer, NHL(R) hockey, NBA
LIVE basketball, NCAA(R) Football, and Tiger
Woods PGA TOUR(R).
*Based on total sales in 2008 according to the NPD.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, a
leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in
1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive
software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless
devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under
four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS
Freestyle TM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted
GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 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.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle and POGO are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.
NHL is a registered trademark of the National Hockey League. John
Madden, NFL, FIFA, NBA, NCAA, and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR are trademarks of
their respective owners and used with permission. Xbox and Xbox 360 are
registered trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. "PLAYSTATION"
is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
NHL, the NHL Shield and the image of the Stanley Cup are registered
trademarks and the word mark Stanley Cup is a trademark of the National
Hockey League.All Rights Reserved.
NHL 10 is an Officially Licensed Product of the NHLPA. NHLPA,
National Hockey League Players' Association and the NHLPA logo are
trademarks of the NHLPA. © NHLPA.
SOURCE: Electronic Arts Inc.
Electronic Arts Inc.
Steve Frost, 604-456-5067
Sr. Publicist
sfrost@ea.com
or
Jen Riley, 604-456-5081
PR Manager
jriley@ea.com
or
David Tinson, 650-628-5189
Sr. Director, Communications
dtinson@ea.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009