FIFA-08
Latest
FIFA Interactive World Cup finalists to play in Berlin on May 24th
The fourth annual FIFA Interactive World Cup will soon be coming to an end after lasting an epic seven months. Over 25,000 players competed for a place in the final, but only thirty-two will go through to play each other at the Sony Center in Berlin on May 24th. The winner will then be crowned "FIFA Interactive World Player of the Year." Prestigious, indeed. Last year's defending champion, Andries Smit, will be competing against the other thirty-one finalists for a cash prize of $20,000 and an invitation to the FIFA World Player Gala 2008. If you're interested, a list of the finalists can be found after the break. If you took part in the competition and didn't make it to the final, then never mind. Perhaps now's a good time to start practicing for next year's FIFA Interactive World Cup. [Via Press Release]
Straps and stands: More preorder bonuses in Korea
Koreans really love free stuff! Then again, who doesn't? This latest round of preorder incentives rewards gamers who've reserved Wii Sports with branded towels and Wii Remote cell phone straps. Unlike in the states, Wiis will not come bundled with Wii Sports when the console launches in South Korea on April 26th. EA is also throwing in what looks like Brando's Crystal Cooler with every preorder for FIFA 08. The replacement base features a cooling fan and electric blue LEDs -- not too useful, but it's free, which automatically makes it a hundred times more awesome. Bring five bucks past the post break to get a look at the stand offer.
FIFA, Brain Training best selling UK games in 2007
EA Sports football (or "soccer" for the US audience) title FIFA 08 was the best-selling video game in the United Kingdom last year according to Chart-Track (via GamesIndustry.biz). The game reportedly sold 25% percent more than its closest rival, Dr Kawashima's Brain Training. Perhaps surprisingly, Microsoft's flagship Halo 3 came in sixth place with only half of FIFA 08's sales. Both FIFA 08 and Halo 3 were released in late September within days of each other. It should be noted that FIFA 08 was a multiplatform title available on six different consoles and the PC. Top ten list after the break.
EA: PS3 owners hungry for good games
Nope, we're not making any Electronic Arts jokes this time. This is a compliment, believe it or not. EA recently talked about the release of FIFA '08, saying that upon its release "the PS3 numbers were 75 per cent of the Xbox 360 numbers, despite the 360 having a massively higher install base ... That's not that the 360 has underperformed, not for a moment. That's because the appetite for a quality game on the PS3 is there and maybe FIFA is the first game to come and show where the quality is." Either that or a lot of PS3 owners love soccer. Football. Wherever you are local.EA also touted the PS3 price cut as a source of increased game demand, saying that even with the smaller install base and recent surge in sales, "the PS3 outpunches its weight in attachment to the hardware." That phrase didn't make much sense to us, so we're assuming this is in relation to the competition? If not, whatever, our misinterpretation. How do you guys feel? Hungry for good games, or are you growing satiated with the current releases?
FIFA '08 headed to Mac?
Inside Mac Games reports that one of their readers, while registering FIFA '08 for the PC on the Windows side of Boot Camp, noticed that EA has both PC and Mac versions of the uberpopular soccer -- sorry, football -- videogame listed for registration. And that's a pretty good indication, of course, that FIFA '08 is on its way for the Mac.Personally, I've never really gotten into videogame soccer-- the last soccer game I really loved was Nintendo World Cup way back in 1990. And while I hear that Winning Eleven is the biggest star in the genre right now (although Sensible Soccer, I know, has its fans), FIFA is definitely still competitive. Lots of football fans, I'm sure, would love to see it on the Mac.So we'll see. Obviously no release date yet (although a good guess would be by the end of '08 -- snicker), and we'll see if EA just slipped up or if they really plan to release this one. But FIFA '08 would be yet another nice addition to the growing line of games for our platform.
Worldwide PS3 releases for the week of October 7
Happy Folklore week! Sure, Japan has had it for a couple of months now but since then we've been waiting patiently for the localisation process to be completed. This week our waiting pays off. But Folklore isn't the only big hitter to be released this week. Here's the full release list:US Games FIFA 08 Folklore Sega Rally Revo European Games Skate NBA 08 Folklore Asian Games NBA Live 08 Rise From Lair The Godfather: The Don's edition Not a bad haul. We're really pleased to see that Folklore is being released in the same week in Europe and America. We're also happy to see Skate finally get its PS3 release over in Europe. As for Asia, we're intrigued to see how well Lair (named Rise From Lair over there) sells, considering its critical acclaim. Don't forget, if there's a game on the list that looks interesting to you then feel free to order it, regardless of territory. Your PS3 loves games from other regions. Release dates are subject to constant change, so make sure you check with your local store before venturing out of the house.
DS releases for the week of September 24th
Feel like learning? We sure hope so, since that seems to be the theme for this week's releases, at least in the U.S. Personally, we'd be most interested in learning how to win lots of money at poker, but we're not sure World Series of Poker falls in line with most of this week's titles ... if only it was a training game! Animal Genius Crayola Treasure Adventures Math Play Race Driver: Create & Race World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets To see what's up with the rest of the globe this week, jaunt on past the break.
Worldwide PS3 releases for the week of September 24th
Whoosh! That's the sound of games literally flying off the production lines and onto shelves. Today's release list is possibly the best yet. Remember when we were having weeks like these? Thank goodness those are over. Here's the full release list:US Games Skate World Series of Poker 2008 EU Games Stuntman: Ignition SEGA Rally FIFA 08 Ratatouille Asian Games Warhawk The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion This week at least one high profile game being released in each territory. We're intrigued to see how Oblivion and Warhawk will do over there here in Japan. All of these games are subject to the constant change in whim of the Game Fates, so don't start moaning if any last-minute delays occur. It's not our fault.If you see something on that list that you like the look of, but it's not in your region, then don't fret. Simply import the game and play it on your region free PS3. Simple. Which titles will you be picking up?
Fifa 08 and Spiderman: FOF demos on XBLM
It was a long time coming -- a demo was expected by the end of August -- but a demo for FIFA 08 has finally landed on Marketplace. A demo has also appeared for the new beat 'em up Spiderman: Friend or Foe. FIFA 08, as you might imagine, focuses on soccer (AKA football), whereas Spiderman: FOF focuses on kicking the crap out of copious baddies. The twist in Spiderman: FOF is that you'll find yourself fighting alongside some of Spidey's biggest enemies. The twist in the FIFA demo is that it's not available in Europe yet. Don't fret though, European readers, for Major Nelson notes that the demo should be crossing the pond "very soon." In the meantime, why not lay the smack down (you know, pugilistic shenanigans) on some hapless comic book villains?
PS3 becomes home to FIFA Interactive World Cup 2008
Do you have what it takes to be the world's best virtual football player? The FIFA Interactive World Cup begins this October, and the Grand Final will take place in the Sony Centre in Berlin next May. Players will be able to compete in one of twenty FIWC Qualifier Events around the world, or online through the PlayStation Network. Not only will players be vying for fame, but the grand prize winner will receive a cash prize of $20,000 USD. The FIWC will be open exclusively to PS3 players.Simon Rutter, VP Sales & Marketing for SCEE commented: "With the added realism that PS3 brings to FIFA 08, we have every belief that now is the time to truly make an impact with the FIFA Interactive World Cup, We're looking forward to PS3 fans helping to make the tournament every bit as iconic for gamers as the real FIFA World Cup is for football fans." While Xbox 360 enjoys a superior version of American football in Madden 2008, it appears that the rest of the world will enjoy a superior soccer game on PS3 through FIFA 2008. Which game of "football" will reign supreme? Registration for the FIWC opens today at www.FIFA.com/FIWC.
EA finally makes sports game that (shock!) runs at 60fps on PS3
Maybe EA has finally learned the importance of the PS3 community. Maybe they finally tackled the challenges of developing for Sony's next-gen hardware. Or maybe EA wanted gamers to just shut up about the 60 fps debacle caused by Madden 2008. Whatever the reason, EA representatives were keen to make note that the upcoming FIFA 08 was, in fact, running at 60 fps on both the Xbox 360 and PS3. At Leipzig, the development team showed the game off on PS3, highlighting that the game wasn't sloppily ported for our platform. Rather, it was developed from the ground-up for both platforms. That's the way it always should've been, EA.
FIFA 08 Wii: Mii-supported party games, dev talks Wii vs. Xbox One
For the Wii version of FIFA 08, Electronic Arts has turned Brazilian footballer (or soccer player, for those in the US) Ronaldinho into his own Mii character and included a Wii-only collection of multiplayer minigames dubbed "Footii Party with Ronaldinho" that gamers can play using their own Mii characters. Yes, folks, another Wii title with an added minigame collection, only this time we get a football legend with an unarguably large grimace to host. While discussing FIFA with Eurogamer, group producer Tim Tschirner was asked his thoughts on the Wii's horsepower. Tschirner said that the console is "about as powerful as the original Xbox," though noting that the video hardware "unfortunately is not as powerful." Shaders were cited as an issue, which is something we heard previously when Newsweek's N'Gai Croal discussed Wii and Xbox One similarities with anonymous developers. Not that the hardware limitations have hurt its sales, mind you, so can't we all just get along? %Gallery-3967%
Plastic legs score a goal in FIFA 08 teaser trailer
Assuming you really love watching some quick footwork by some plastic-looking legs, you'll probably get a ... prepare yourself ... kick out of this teaser trailer. Oh no we didn't! In all honesty, EA has made some fairly lofty improvements regarding the next installment of FIFA. Like having superstar Ronaldinho grace the cover. Other improvements? We imagine graphics, gameplay, pretty much everything that crippled last year's game. It's all in good fun and shows what we can expect -- nicely rendered grass, possibly some insanely improved ball-handling mechanics, and people cheering. Cheering people are awesome.
FIFA 08 scores with Ronaldinho, blesses PS3 & Wii
EA didn't shock the world with its surprise confirmation of FIFA 08 today, but PlayStation 3 and Wii owners might be pleased with the assurance that versions of the soccer sim are in development for their consoles, along with Xbox 360, PS2, PSP, DS, PC, and mobile platforms. A strong marketing initiative appears to be the key feature of this year's iteration, with Barcelona's midfielder and two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldo de Assís Moreira, or simply Ronaldinho, being brought on as the "center-piece" for the global packaging campaign. From country to country, Ronaldinho will be joined by other carefully selected stars, whose celebrity will help drive predictable profits. But EA claims it's not just paying these footballers for a picture, as several participating athletes will be carefully studied under the lens of a mocap camera deep within a private facility in Barcelona for authentic virtual representation. As for the rest of the league's players? Well, you just can't pay 'em all... FIFA 08 is being developed by EA Canada in Vancouver and is scheduled for a worldwide release this fall.
FIFA franchise coming to PS3
EA Vancouver will be developing the next reiteration in the series, FIFA 08. This marks a prominent series introduction to the Sony console, as the last crippled FIFA game hit all systems except the PS3. The first showing of a FIFA on the PS3 might even push system sales by convincing soccer fanatics the PS3 can provide high-profile titles as well as lucrative sports franchises. Soccer champ Ronaldinho will grace this year's cover, with several other prominant soccer stars assisting with motion-capture. FIFA 08 will be availablle in the fall, on every console known to man (but more importantly, the PlayStation 3).
