fifa 07
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360 FIFA 07 not gimped?
In the latest Xbox.com newsletter, there's an interesting tidbit about FIFA 07. Readers may recall that the 360 "exclusive" next gen version of FIFA 07 was to feature only 1/4 of the leagues available to the current gen version. It would seem then, that Xbox.com and EA are at odds on this issue, as the newsletter plainly states:"...FIFA 07 returns to the highs and lows of club football. The fab franchise delivers complete authenticity with licences for all the world's top leagues, from over 20 nations." [Emphasis ours]Could this be true? Could EA actually not be screwing its next-gen fans? We checked the official FIFA site and it still shows only 7 leagues. What gives? Is Xbox.com unknowingly talking about the Xbox version? Frankly, we're betting that FIFA is still crippled, or worse, the remaining leagues will cost you MS Points.[Thanks, KineticOnline]
Tons of new X06 Marketplace content
Following today's press briefing, there is now a boatload of new trailers on Marketplace. They are, in no particular order:Assassin's CreedBlue DragonLost OdysseyHalo WarsViva PiñataCall of Duty 3Marvel UniverseBanjo-KazooiePGR4Splinter Cell: Double AgentBioshockFIFA 07All this and a bag of DOOM. We have to wonder, though: what the hell will we get next? They've got two more days to fill after all. Any predictions?
FIFA 360 deserves red card, EA gyps again
It's as simple as this: FIFA 07 for Xbox 360 will include 7 professional leagues (actually, just 6, as Juventus is the only team featured from Italy Serie B) and 21 stadiums for $59.99. FIFA 07 for Xbox/PS2 will feature 28 leagues and 47 stadiums for just $39.99. Which one you buyin'? Heck, even the thrifty ($29.99) DS version's got 25 leagues packed inside that tiny cart, which begs the question: what's limiting EA's "next-gen" sports releases? Both FIFA and Madden continue to lack content and features present in the Xbox and PS2 versions. The good news is, Pro Evolution Soccer's arrival on Xbox 360 will likely encourage EA to clean up its act for the next go-around. Unfortunately, without competition, the same can't be said for Madden ... [Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
360 FIFA gets 1/4 the leagues of PS2, Xbox [update 1]
Leave it to EA to prove that they are still the "evil" EA. Long story short, EA has completely nerfed the "exclusive" 360 version of FIFA 07. For this wonderful exclusive, EA has decided to remove an entire 18 soccer leagues, leaving the 360 with a paltry 7. Even the 7 is misleading, as one of those leagues has only one team in it. One team! On top of all this, the 360 version is also getting less than half of the stadiums of it's last gen brethren (21 compared to 47 on Xbox and PS2). Granted, we're all Americans here at 360 Fanboy, and thus not soccer fans by default, but this is ri-goddamn-diculous. Anybody else want to bet that EA just might be expecting us to buy the missing content with MS Points? Shame on you EA. Why release the game at all? [Via Xboxic] Update: Fixed continuity error
EuroGamer: MS pwned Leipzig
EuroGamer discusses Microsoft's dominance at the Leipzig Game Convention. Choice quotes: "The PR victory scored by Microsoft here cannot be underestimated. The power of the company's spin machine continues to leave the rest of the games industry in awe even after an entire console generation of experience" ..."There is a very clear winner, and a very clear loser, in the Leipziger Messe this week, as 150,000 consumers are currently finding out - and hundreds of press types have already discovered. The winner is Microsoft." Being European, these guys make a big deal out of Microsoft cornering the soccer market. However, 1up reports that MS may have..gulp..exaggerated (normally a Sony trademark) the extent of that coup (It looks like Pro Evo/Winning 11 and FIFA are "exclusive" only until the Konami and EA can finish developing them for the PS3). Was Sony's lack of a response due to calm knowledge that MS was over-selling its football shut out, or just their usual "Riiiiidge Racer" corporate buffoonery? [Thanks Charch & Lorul2]
FIFA and Pro Evo sock it to Sony
In a Zidane-style head butt to the World Cup dreams of PS3 fanboys across the globe, Microsoft announced that both FIFA 2007 and Pro Evolution Soccer 6 will be exclusive to the Xbox 360 for at least a year. Always eloquent Xbox Europe boss Chris Lewis said it best: "Xbox 360 owns football." This shut out probably won't shatter too many shins stateside, but it should provide an added edge in the football-crazed international market. GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL! [Thanks Rogue Soul]
360 exclusives won't hinder PS3 sales, unless...
Unless you really can't get enough of those FPS's and sports titles (in which case you probably have either the original Xbox or the 360 already). That was a joke -- don't take it personally. Although Microsoft has acquired a 12-month exclusivity deal for next-gen FIFA and Pro-Evolution Soccer, this won't damage PS3 sales in the UK (since soccer is a bigger deal there than the US, "supposedly"). Marketing Director of Chips, a retail franchise, said that "Microsoft is really pulling out the big guns, but it won't change sale predictions for the PS3 due to the hearts and minds that Sony had already won over." Brand loyalty to the rescue, huh? Independant stores like Action Replay and Gameshop (not Gamestop) agree, saying how the PS3 will sell all its allocation even if there's no... killer app. That's such a terrible term, but it's growing more common. Anyway. While this may or may not end up true, other groups do concede that Microsoft has made a mighty beast with their marketing and sales angle. What do you think? Will brand loyalty help keep Sony afloat until they do find their... killer app? Terrible term. Anyway.
Microsoft head butts FIFA, Pro Evo Soccer into exclusivity
Speaking at the Leipzig Games Convention, Microsoft has announced that if you want to play the most graphically impressive footy games without gallivanting outside and running the risk of getting someone's head lodged in your chest, you'll have to do it on the Xbox 360. In what is sure to be a valuable coup, both FIFA 2007 and Pro Evolution Soccer 6 are bound exclusively to the Xbox 360 for a period of 12 months. The latter game is hugely popular in Europe and may prove to be quite a head butting killer app for Microsoft's next-generation console. The exclusivity doesn't include current generation consoles, it seems, but a significantly improved 360 version of Pro Evolution Soccer with Xbox Live support would likely prove irresistable to most. As for FIFA, well, it has "ultra realistic player motion and delivers complete responsiveness due to its ability to branch animations and the real-time calculation of real human biomechanics," according to producer Hugues Ricour. "Essentially our software engineers are writing human decision-making code." Look forward to not making a decision at all regarding the console when you buy a next-gen soccer game in 2007.
FIFA 07 features
Who knew you would be able to use the DS microphone for a soccer game? We can only imagine the number of people barking at their DS's louder than they bark "Yellow!" at Brain Age in a crowded area. Go Nintendo has the scoop on the newest FIFA game and what all it will do on the DS. Custom Charts via microphone and a new Touch Run feature using the (durr) stylus is just what it needs. Try to not pop a blood vessel when screaming at your team and remember how those idiots yelling "yellow, damn it!" at the DS look when playing.
Blocky new FIFA 07 screens
Go Nintendo has some screens up from FIFA 07 for the DS and let's just say, it's not too difficult to figure out why the DS version netted IGN's lowest rating of last year's series. We're hoping the quality of the screens themselves are somewhat to blame for any cosmetic issues. If not ... well, customized chants only go so far, after all. Can we get a side of improved graphics with that?
