FIFA-2009
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UK chart get: Wii Fit still on top, FIFA 09 takes 2nd spot
Wii Fit has been selling extremely well, taking the top spot for the seventh week in a row, Chart-Track data shows. In fact, a record of nine weeks in a row was set by Who Wants to be a Millionaire (no platforms mentioned), and Nintendo's Balance Board bundle is on pace to tie that record should it frequent the top spot for the next two weeks. Unsurprisingly, soccer football game FIFA 09 managed to take the second spot, pushing last week's second place holder, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, down to third. Interesting to note is the inclusion of Battlestations: Pacific on the list. The game only released in the UK last week for Xbox 360 and PC, and managed to win the battle for last place, taking up the tenth spot.
Trophies: FIFA 09
1 Platinum 2 Gold 17 Silver 27 Bronze Difficulty: Moderate Online Trophies? Yes Time to Completion: 100 hours DLC Trophies? Yes* *Trophies requiring DLC are highlighted in yellow. View Trophy List Read More About the Game %Gallery-26544%
Europe loves its FIFA 09, 1.25 million games logged daily
According to EA-supplied FIFA 09 statistics, gamers around the globe (see: Europe) have averaged 1.25 million online games per day since its release this past Fall. Selling 7.8 million copies in 2008 probably factors into that number somewhat. The statistical goods keep coming, with EA revealing that FIFA 09 is EA Sports' most successful online game, boasting a 321% increase over its FIFA predecessor in daily games played, and seeing 141 million games logged on all platforms since launch. That's a lot of gamers taking to the field to bend it like Beckham.
FIFA is the new Madden, in the UK
Some interesting statistics about Electronic Arts' recently launched FIFA 09 in the U.K. (via Chart Track): It is currently beating the sales rate of FIFA08 -- itself a bestselling UK game last year -- by 37.5%. It debuted at the top of the PlayStation 2, PS3, PSP and Xbox 360 charts. Of those sales, 42% were on Xbox 360, making it the 3rd fastest selling game on Microsoft's format (behind GTA IV and Halo 3), while 40% were on PS3 where it is the 2nd fastest selling game (behind GTA IV). 11% go to PS2, 3% to PSP and the rest for PC, Wii and DS. Just goes to show you that no matter the culture or continent, EA owns football. See the full top 10 list of All Formats software sales after the break.
PS3 becomes home to FIFA Interactive World Cup 2009
Do you have what it takes to be the world's best virtual football player? The FIFA Interactive World Cup begins this October. Players will be able to compete at one of 19 physical FIWC 09 Qualifier Events across the globe, kicking off in New Zealand on October 25 and covering countries all over the world, including Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Italy, South Africa and the United States. Players will also be able to compete for the 13 places available in the final for the best online players via 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 and a KIA Soul. The second place winner will receive $5,000 and third place will win $1,000. Players will be able to start practicing now with the demo available on the Store -- but to get in the competition, they'll have to buy the full game when it launches later next month. For more information on the Inetractive World Cup, visit www.FIFA.com/FIWC.
FIFA 09 taking inspiration from closest rival
The annual match-up between FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer is often a closely fought contest, though as last year's revelatory Wii version of PES ran away with the plaudits, EA has decided to play it safe: basically, it's copying the opposition. Hence, FIFA 09 will ship with the same "point-and-pass" mechanics that received so much admiration in PES 2008, and we can't say we blame them. Combine this with EA's usual level of spit and polish, a Wii exclusive eight-on-eight mode, and a special casual-friendly mode with blobby, Mii-like players, and this year's winner may come from the EA camp. Hit the gallery for tubby versions of everybody's favorite soccer players, but sadly none of ENGLAND HERO Theo Walcott. %Gallery-26660%
FIFA 09 demo kicks its way onto the XBLM
Available prior to the game's official release next month, EA Sports just released a shiny new FIFA 09 demo to the Xbox Live Marketplace. The 740MB demo is available for download in all Live regions and (according to the demo description) features "more responsive first-time shooting, passing, one-touches plus faster and more controlled dribbling and improved trapping." Oh, and for those who are confused over what the heck "FIFA" actually is, think football if you live in Europe and soccer if you're Stateside. Have fun downloading and demoing!
FIFA 09: debut trailer, demo release date, adidas Live Season mode
Here's the first trailer released for FIFA 09, the newest iteration of the popular soccer franchise. The game is looking great, though some may complain the character models don't look enough like the actual players. You also won't have to wait long to try it out for yourself: the demo will be available from the PSN starting September 11st worldwide. Furthermore, EA has announced a new "premium service" (meaning it might cost money) called adidas Live Season. This service will provide a weekly update for each player's stats according to their performance in real-life games from the launch of FIFA 09 to the end of the 2008-09 season. It will be only available for Barclay's Premier League, La Liga BBVA, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Serie A and Mexican Primera Division. Finally, there's a gameplay video and trailer, after the jump.
FIFA 09 official website kicks off
The official site for FIFA 09 has debuted with three new screeshots from the PS3 version for your viewing pleasure. Heavy emphasis is still placed on the 250 changes to be expected in the lastest version of the popular soccer/football franchise. Not much new information other than what we reported on before is revealed, and still no word on what the PS3 exclusive mode will be either. You can even place a pre-order at the EA Store; however, only a general release date autumn 2008 has been given at this time. %Gallery-26544%
FIFA 09 screens are goal-eriffic
Remember that whole thing about Mii versions of your favorite soccer stars? Lo and behold, we've come across the first images for FIFA 09, and it's looking pretty fast-kickingly good. Ronaldhino (the guy who clearly uses special effects and isn't really that good) and Wayne Rooney head up the cast of for Footii Match mode. The graphics look great, to be completely honest. FIFA 09 on the Wii will never be the best-looking version, but it includes the full simulation of regular FIFA gameplay along with the arcade-style modes. Since Wii owners are very accustomed to Mii characters by now, there's every reason to add light-hearted gameplay into the mix. If it's as good as Mario Strikers: Charged, then we're looking at a winner. %Gallery-26660%
FIFA 09 wants to score so badly
EA knows that football soccer is a somewhat popular sport. Maybe not as popular as curling, but it does its best to fit in. On account of the FIFA series being super popular, EA has revealed just how hard they worked to create each version of FIFA 09. Instead of just a simple Wii port with waggle additions, Andrew Wilson of EA says they "have innovated features, created new modes and designed controls that are tailored to each specific platform." FIFA 09 is part of the recently revealed All-Play series, used to market EA's line of Wii sports games. It will feature a standard 11 vs. 11 simulation mode (with "refined motion and point-and-play controls"), and the 8 vs. 8 Footii Match mode. Footii Match is an arcade-style mode featuring Mii versions of various soccer stars (like Ariaga, Ariaga 2, Bariaga, Aruglia and Pizzoza) and the gameplay will be fast and furious -- similar to the recent Madden trailers. The All-Play series has really put the Wii where it needs to be when it comes to sports games. After a little bit more research, we discovered soccer is a little more popular than originally thought (somewhere in the vicinity of Most. Popular. Game. Ever), so EA is on the right track by giving it the specialized attention it needs. [Via press release]
FIFA Soccer 09 for PS3 will have exclusive game mode
An interview over at Gamespot with FIFA Soccer 09 producer David Rutter has revealed new information about the upcoming sports game. 30 leagues and 40 national teams are at your disposal this year, while the magic number of 250 key changes as reported before remain true. Highlights of upgrades from the previous year include improvements in "responsiveness, physical play and their affect through attributes, plus the AI." Different types of players are less homogeneous and you will have to utilize different types of players to achieve victory. A Custom Team Tactics mode will be introduced where 11 sliders or criteria will allow you to determine how your team will play. There is also a promise of 140 attacking and 40 defensive options. The ever-popular Be A Pro career mode will allow you to play unlocked, meaning one has the option of a change of position and still gain experience. Friends can likewise choose to act as a teammate or opponent to the player in this mode. Lastly, Rutter promises a to talk about "a game mode exclusive to that system," referring to the PS3, later in the year. We'll keep you updated as details of the mode becomes available. %Gallery-26544%
Improvements abound in FIFA '09
Another year, another round of sports games. Usually regarded as rehashes with slight tweaks, every so often one of the annual sports titles gets a significant makeover. For 2009, that title appears to be FIFA '09 out of the Electronic Arts office ('06 is pictured). GamesMaster magazine published an article about the title, boasting 250 improvements made to the game including responsiveness and a revamped collision system. The responsiveness is improved by allowing "quicker release of the ball, greater urgency in the off-the-ball running, a new jostle system that takes into account the strength of the players when going shoulder to shoulder and subtle animations that enable players to take first-time shots." The collision system calculates speed, weight, and power as characters collide; each player has unique stats. If you get hit hard in your standing leg, the tackled player may not be able to continue playing that game. If you're just clipped, your character will probably be all right. So, for those who've wanted these things changed, there you go.
