Fans Will Shape EA SPORTS FIFA Online Content During Development
Process
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan 29, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) announced today development of a free*,
downloadable game called EA
SPORTS(TM) FIFA Online that will make its most popular and
highest rated^ videogame franchise available to soccer fans with a
broadband internet connection and an average spec laptop computer or
desk-top personal computer. The free-to-play EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer
videogame will call on soccer fans and gamers to help shape features
during closed beta testing prior to its English language European open
beta release in June 2010.
"Listening to and engaging soccer fans has been one of the driving
forces behind the success of our FIFA franchise and now we are inviting
European football fans--in mass numbers and earlier than we ever have
before--to help us develop a new soccer game," said Executive Producer
Kaz Makita. "Fans will determine the features that matter most, and at
the end of this process, our goal is to deliver a game for fans looking
for a quick soccer fix at home or at work."
"There are a large number of soccer fans who do not want a console
gaming experience due to time and other priorities in their personal
lives but they still want to be able to play a top-quality soccer
videogame," explained Makita. "FIFA Online will be designed specifically
for them."
Beginning February 3, soccer fans across Europe are invited to register
to participate in the closed beta development and testing of FIFA
Online by visiting http://fifa-online.easports.com.
More than 20,000 fans will be involved in the first phase of closed beta
testing and then, during open beta in June, hundreds of thousands of
fans will test the game, providing feedback directly to the game's
developers through exclusive discussion forums.
EA SPORTS FIFA Online will be released around the world in
stages. The English language version will be available to all soccer
fans in June, 2010. Over the next 12 to 24 months FIFA Online
will launch in other languages across Europe and then in North America.
Non-English speaking soccer fans will also be able to participate in the
development process of these games.
EA SPORTS FIFA Online will offer an authentic soccer experience
with 30 licensed leagues, 500 clubs and more than 15,000 players. During
the first closed beta stage beginning February 3, the game will feature
a 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa tournament mode and a control system
that uses the mouse only. At the second stage of closed beta, the game
will feature a League Mode that enables fans to manage and compete as
their favorite soccer club, and the ability to play online matches. FIFA
Online will enable soccer fans and gamers to build their favorite
club into their dream team by developing or acquiring players, upgrading
skills, and getting unique apparel by earning in-game currency to
acquire items or through micro-transactions. Additional content will be
designed for the game based on feedback by fans.
Register to play at http://fifa-online.easports.com.
EA SPORTS FIFA Online isdeveloped by EA Canada and EA
Singapore. The game is rated PEGI 3.
Screenshots can be downloaded at http://info.ea.com.
EA SPORTS(TM) is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the
world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive
technology, global videogame competitions and breakthrough digital
experiences. EA SPORTS delivers personal access to the emotion of sports
through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, including Madden
NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL(R) hockey, NBA LIVE
basketball, NCAA(R) Football and NCAA Basketball, Fight
Night boxing and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR(R) golf, while
EA SPORTS Active for the Wii is the most critically acclaimed
product available for interactive fitness.
For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs,
forums, fantasy leagues and game communities, please visit www.easports.com
to connect, share and compete.
* Internet connection required. See website for details
^ according to Metacritic.com
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is
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: EATM, EA SPORTSTM, EA MobileTM
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 Mobile, POGO and EA SPORTS Active are trademarks of
Electronic Arts Inc. Official FIFA licensed product "© The FIFA name
and OLP Logo are copyright or trademark protected by FIFA. All rights
reserved." Manufactured under license by Electronic Arts Inc. Player
names and likenesses used under license from FIFA, International
Federation of Professional Footballers "(FIFPro)" and national teams.
© The Official Emblem and Official Mascot of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
South Africa(TM) and the FIFA World Cup Trophy are copyrights and
trademarks of FIFA. All rights reserved.
John Madden, NFL, NHL, NBA, NCAA, Tiger Woods and PGA TOUR are
trademarks of their respective owners and used with permission
SOURCE: Electronic Arts Inc.
Electronic Arts Inc.
Steve Frost, 604-456-5067 (Sr. Publicist)
sfrost@ea.com
Jen Riley, 604-456-5081 (PR Director)
jriley@ea.com
David Tinson, 650-628-5189 (Sr. Director, Communications)
dtinson@ea.com
Copyright Business Wire 2010