Gaming News - August 2006

Redwood City, CA (August 4, 2006) - EA today announced FIFA 07.

From EA Sports:

With the 2006 FIFA World Cup over and the glamour of international soccer fading fast, players like Ronaldinho, Rooney and Kaka have now gone back to their day jobs of winning glory for their club in FIFA 07 from Electronic Arts. From the first whistle, FIFA 07 throws you into the rollercoaster ride of the soccer season as fans of the franchise live out the intense stadium atmosphere of every home and away match when it ships to stores in North America on October 3, 2006.

FIFA 07 delivers complete authenticity with licenses for all the world’s top leagues, including MLS and Mexican 1st Division in North America, and 26 others from over 20 nations. This year, you have the power to shape your club’s destiny in the EA SPORTS Interactive Leagues, a new online mode that enables you to pit your club against supporters of your real-world opponents. The online interactive leagues feature the F.A. Premier League, Bundesliga, French League and the Mexican 1st Division. Experience the future of online gaming as you play your games according to the real-world schedule. When they play, you play. Track your team’s progress as the aggregate results determine your club’s position in the league table. Now you actually take to the pitch for the glory of your club. This is the season where you make the difference!

“We are still innovating the gameplay in our current-gen game, and this year, the new online Interactive Leagues will bring together soccer fans from around the world and allow them to experience the glory and shame of their clubs, 24/7,” said Joe Booth, producer of FIFA 07.

Developed under the EA SPORTS brand, you can learn more about FIFA 07 through the official website at www.fifa07.ea.com that has been localized for 15 international markets. It includes an overview of the videogame’s features and will be updated with tutorial gameplay videos.

This year, new intelligent A.I. ensures that your 11 men on the pitch make realistic decisions, finding space and passing like professionals. A complete overhaul of the game engine now means that you have to employ real world tactics, make split-second decisions and think like a player in order to win matches. Watch as your players jostle and collide realistically while trying to win balls. Experience the realism of the world’s superstars, who come to life with signature moves and authentic playing styles and a more sophisticated shooting mechanic that gives you greater control to produce finesse shots. Plus you now have the ability to apply topspin or backspin to the ball for more creative set-pieces.

Take on the updated and improved challenge of the Manager Mode. Player values and wages have been tuned to be even more realistic. Managerial decisions have even more tangible effects on player performance and welfare. Smarter CPU decisions mean rival managers are even more strategic in their own pursuit of silverware. Experience the emotional highs & lows of your club 24hrs a day, seven days a week with new connectivity between a PlayStation®2 and a PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system that enables you to begin your managerial career on either console and continue your campaign anywhere.

FIFA 07 will be available for download via mobile phones through major mobile carriers and gamers will have the option of downloading either English or the Spanish language version of the game in North America. FIFA 07 on mobile offers gamers on-the-go a compelling gameplay experience that, for the first time, features100 fully licensed teams, stunning individual player graphics and TV-style presentation that brings you closer to the heart of the game with every replay.